Cypria

Christmas in Greece

Are you trying to decide where to go on your Christmas holidays and still haven't made up your mind? Why not consider Christmas in Greece? True, it is not the traditional Christmas holiday destination, but it has so much to offer that it will be one of the most unforgettable holidays in your life!

There are two sides to Christmas in Greece; one is religious and solemn, while the other is festive and glamorous. Both of them have their charm. Most towns in Greece are decorated with bright lights, bells, angels and other Christmasy objects. According to Christmas traditions in Greece, the patron saint of the holiday is Saint Nicolas, who is also the protector of sailors. For this reason, you will often see boats decorated with many sparkling lights, rather than the traditional Christmas trees. The Christmas season in Greece begins on December 6 th, which is Saint Nicolas day, and ends on January 6 th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophania). Celebrations really pick-up from the 20 th of December, as Christmas day gets closer. If you are an amateur photographer, you will be constantly taking Christmas pictures in Greece.

Christmas Shopping in Greece

Christmas shopping in Greece is an absolute delight. Streets are packed with people buying Christmas gifts for their loved ones, as well as Christmas carolers singing Christmas songs. Since gifts are traditionally given on New Year's Eve, Christmas shopping in Greece continues way after the 25 th of December. Shops are decorated with all the usual Christmas ornaments, and an upbeat atmosphere is apparent as you walk along the streets and in the shops. Therefore, Xmas shopping in Greece isn't just shopping. It's a festive experience!

Christmas Festivities in Greece

If you come to Greece at Christmas, you will have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of events and festivities. In the country's major cities, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Heraklion, etc, the municipal authorities organize music concerts, theatrical performance, and a number of other cultural events. Christmas in Athens is a fantastic time of the year. The largest Christmas tree in Europe is lit in Syntagma Square, the location of the capital's Christmas village, where little elf houses sell candy and children can take part in a number of activities. There is no limit to Christmas fun in Greece!

Christmas Traditions in Greece

Greece is a country where traditions and customs are a part of everyday life. Most holidays in Greece are celebrated traditionally, and Christmas in no exception. Christmas caroling is very popular, and although you might hear them being sung at any given moment during the holiday season, there are actually three "official" caroling days. The custom is that children go from house to house singing the carol, with the accompaniment of a triangle, and residents of the houses give them a small amount of money. Greek Christmas carols (calanda) are sung on the mornings of Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany.

According to tradition, during the Greek 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 6), goblins come out to tease people and eat their food. This tradition is based on the legend that the "waters aren't christened" since Christ has not yet been baptized. The goblins are renowned for their ugliness and their impishness. They are not very intelligent and can't really hurt anybody. It is said that they enter houses through chimneys, and this is the reason people, especially in villages, keep the fireplace lit during the 12 days of Christmas.

In many parts of Greece, people hang a pomegranate above the front door of their house. By the New Year, when the fruit will have dried, Greeks throw it on the ground so it breaks, and step into their house on their right foot. According to tradition, this brings good luck for the year to come.

Christmas Food in Greece

Christmas, like many other holidays in Greece, is a time for feasting. In the past years, Christmas turkey has become very popular as the main dish of the holiday. Traditionally, the main course of Christmas dinner in Greece is roast pork, with a variety of side delicacies. No matter what the main dish is, one thing is certain: Christmas food in Greece is delicious!

Melomakarona and kourabiedes are the two varieties of Christmas and New Year's cookies in Greece. The first are semolina, cinnamon, and clove cookies drenched in honey, while the second are rosewater and fresh butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar that are normally served on New Year's but many succumb to temptation and begin consuming them earlier.

Christopsomo is the bread that is made on Christmas Eve, which has a cross carved into the top crust before it is baked. On Christmas Day, the head of the household makes the sign of the cross above the loaf of bread, cuts it and gives a piece to each person at the dining table.

Vasilopita is a cake that is eaten on New Year's Day. Before the cake is baked, a coin covered in foil is placed in it. The New Year is written on top of the cake with almonds. The person who cuts the cake makes the sign of the cross three times above it and then starts serving the pieces, one to each person, the house, Christ, The Virgin Mary and Saint Vasileios. Whoever has the coin in his piece of cake will have luck for the rest of the year.

