THE CITY MAGAZINE OF
February 2013 Year 11. Issue 107 â‚Ź4.50 ISSN 1790-3114
insider athens
| February 2013
ATHENS
Chocolate passion Choco facts / Confectioner's confessions / Hot chocolate spots / St. Valentine's offers Italian Supplement: Interview with Claudio Glaentzer, Italian Ambassador to Greece Iconic Italian brands / Viva Italia / Venetian balls / The Italian vote PLUS: ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD & WINE, NIGHTLIFE, SHOPPING, NOVELTIES, MAPS AND MORE
It is with a lot of optimism - cautious and pre-mature, perhaps - but optimism nonetheless, that we start off 2013. What a pleasant departure from the heavy mood that hung over us these past couple of years.
Sudha Nair-Iliades
publisher’s note So, at Athens Insider, we decided to celebrate that 180 degree change in national sentiment with the only two things that matter when the chips are down: Love and Chocolate. We’ve been on a choco-romp in the city to pick our favourite chocolate hot-spots, to discover where you can declare undying love in chocolate, or rent a chocolate fountain and indulge in a licking-good chocolate wrap treatment. For those who take their chocolate seriously, Chocolating 2013, an annual event dedicated to cacao, stretched across four weekends, promises to indulge your wildest chocolate fantasies. Our special supplement on Italy draws on all that we love about the boot-shaped nation. From high fashion, popular cuisine and Italian flair, plus an interview with the Ambassador of Italy to Greece, the section brings out the best of Italy in Greece. Since February is synonymous with Venice and the carnival, we also take a peek sneak behind the masked façade of the most extravagant ball in Venice, Il Ballo del Doge. So keep the love flowing and your endorphin levels high!
Sudha Nair-Iliades
Publisher - Editor Sudha Nair - Iliades Art Director Eliza Mouzenidou
Contributors in this Issue Patia Iordanidou, Renee Pappas, Maria Stergiou, Dimosthenis Therianos
Marketing and Public Relations Executive Maria Stergiou Photos Kostas Bekas, Silvena Ivanova Web Design www.studiozip.com
Founder Steve Pantazopoulos
Distribution Hellenic Distribution Agency Subscriptions *A thens Insider published in English in Greece € 40, Abroad € 80 *B onjour Athènes published in French in Greece € 20, Abroad € 40 * Both magazines in Greece € 60, Abroad € 120 Also published in Chinese & Russian
Christos Christopoulos Prepress, Montage and Printing Grafima
Email: info@insider-magazine.gr Reproduction in whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, is forbidden except with the express written permission of the publisher.
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insider athens | February 2013 1
contributors Maria Stergiou
Maria studied Marketing and Communication at Athens University of Economics and Business and then moved to Barcelona where she studied and worked in the events industry. On her return to Greece she worked in the marketing departments of multinationals in the hospitality and advertising sector. She speaks English, Spanish and French and has a passion for flamenco dance.
As a media and PR consultant, Renee has successfully presented her clients in international media such as CNN and the New York Times. In her chequered career in the entertainment industry, she has encountered music greats and media moguls who might find their way into a book on rock history she is currently working on. Renee moved to Greece in the early nineties and has since been actively involved in raising gala fundraisers and contributing regularly to Athens Insider.
Dimosthenis Therianos
Dimosthenis Therianos was born and raised in Athens. He studied accounting at TEI Piraeus and continued with studies in Human Resources. Always criss-crossing the city on his motorbike to meet his clients, he makes the most of the opportunity to visit Athens’ trendiest neighbourhoods to keep a lookout for new cool restaurants and bars in town.
Journalist and Beauty Editor Patia Iordanidou has worked for various print and online publications such as Vogue Hellas, House & Garden, Athinorama and elculture.gr. She writes on many subjects, including fashion, beauty, nightlife, restaurants and travel. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in German studies in Athens, she went on to a Masters in Communication and Media at the Universities of Kassel, Germany and Florence, Italy. She speaks several languages and is fascinated by both culture and fashion.
Eliza Mouzenidou
Patia Iordanidou
Eliza Mouzenidou was born and raised in Athens. She studied Technology of Graphic Arts and graduated with the highest GPA amongst her colleagues. For the last five years she has been working as a graphic designer and has attended numerous seminars on the subject. Her true passion is photography and during her free time she enjoys playing tennis.
Kostas Bekas was born and raised in Athens and has been capturing Athens’ rich social and diplomatic life for the past twenty years. A regular contributor to Athens Insider and Bonjour Athenes, Kostas has been the official photographer to several multinationals and embassies.
