12 minute read

The Taste of Excellence

EMBRACING the aura of the islands of Crete, we invite at Domes Resorts & Reserves in Crete to savour genuine culinary delights and heartfelt authenticity accompanied by stunning sea views.

Serving up dishes filled to the brim with diversity, variety and gusto, relish the creativity of our culinary teams, each one inspired, expertly trained and full of passion and expertise, and at the cutting edge of their craft.

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A true assault on the senses, gourmet creations abound whatever the time of day, whether you’re looking for a beachside snack, gourmet Cretan delicacies, wine themed fine dining, romantic dining for two, or that perfectly mixed cocktail, chilled glass of fine wine, perfect espresso or delicious snack in any of our bars.

Accompanied by cutting edge design details, the gentle sea breeze and the warmth of the sun, come day or night, let us astound you with expansive menus at our incredible restaurants that wholeheartedly reflect culinary excellence.

Allow us to be your local culinary ambassadors, where each and every bite promises a deliciously wonderful once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experience.

DOMES OF ELOUNDA, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

A NEW EPICUREAN CONCEPT

Providing an overwhelming selection of restaurants and bar options, guests at Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection will be completely spoilt for choice.

View from the interiors of Tholos (right). Left page: Signature restaurant Topos (top) and JapanesePeruvian cuisine at Yaosai (bottom). INSPIRED BY the rich culinary tradition of the Cretan land yet in tune with international gastronomic trends, Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection offers four restaurants, along with its CORE concept and four bars, each one distinct in its culinary offering and style. THOLOS In keeping with the design and ethos of Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection, Tholos restaurant offers endless views over the crystal blue sea and welcomes gusts every morning with an expansive breakfast buffet with special sections for children and vegetarians. Also open for dinner, menus feature an exciting selection of dishes that are authentically Greek and Mediterranean, prepared by the kitchen team with fresh ingredients sourced locally. What’s more, themed nights bring dishes from across the world to ramp up the excitement throughout the season. YAOSAI This elevated Asian Fusion restaurant with views over Spinalonga (Yaosai = Chinese for fortress, in honour of Spinalonga) is more than an Asian restaurant and bar. Serving Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, this is a dining experience not to be missed and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. TOPOS Our signature restaurant serving gourmet gastronomy by the sea features light elegant design that belies the extraordinary level of its cuisine along with breathtaking views. Set against a backdrop of olive groves, this high-dining establishment serves up the freshest seafood and fish, in imaginative dishes cooked to perfection and served on the beach or pier. BLEND Located by the pool, and newly updated with a brand new, bold focus in 2020, Blend Steakhouse elevates the art of sourcing extraordinary cuts of meat from local farms as well as hand-picked locations from all over the globe, cooking them to perfection – exactly as you wish – and serving them alongside beautiful accompaniments. Open for lunch and dinner.

CORE Our delicious Street Food concept, think deli stalls and food trucks dotted around the plaza, serve up cooked-to-order, mouth-watering delicacies from Greece and around the world along with a coffee shop, and an ice cream and waffle bar, while expert mixologists mix perfectly prepared cocktails. Special epicurean events complete this foodie paradise. GRAND DOMES BAR Open throughout the day until midnight, the Grand Domes Lobby Bar artfully mixes a classic luxurious setting comprised of glimmering chandeliers and smooth marble with perfectly mixed cocktails, premium spirits and fine wines by the glass and is a firm favourite in Elounda nightlife.

BREEZE ALL DAY BEACH LOUNGE Located right on the private beach, Breeze All Day Beach Lounge is the place to be for that aromatic cup of coffee, iced cocktails, beer or juice. Yaosai Pool Bar - The elegant Yaosai Pool Bar sits on the edge of the main pool and is the perfect spot to enjoy the sleek pool whilst enjoying a refreshment or expertly mixed cocktail. DOMES PLAZA POOL BAR This super cool bar reflects the finer side of life, and is open from morning to evening, serving chilled champagnes under the bright Greek sun as well as diverse options in beverages, drinks and snacks.