Religious Christmas in Greece

Due to the nature of the Christian Orthodox religion, Christmas is a very religious holiday in Greece. The season starts of with Saint Nicolas day and continues with many other saints' days up till Christmas. It is customary for those of faith to go to church on Christmas morning for the religious service. New Year's Day is also Saint Vasileios day. The Christmas season winds down with the Theophania on January 6 th. On this day around Greece, waters are blessed and a cross is thrown into the waters. Dozens of brave young people dive into the freezing water to retrieve the cross, which is said to bring good luck to the person that reaches it first.

Christmas in Greece: Holiday Destinations

Some of the most charming features in Greece are its villages, especially those located on the beautiful mountainsides. At Christmas time in Greece, the tall mountains are snowcapped, as are the lush evergreen trees that cover the countryside. Most villages in Mainland Greece have picturesque stone-brick houses and narrow alleyways, which in the wintertime, resemble a small Santa's village. They are the ideal places to spend a white Christmas in Greece!

If you want to fit some skiing or other winter sports into your Christmas holiday in Greece, we recommend staying a while in one of the many winter resorts in the countryside. Most offer quaint accommodations that are located close to snow centers. The most popular snow centers are Parnassos near the town of Arcahova, Pertouli and Pilio in the region of Thessaly, Tymfristos in the Karpenissi area, Helmos in the town of Kalavrita, Mainalos in Vytina, Peloponnese, Vasilitsa in Grevena and Kaimaktsalan in Edessa.

 

via www.united-hellas.com

Latouros Restaurant - Mazotos, Cyprus

Mazotos is a small village in Cyprus, numbering about 1200 inhabitants and situated at about 20km west of Larnaca. It's off the beaten track and the bright touristy attractions of the island. But that's where you can find Latouros Restaurant which caters practically for every taste. Having visited most restaurants and tavernas on the outskirts of Larnaca, Latouros Restaurant is by far the best restaurant ever in the area. It is right next to Aldiana Hotel on the old road to Zygi and Limassol.

The new owner will greet you and welcome you personally, whether you are a repeat customer or visiting for the first time. The rest of the staff are friendly and helpful and really make you feel "at home" even though the service is not always fast. But Latouros Restaurant isn't a fast food restaurant and , believe me, it's worth waiting 20 minutes for your meal to arrive. Try their grilled seabream (lavraki) right out of the fisherman's net -the shore is only 2 km away- or try their barbecue (souvla) and ofton kleftikon usually served on Sundays. Have a glass of their homemade wine - made by a friend of the owner at the village of Dora. And... Don't say no to their homemade pishies for dessert -served with nuts and honey. You'll love them!

Soutsos Taverna - Pervolia, Larnaca

 

Photo by Anastasia for Cypria

Soutsos Taverna is located at the picturesque village of Pervolia at about 14 km south of Larnaca, Cyprus. Since I first discovered it two years ago, it's been one of my favourite haunts on a Sunday outing. Although the taverna features some international dishes for the less adventurous, I wouldn't recommend them. Soutsos is by far one of the best tavernas in Cyprus specialising in local cuisine. Try their copious meze, their divine souvlaki and sheftalies, their moussaka, their afelia or their king size grilled calamari.The staff are very friendly and helpful - and the service is fast and efficient.  Rembetica live music and Cypriot dancing will entertain you every Friday and Saturday night.

 Starters at Soutsos

Photo by Anastasia for Cypria

Souvlakia with Sheftalies and crispy chips

Photo by Anastasia for Cypria

In the winter, the taverna has two large fireplaces which create a very cosy atmosphere while you are enjoying your meal.

For reservations (strongly recommended):

24424832 / 99682957

Rethymno, Crete

Where is it?:
Rethymno is located on the northwestern coast of the Greek island of Crete, west of Heraklion and east of Chania. Like numbers? Here's the latitude and longitude: 24° 32' 3" E. Latitude: 35° 12' 52" N.

Photo Credit

Why You Should Go:
Less hectic than Heraklion, with better shopping than Chania, this is a Cretan small city that grows on you.

If you're traveling to Greece during Carnival Season, Rethimno puts on a memorable one. They also have a summer-long cultural festival.