2 insider athens | February 2013
Renee Pappas
Kostas Bekas
contents
12 16 18
Features
Departments 28 All about chocolate Everything you wanted to know about chocolate in Greece and didin’t know where to ask
Arts & Events 4
From Rome with Love 15 Italy’s Ambassador to Greece, Claudio Glaentzer describes Greece as a ‘superpower of culture’
Confectioners’ Confessions 30 Pastry chefs, Dimitris Chronopoulos, and Frantzeskos Sozos share their passion for chocolate
Italian Supplement 12
18 Dreams on wheels Fiat Group CEO Paulo Carelli speaks at length about eco-friendly technology and Italian design
Chocolate hot-spots 32 Chocolat 56, a retro chocolaterie The Dark Side of Chocolate, Cacao with a twist
The world through tinted glasses 20 The 96-year old history of Italy’s iconic brand of eyewear, Persol
New chill-out zones 50 Four new bars that promise to make Athenian nightlife an even more interesting prospect
Fact stranger than fiction 10 Elias Kulukundis’ book, The Amorgos Conspiracy traces the true story of George Mylonas’ confinement and escape during the junta years
21 Pasta perfect The story of Barilla, the company’s investments in Greece and pasta’s universal appeal 22 The Belle of the Ball An interview with Antonia Sautter of Il Ballo del Doge, Venice’s most extravagant and sought-after ball
Mono-poly of taste 52 Chef Olivier Campanha seduces Athenians with his down-to-earth approach to high gastronomy 54 Bistro à la française Avenue captures the essence of a French bistro
Books 10
Diplomacy 14 Chocolate 28 My Athens 36 Agora 44 Beauty 46 Nightlife 50 Restaurant review 52 Area wise listings 57 Kaleidoscope 80
24 28 38 44 52 Cover picture: Athens Insider
insider athens | February 2013 3
Arts & events
01
02
0610 15 1516 16 &
until
february
february
february
february
until
february
february
Onassis Cultural Center
Hellenic Cosmos
Megaron Mousikis
Art Zone 42
Faustin Linyekula Le Cargo 01 Whether he uses words, movement, music or images, the 38 year-old African dancer and choreographer, Faustin Linyekula, sheds light on the political aspect of art. In Le Cargo, his first solo, the choreographer returns to the body and to movement as unsurpassed tools for understanding and recording history. Linyekula has a profound belief in art as an antidote to crisis, as a means of awakening, as a roar of strength. And since his dance tells stories of love and darkness, his message remains optimistic. Tickets: 7 - 18€ Syngrou 107-109 www.sgt.gr
Ice Station Antarctica 02 The exhibition “Ice Station Antarctica” by the Museum of Natural History in London, is the best exhibition that was ever designed in Europe about the frozen continent of Antarctica. Antarctica is the coldest, most wild and remote place on Earth. The exhibition, in an area of 700m2 tries to reveal the mysteries of this area through a great variety of sources. Thanks to innovative design and state-of-the-art technology, it gives you the chance to become an Antarctic expert and to work at humanity’s greatest natural workshop. Tickets: 6€ Poulopoulou 38 www.ime.gr
Murmures des murs 03 Aurélia Thierrée started performing as a child in her parents’ shows Le Cirque Imaginaire and Le Cirque Invisible. She has worked in cabaret in Berlin, toured with the Tiger Lillies and appeared in films, working with directors Milos Forman and Jacques Baratier. Her first stage show, L’Oratorio d’Aurélia, opened in 2003 and has played to sold out houses across the world. Murmures des murs is her second full length stage show and collaboration with director/creator Victoria Thierrée-Chaplin. The Bridges series is directed by Dimitris Maragopulos 20:00, Tickets: 6,5 - 40€ Vass. Sophias & Kokkali www.megaron.gr
Nikos Kapadais, ‘Creatures and other Humans’ 04 Nikos Kapadais creates fleeting figures and urban portraits with bold expressionist colours and thick brushstrokes. A cross between New York graffiti art from the ‘80s and African masks, Kapadais’ art is bold and comes with a message. Rushed and fragmented as time itself, hard lines depict the characteristics of people in urban life and promote a dynamic that evokes passion. Vas. Konstantinou 42 www.artzone42.gr
4 insider athens | February 2013
On the town For location details see listings on page 69
05
03
04
06
22 2323 24 28 &
february
&
february
Gazarte Arturo Sandoval A star of jazz, Arturo Sandoval and his magic trumpet make a stop in Athens for two unique concerts at Gazarte on 22 and 23 February. If you have a passion for music, then here is a show not to be missed. With six Grammies, one Emmy and six Billboard Awards – Sandoval is a great performer, a brilliant composer and trumpeter originally from Cuba, who beutifully blends the sounds of jazz and Afro Cuban music. 22:00 Tickets: 20 - 50€ Voutadon 32-34 Gazi www.gazarte.gr
february