View from the food trucks of CORE (top). Domes Plaza Pool Bar (top left). The sitting area of Breeze all day beach lounge (bottom left).

Right page: The outdoor area of Blend.

At Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection, creative food and drink options abound in stunning restaurants and bars.

ILIAS SAVVAKIS

Chef Ilias Savvakis, along with the pastry chef from Blend Steakhouse, explains why Blend provides such a memorable dining experience.

What type of cuisine can guests expect at Blend and what inspired the concept behind it?

It’s Modern Mediterranean Cuisine, which combines high quality cuts of meat, pasta and seafood, as well as dishes that are cooked and then finished in our JOSPER charcoal oven. The inspiration comes from authentic flavors and recipes, based on the experience I have gained during my career, both in Greece and in England. What do you think are the top two dishes at Blend, and what makes them stand out?

I would say the Salmon Gravlax and the Lamb. The Salmon because it is marinated with beetroot, salt, sugar and citrus and combines the land and the sea, As for the Lamb, it is slowly simmered for 12 hours, and served with a smoked eggplant puree and a yogurt mousse. What are the special techniques and ingredients that diners visiting Blend can expect?

Vacuum cooking and premium ingredients, which we source ourselves and then go on to perfect on the plate. Particular attention is paid to the textures, but also to the different flavors that are harmoniously combined, thanks to the chefs’ know-how. What would a foodie love about Blend and what would make them revisit?

The special aroma and the taste of the charcoal will definitely stand out. The selection of good ingredients and the fact that all of our fresh ingredients are always selected based on their seasonality, are just some of the reasons that diners will want to return for another highly gastronomic experience.

And last but not least, Blend’s pastry chef outlines the reliance on “blended flavors” using local products but without sticking to the classic recipes in desserts inspired by global cuisines using the most modern techniques to create signature desserts such as the “tropical yoghurt” and other signature desserts with a twist.

DOMES NORUZ CHANIA, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

GOURMET HEIGHTS

Let us serve you ingenious renditions of rustic recipes and treat your taste buds to something new at every sitting.

WITH DOMES NORUZ Chania, Autograph Collection's distinct culinary identity, serving up a range of tasty treats, from haute cuisine fusion gems to the freshly-picked fruits of the island of Crete, marvel at the culinary ethos of the resort: superb ingredients, precise techniques and a healthy dose of creative flair. Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection's stylish bars will also treat you to no end. Take your pick from creative menus and enjoy your beverage of choice while marvelling at fiery sunsets and sample signature cocktails concocted by award-winning mixologists Apallou. Add a crisp finish to your evenings as you cool down with low-alcohol spritz delights in the crystalline waters of your private pool. Choose unaltered organic wine pairings making use of local, ancient vineyards that fit the meal, the hour, the mood, where each sip complements the sensory experience that is Domes! TOPOS Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection's signature restaurant Topos takes Cretan cuisine to new heights with both traditional and more experimental dishes. With its seaside location, muted colour palette and glorious views, Topos offers a compact yet highly original menu showcasing top-quality ingredients which when combined, produce dishes that ooze creativity, bright flavours and enticing aromas. All this is served by attentive staff, while our sommelier is

Topos restaurant (left). Right page: Healthy choices at Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection.

Culinary creations at Topos restaurant (right). Left page: The signature restaurant Topos (top). Enjoy sushi by the pool at the Raw (bottom). eager to advise on excellent wines from the wine list featuring over 160 select vintages, the vast majority of which are sourced from local wineries such as Manoussakis, Karavitakis, Douloufakis, Lyrarakis, et al. RAW With the pool on one side and the Aegean on the other, we can’t say that there’s a better place to enjoy a perfect cocktail or sushi while watching the sun as it sets dramatically over the sea. Let our skilled and experienced mixologists prepare you an out of this world cocktail, just let them know what kind of mood you’re in and your preferable tastes and they will do the rest! Whether you try something new or you stick with your usual sushi favourite, the result will definitely pleasantly surprise you! N BAR Achingly sleek, the N Bar is the inside bar serving up classic renditions of old favourites and new exciting discoveries.