Photo Credit - Rethymno Harbour

Where to Stay and Dine:
Find a room in the old Venetian-Turkish section for an evocative stay close to several days' worth of dining and shopping. The Hotel Ideon is conveniently located near both the harbor and the old town. For the more adventurous, try Olga's Pension, an unusual collection of rooms above the old shoemaker's street.

Hotels in Rethymno

For dining, Taverna Gounas is renowned for its live Cretan music and traditional atmosphere, though the food may be a bit too traditional for some - simple boiled lamb and boiled chicken are the house specialties; Taverna Castelo, in an old Venetian building without a roof, provides starlit fine dining which may make you completely rethink Greek cuisine. But the restaurant choices are abundant, and it's hard to stay faithful to the idea of returning to that cute taverna you noticed in the afternoon once dinner time arrives.

Don't Miss Seeing:
The Venetian fortress provides a long, cool place to walk along the seawall, especially at sunset when you'll find yourself accompanied by many Greeks - some even jogging.

Travel Tip:
A taxi to or from Heraklion will cost you about €40 ($50). If you don't mind dragging your own luggage, regular buses travel several times a day between the two cities for just a few Euro per person.

via gogreece.about.com

Golden Valentine's at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel, Larnaca, Cyprus

In the past few years, it's been a tradition for The Golden Bay Beach Hotel to celebrate love by organising a romantic gala dinner on Saint Valentine's Day. Love and Romance were in the air as soon as you stepped into Les Etoiles Restaurant amongst rose petals decorating the floor. Marina, the PR Officer and Nikos, the Assistant Maitre D', welcomed the guests offering a gorgeous red rose to the ladies. Then the heart and soul of the restaurant, Kyriacos - the Maitre D' - showed us to our table. The restaurant was dressed in red and white. Long white linen tablecloths were placed on every table in the middle of which stood a pair of red balloons with white hearts and a white candle in an elegant vase filled with sand and two red hearts. In their hearts of hearts, even the most passionate opponents of Valentine's Day would have given in to romance.

As for the food, it surpassed our expectations. It was an ode to the palate. The first starter - King Prawns and Maki Sushi with soy sauce was followed by marinated duck on Napa exotic salad with honey sauce. The fruit sherbet with calvados prepared the palate for the main course: millefeuille with deer, beef and wild pork on roesti potatoes and a variety of vegetables served with champagne sauce. The dessert was a real work of art : strawberry and rose panacota married to vanilla mousse and coulis sauce. My compliments to the Executive Chef.

And while we were enjoying this divine dinner, the dancers of the group Rythmos - probably the best in Cyprus - were given a big hand. They were truly amazing! And of course we danced away the hours to the love songs of the home band. This unique golden Valentine cost €75 ($100) per person including accommodation for the night.

10 Top Greek Restaurants in Athens

In Athens there is a wide variety of restaurants and tavernas where you can find all sorts of international cuisine. However, in Athens you will also find some of the best Greek restaurants and tavernas in the country. Listed below , you will find the 10 top Greek  restaurants and tavernas in Athens and my rating since they also happen to be my favourite 10. They all specialise in traditional and modern greek cuisine.

1. To Petrino*****

Themistokleous and Academias Street - +30-210-3804100 /3822625

2. To Kafeneion*****

26, Loukianou Str - Kolonaki - +30-210-7229056/7237277

3. Stoa Attalos****

9, Adrianou Str - Thisio - +30-210-3219520/3212488

 4. 1002 NYXTES***

10, Karaiskou str - Psiri - +30-210-3317293

5. 48 The Restaurant*****

48 Armatolon Klefton - Ampelokipi - +30-210-6411082

6. Achinos*****

51, Akti Themistokleous - Freatida, Pireus - +30-210-4526944

7. To Kouti****

23, Adrianou - Thisio - +30-210- 3213229

8. Tzitzikas kai Mermingas****

26, Aeschylou str and Ayiou Georgiou - Chalandri - +30-210-6810529

9. Peri Orexeos Oudis Logos****

43, Ayias Zonis - Kypseli - +30-210-8617493

10. O Geros tou Moria*****

27, Mnisikleous str - Plaka - +30-210-3221753

 

FROM CONSTANTINOS - GUEST AUTHOR

The Cyprus Wine Contest

Commandaria takes the only gold medal

By Philippos Stylianou

COMMANDARIA, the sweet wine of Cyprus, probably the oldest of its kind in the whole world, was the only Grand Gold Medal winner in the first Cyprus Wine Contest, recently organised by the Vine Commission in Limassol.

The two big wineries of Limassol KEO and ETKO, both with a long tradition in this exclusive Cyprus product, received the coveted prize from President Papadopoulos, the former for its St. John Commandaria and the latter for St. Nicholas.

After sampling a total of 127 products for two days, the five-member judging committee composed of expert wine tasters, also awarded 7 Gold Medal to two red dry, four white dry and one white sweet table wine and 29 Silver Medals to wines of various categories.

Special award

No Bronze Medals were awarded since the prize quota of 30% of all entries had already been exhausted.

A special award was also given for wines made from the local Cyprus white xynisteri and red maratheftiko varieties, the first won again by KEO and the second by Krelan Winery Ltd.

A full list of the Grand Gold and Gold prize winners is given at the end in order of success as announced by the organizers.

Vine Commission Director Yiannakis Georgiades said the 1st Cyprus Wine Contest had fulfilled its purpose of encouraging quality competition among wine producers, noting the enthusiastic atmosphere that prevailed during the splendid award ceremony.

"The fact that the medals ran out before we came to bronze goes to show that there is already a very high quality standard for Cyprus wines," he stressed.

Curtain

On a scale of 100, a wine had to get 92-93 marks and above for Grand Gold, 88-91and above for Gold, and 81-82 and above for Silver, according to rules laid down by the International Wine and Vine Organisation.

Speaking at the award ceremony at the Amathus Beach Hotel, Agriculture and Natural Resources Minister Timis Efthymiou said: "Tonight the curtain is raised to a new setting in the enchanting world of wine, inaugurating a new era for establishing the Cyprus wine in the conscience of demaning consumers … The winemaker must meet the expectations of the consumer by investing in the quality, innovation and perfection of their products."

KEO and some other of the wineries participating in the 1st Cyprus Wine Contest had also won medals in the Thessaloniki Wine Contest held one month before.

The President of the Thessaloniki Contest Evangelos Gerovasiliou addressed a message at the Cyprus Wine Contest, while the Viticulture Director of the European Commission’s Agriculture Directorate Russel Mildon was also a speaker.

Labels

The Cyprus Wine Contest has been registered with the European Union, enabling the winners to use the award on their product labels throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

The table of Grand Gold and Gold winners by order of success as given by the Vine Commission is as follows:

Grand Gold: St John Commandaria by KEO Ltd and St. Nicholas Commandaria 1998 by ETKO Ltd.

Gold: 1)Petritis white dry 2004, Kyperounda winery, 2) Ais Ambelis, red dry Shiraz 2004, Oenotechnia Ais Ambelis Ltd, 3) Keo Reisling white dry 2004, Keo Ltd, 4) Cabernet Sauvignon red dry 2004, Kyperounda Winery, 5) Ais Ambelis white dry 2005, Oenotechnia Ais Ambelis, 6) Chardonanay white dry 2005, Sodap Ltd, 7) Moschato, white sweet 2004, Ayia Mavri Winery.

The wines of Cyprus

Cyprus wines open up new roads for tourism
By Leo Leonidou

THE CYPRUS Tourism Organisation has announced a £400,000 Wine Routes Project, which should be up and running in two years.

Vakis Loizides, project leader at the CTO, told the Cyprus Mail that the plan will be implemented within the framework of the overall tourist strategy which has as its main axis, culture and the environment.

“The project combines cultural, touristic, environmental and educational objectives and aims to present and promote Cyprus’ long tradition in wine producing from a multi-dimensional approach.

“It’s expected that the project will strengthen the competitiveness of the island’s tourist product, especially the hinterland, which is a priority of the strategic development plan.”

He added that the project is co-financed by the structural funds of the European Union and covers the five vine producing areas of Laona, Vouni Panagia-Ampelitis, Commandaria, Pitsilia and the Limassol wine villages.