Dive into a gastronomy experience that takes the authentic ingredients of Crete and utilizes them in innovative dishes.

DIONYSIS PLIATSIKAS

Executive Chef Dionysis Pliatsikas talks about his inspiration, what makes Cretan cuisine stand out, and Topos’ gastronomy approach.

After working for acclaimed establishments in Spain and the UK, Executive Chef Dionysis Pliatsikas now leads the talented team at Topos restaurant.

How would you describe the food at Topos?

We use local ingredients: olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood, fish... Ultimately, seasonality defines the menu.

What are your favourite ingredients and what types of relationships do you have with your suppliers?

Our local suppliers are indispensable for us and our dishes. They are our lifeline, our connection to Crete and its products. We only work with certified Cretan producers. Ingredients are extremely important. It’s really hard for me to choose because there is no one ingredient that is more important than others. A humble “ofti” potato cooked on charcoal, an organic tomato, even our sea salt sourced straight from Balos Beach are all unique and indispensable! When you place all three of these components on a plate, you get a masterpiece of flavour… with or without our exquisite olive oil!

Which flavours from Crete stand out for you?

I visit one of Chania’s farmers’ markets at least every week. I am most drawn to the many different varieties of wild Cretan greens. Some are sweet, others salty, or bitter, or aromatic… and you can use them in all sorts of recipes – from pies to salads, cooked greens, in the pot or in the pan with meat or fish… literally everywhere!

Do you combine local and international ingredients in your cooking?

Because we focus on local produce and seasonality to deliver the best dishes possible, I try not to mix different cooking traditions with Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine, with the exception of our special events.

What dish would you recommend from the menu?

That’s a difficult question, but I’ll give you just one answer: The White Grouper Giouvetsi with wild fennel.

DOMES ZEEN CHANIA, A LUXURY COLLECTION RESORT, CRETE

THE WONDERS OF AUTHENTIC CUISINE

Join us in celebrating the finest Greek cuisine as you embark on a truly gastronomic journey where each dish is memorable.

Beach House restaurant (top right) and brunch menu choices (middle). Left page: The Beach House (top) and the Enino Gastronomy Restaurant (bottom). WITH ITS TWO restaurants, Beach House Restaurant and Enino Gastronomy Restaurant, Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete offers a tantalising array of culinary options based on sourcing the very best local produce, combined with the ingenious creativity of our chefs. Because here, we believe that fine dining provides the opportunity to come together, socialise and celebrate. And with this in mind, our creative local and fusion dishes are sure to be the perfect accompaniment to many a memorable meal spent with loved ones where dishes featuring strong Cretan and Greek influences, making use of freshly picked ingredients from the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet, namely the island of Crete, steal the show. With a strong focus on using the finest seasonal products, we make sure that we choose sustainable products from certified Cretan producers, local fishermen and deli workshops to serve you some of Greece’s best products from both the land and sea. The result? Awe-inspiring dishes prepared using exceptional techniques and endless passion without losing sight of the fundamentals.

We have prepared menus with everyone in mind, for kids and toddlers, vegetarian menus and can also cater to gluten-free diners upon request.

BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day and well into the night, the Beach House restaurant showcases striking fresh delicacies accompanied by endless stunning sea views. As is the case with all of the Domes Resorts, only local, organic produce is used to full effect by our teams of talented chefs.

ENINO GASTRONOMY RESTAURANT Our latest addition which opened in 2020 provides a wine themed fine dining experience spread over six dishes. Spanning Greek, Cretan and Mediterranean cuisine, savour complex taste combinations in dishes where the attention to detail is sure to take your breath away. Finally, the Beach house bar provides the perfect spot right by the pool to unwind and enjoy the sun with a coffee. Later on in the day, marvel at the sunset with a signature cocktail concocted by award-winning mixologists Apallou or that perfectly chilled glass of amazing wine as well as other offerings from its enticing menu.