The Cyprus Wine Museum, as well as archaeological and other thematic museums
and traditional wine presses will be included and promoted in the routes.

Loizides explained that the target markets are, “wine lovers, local visitors, sun and sea holidaymakers and cultural and agro tourists.”

The project proposes thirteen different routes in the Paphos, Limassol and
Pitsilia areas.

The first phase will cover six routes, which will be ready by 2008. There will be signposting of routes, organisation of cultural events, the design of a specialised
website and DVD as well as maps and tourist guides for the routes.

Two special routes will be devoted to Commandaria.

“It is well-known that wine-rich Cyprus produced sweet wine in ancient times which
the Crusaders themselves made famous in the west, as the wine of Cyprus when it was still a Byzantine island,” Loizides said.

Seven magazine’s wine expert George Kassianos described the project as a good idea. “Firstly, any sort of Cypriot wine promotion is very good for the image of our island’s wine industry and I’m sure hoteliers will also be pleased as the routes will hopefully attract special interest tourism.”

The 13 Routes
1. Laona:  Akoursos- Kathikas- Pano Kato Arodes- Ineia- Drousia-
Kritou Tera
2. Laona: Kato Akourdalia - Pano Akourdalia- Pegeia
3. Vouni Panagia - Ampelitis:Asprogia- Kanaviou-
AgiosDemetrianos- Psathi- Polemi- Stroumpi- Tsada- Koili
4. Vouni Panagia - Ampelitis: Timi - Anarita -Nata- Aksilou-
Amargeti- Pentalia- Ampelitis- Agia Moni- Moni Chrysorogiatissas- Pano
Panagia
5. Limassol Wine Villages: Mandria- Omodos- Potamiou- Vasa-
Malia- Arsos- Gerovassa- Dora-Pachna- Anogyra- Avdimou
6. Limassol Wine Villages: Kolossi - Erimi -Pano Kivides-Agios
Amvrosios- Vouni- Koilani- Agia Mavri- Pera Pedi
7. Limassol Wine Villages: Pera Pedi - Lofou - Alassa - Lemesos
8. Commandaria wine route: Alassa- Monagri- Doros-Agios Georgios- Silikou-
Kouka- Trimiklini- Lania-Agios Mamas
9. Commandaria wine route: Lemesos Liminiatis- Korfi- Apesia- Gerasa-
Apsiou- Fasoula- Spitali Palodia
10. Wine route Pitsilia: Germasogia - Arkounda - Arakapas- Kalo Chorio-
Zoopigi- Kato Mulos-Agios Ioannis- Agros
11. Wine Route Pitsilia: Spilia- Karvounas- Kyperounta- Dymes- Potamitissa-
Pelendri- Chandria- Afridia
12. Wine route Pitsilia: Askas- Alona- Platanistassa- Livadia- Lagoudera-
Spilia
13. Wine route Pitsilia: Odou- Farmakas-Apliki- Palaichori

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2005

Tsiknopempti

Tsiknopempti (Thursday before Lent for eating grilled meat)

You should decide fast where you will go on Tsiknopempti, one of the most festive days of the year, especially for the restaurant owners. They are waiting impatiently for the plethora of people dying for roasted cuts of meat. Let us not forget that the grill is an ancient Greek delight.  On Tsiknopempti, I personally prefer to stay chez moi, inviting over various friends for the barbecue I do in my kitchen, using the skewer accessory of my oven only on this day of the year. It is a hassle, but going out when all the other people are out on the streets and the tavernas is a greater discomfort for me. However, due to work (Ifinish work at 9 pm)..we're going out to a restaurant tomorrow ...with great friends!

Anyway, for most of us Tsiknopempti is a chance to go out in the middle of the week. I have my favourite grill houses and steak houses, as well as my dearest "good" restaurants, which I would suggest without any hesitation. They are all in the following list.

IN ATHENS
Low-budget

Without a doubt the best grilled meat in the centre of town can be found at "o Τelis", on Euripidou 86, a bit further down from the Main Market. I can’t say it is the best in terms of atmosphere, unless the sui generis clients hanging out at this known joint for the past years is considered atmosphere.  His pork chops, as well as his fried potatoes, are renown.
O Τelis: tel. 210 324 2775
 
One of the most arty and popular taverns these days is the renown "Skoufias" in Petralona, on Troon 63. It has a cute atmosphere (even though it has no central heating and uses petrol and electrical stoves), with stone walls and an artistic air to it. The most famous meat dish here is surely the boned shin, a very tender piece suitable for Ovelix. You will also find plenty of other appetizers, with and without meat.
Skoufias: tel. 210 341 2210

The grill is very common, not only on Tsiknopempti but also on all the other days of the year, at "Elia", on Milopotamou 28 in Ampelokipous. Chef Nikos Tzavelas loves anything that isn’t Lenten! Meaning meat and cheese, and he uses these two raw materials in many dishes. "Elia" has a particularly nice, modern design and noble atmosphere without ???? It is one of the favorite restaurants in the region, especially for feasts after going to the movies.
Elia: tel. 210 691 0100

If your idea of gastronomy on Tsiknopempti includes a casserole from Sfakia (Crete), then we suggest two places: "Krissa Gi" in Marousi and "Kastsourmpo" in Pagrati. Both tavernas specialize in Cretan home cooking, and therefore, aside from the meat which almost every Greek loves, you can find one or two more healthy suggestions, such as herb pies and salads with groats and bulgur. "Krissa Gi" is housed on Ag. Konstantinou 23 in Marousi, and Katsourmpos on Amynta 4,  Proskopon square in Pagrati.
Krissa Gi: tel. 210 805 6666
Kastsourmpo: tel. 210 722 2167

To the North, surely the most renown for his grill is "Tilemaxos" in Kato Kifisia, on Fragokpoulou 19. This taverna is big and simple, it has been around for years, and for years it serves some of the tastiest dishes of grilled meat in Athens. Its skewers are legendary, as are its various grilled meats. It has a great selection of appetizers, classical and non classical. The atmosphere is relaxed and the taverna is especially suitable for big groups of friends and families with children. 
Tilemaxos: tel. 210 807 4015

The best skewers in Athens are made in the taverna "Valentina", on Lukourgou 235 in Kallithea. It is one of my favorite tavernas, with a menu from Russia-Black Sea, and rich, filling skewers from lamb or pork meat. They are always served with raw onions cut in rings over them, sprinkled with cayenne pepper. Along with the skewers you can taste a piroski, as well as a carrot salad with raisins and mayonnaise.
Valentina: tel. 210 943 1871

If you prefer to honor this fully Greek celebration by eating something foreign, then there are two good choices in Athens. Serious meat eaters will find themselves in heaven in the Brazilian "Maracana Grill" on Kolokotroni 55 in Kalithea. Here the notion "all you can eat" is in force, and its specialty is the Brazilian barbecue churrascaro. The waiters go around carrying various platters and trolleys full of food, starting with salads and moving on to various meats. The menu costs 19 Euros, not including dessert nor wine.
Maracana Grill: tel. 210 940 0801

The places selling kebab this year have won over the heart of the Athenians, especially those with Turkish cuisine, and the most fun of all (even though it is hard to find a table) is "Tike" on Xar. Trikoupi & Kritis 27 in Kifisia. The place is very trendy and modern and the kebab are indeed very good. The people: A good example of the people of the northern suburbs in rare… relaxation (but frequent debauch)!
Tike: tel. 210 808 4418

I could not leave out one of the oldest and best kebab places in Athens in this praise of Tsiknopempti. I am referring to the "Tria Asteria" on Melitos 7 in Nea Smirni, a restaurant with Armenian roots and an exquisite kebab (aside from the juicy Caesarian pie, the best in Athens). It would be my personal favorite from all on the above list. The owners are extremely polite and all the variety of appetizers are displayed on big platters, making you ask for "a round of everything". Their desserts are also the best around.
Tria Asteria: tel. 210 93 58 134


A bit more refined

A beautiful, polite but relaxed restaurant for meat is the "North Star" in Kifisia, on Troias & Ionias 37. The Papakosta team (Casa di Pasta, Silver Star, Cubanita) opened it last year, touching the uninhibited appetite for meat that characterizes the Modern Greek. With shades of red and wood, the atmosphere brings to mind a good suburban restaurant in America. The meat is extremely good and the steaks are one of the richest in Athens. And they cook them correctly, according to the real preference of the client.
North Star: tel. 210 800 0108

For many years in the south suburbs, "Silver Star" on Apollonos & Litous 4 in Kavouri, is one of the classical joints for meat, with its reputation of good and rich servings and meat of good quality. It is a classic steakhouse with American standards. Fried food is in equal demand as grilled food.
Silver Star: tel. 210 967 1164

IN NICOSIA

Impeccably clean and well organised, " Vasiliki" is practically hidden in a small arcade behind Agios Antonios municipal market. Taste Vasiliki's homemade pulses, her delicious vegetarian dishes, her plentiful, freshly-cut salads and , of course, a wide variety of meats.

Vasiliki : 28A, Digeni Akrita - tel 22349803

Oi Elladites offer good quality, traditional Greek cuisine, as well as dishes from Asia Minor. Undoubtedly, this is where you can find the best "gyros" in Nicosia. By the way , it's always PACKED, so bookings are necessary even on weekdays.

Oi Elladites - Gonia Pindarou & Evgenias & Antoniou Theodotou  - tel 777777507

I'm sure Mykoniatiko won't disappoint you. In a highly elegant environment, reminiscent of Greek isles, try the absolutely mouthwatering gourounia roasted in the oven . They also rightly boast their beef liver.

Mykoniatiko - 65 Arxiepiskopou Makariou, Kato Lakatamia - tel 22443514

My favourite ! Mathaios will never let you down ! His clientele ranges from politicians and MPs to the average , starving working Greek Cypriot. Pulses, tavas, aromatic gemista, grilled meats and great service !

Mathaios - 6 , 28 October Avenue - tel 22755846

Great ambiance and high quality traditional Greek cuisine. Hubby and I have recently had a great time there and I strongly recommend it although I've only been there once. Try their ovelias, kontosouvli (delicious!) and kokoretsi! Their gyros , however, does not equal the one at Elladites.

Ta Laladika - 175 , Grigori Auxentiou , Agios Dometios - tel 22771537

IN LARNACA !!

I was there with friends last Saturday and wasn't really thrilled... Anyway, their souvlaki and shieftalia are quite tasty.

Kyra Giorgena - 56 Stadiou - tel 24664978

My favourite in Larnaca ! At Artemis, you can eat to your  heart's content the best fresh meats (all charcoal cooked ) in Larnaca district ! Try their biftekakia (small burgers) or their meat assortment and make sure you have some space for their spare ribs ! Wash all that down with an Othello Vintage or a Domain D'Ahera.  Just excellent ! The perfect choice in Larnaca for Tsiknopempti !

Artemis - Arxiepiskopou Makariou -tel 24651555

Costas will greet you at Makenzy Area with a big smile and a heart of gold ! There you can enjoy his special meat meze for only 5 CY pounds - Great price considering the live music: Rembetika on Tuesdays and Fridays ...hopefully tomorrow as well

Mezedopwleion Costas - Makenzy

Nice and cosy ...good food ...nothing really exceptional

To Magkali - tel 24669333 

A CHRISTMAS TREAT

This Savory Stuffed Turkey will enhance your Christmas lunch with a Greek taste that everyone will love. Original recipe yield: 12 servings. Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 4 Hours Ready In: 4 Hours 30 Minutes Servings:  8

---

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (12 pound) whole turkey, thawed
• 3 lemons, juiced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 4 medium onions, chopped
• 2 turkey livers, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground lamb
• 2 1/2 cups long grain white rice
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cups water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

---

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Rinse the turkey inside and out, and pat dry with paper towels. Rub lemon juice all over the turkey and inside the cavity. Set aside.
2. Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add the chopped livers and ground lamb. Cook, stirring to crumble, until evenly browned. Stir in the rice, cinnamon, mint and tomato paste. Mix in 1 cup of the water, and season with salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Fill turkey with the stuffing mixture, and truss. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, and pour the remaining 2 cups of water into the pan. Mix together the remaining lemon juice and melted butter. This is the basting sauce.
4. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, then reduce the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue roasting for 2 more hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C). Baste occasionally with the melted butter and lemon juice.