until
february
Arion Resort & Spa The Astir Palace Complex Chocolating 2013 05 Discover, taste and savour the finest chocolate creations at the Astir Palace Resort. Chocolate is a special kind of pleasure: it’s always a luxury, a dietary sin we never regret, a child’s obsession. Chocolating 2013 pays tribute to Chocolate and organizes the sweetest winter party. Pastry chefs Frantzeskos Sozos and Dimitris Chronopoulos create the perfect destination for lovers of chocolate, while chef Stratos Kalathakis creates a gourmet chocolate-flavoured menu. Chocolate cooking lessons every Sunday at 2pm starting 24 February until 17 March. www.westinathens.com www.astir-palace.com
february
until
03 march
Bernier / Eliades
Onassis Cultural Centre
Charles Sandison Frame of Reference 06 Charles Sandison studied fine art and has been awarded with the Bram Stocker Medal for Innovative Art. He belongs to the generation of artists who have drawn the experience of (Post) Minimalist sculpture and Conceptual Art to invent a new visual language. His work involves the use of computer programmes that display words in motion. The words cross each other, connect, collide, avoid one another or reproduce according to a system, an artificial intelligence, the mechanisms of which the viewer can guess at, but whose purpose remains a mystery. Eptachalkou 11 www.bernier-eliades.gr/
Helmut Newton Helmut Newton (1920-2004) had his own unique way of photographing the beauty, sensuality, humour and violence he saw underlying the behaviour of people in the world of fashion, luxury, money and power. This retrospective covers the core aspects of his provocative and often shocking oeuvre, which include fashion, nudes, portraits, sex and humour. Newton’s classic photography transcends fashion and marks him out as an artist who,brushing aside the limitations imposed by his medium, experimented with subjects and genres; he expanded the scope of contemporary visual culture with his singular vision. Sygrou 107-109 www.sgt.gr
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Arts & events
07
On the town
08
03
until
march
17
until
march
09
04
until
april
National Theater of Greece
Benaki Museum
Museum of Cycladic Art
Odyssey - By Robert Wilson, after Homer 07 The great epic work of ancient Greek poetry tells the story of Odysseus’s journey home after the Trojan War. Robert Wilson’s encounter with Homer is one of the major artistic events of this season. The sensitivity, inventiveness and imagination of the great American director resonate with the Homeric spirit, creating a spellbinding new theatrical language. Eighteen performers and Wilson’s collaborators bring all their artistry to bear on this unique venture. A joint production with Milan’s Piccolo TeatroTeatro di Europa Tickets : 16 - 40€ Ag. Konstantinou 22-24 www.n-t.gr
Charles Weber. The Greek Series Charles Weber, the Swiss photographer, has lived and worked in the village of Agios Syllas in the prefecture of Herakleio, on the island of Crete for more than three decades. His exhibition The Greek Series presents his photographic progress in his second homeland, through approximately 150 photographs, divided into seven chapters. His themes deal with people, landscapes, objects and compositions from Greek everyday life. They exude tenderness, spontaneity, order and love of place and of the local people. Tickets: 2,5 - 5€ Koumbari 1. & Vas. Sofias www.benaki.gr
Princesses of the Mediterranean Organised with the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture, the Italian Embassy in Greece and the Presidency of the Italian Republic, the exhibition focuses on artefacts and jewellery that belonged to real women, not mythical figures. Stories of regal ladies, princesses and priestesses reveal how these women played a role in the development of archaic Mediterranean culture. Jewellery inspired by the Princesses of the Mediterranean and created by the House of Zolotas will be on sale and display during the exhibition. Neophytou Douka 4 www.mca.gr
6 insider athens | February 2013
28
until
april
National Archaeological Museum The Antikythera Shipwreck 08, 09 The exhibition is dedicated to the shipwreck discovered off the islet of Antikythera and dates from the fourth to the first century BC. Almost all of the finds are presented in their context for the first time. The 378 exhibits are presented in 4 sections, where the visitors can stroll through the birth of underwater archaeology as well as the ship’s voyage and cargo. The last part of the exhibition is dedicated to the Athikythera Mechanism, this unique and exquisite device of mathematical and astronomical genius. Tickets: 7€ Patission 44 www.namuseum.gr
Kids events
On the town
01
02
0610 10 until
march
march
march
13
until
april
28
until
april
Pallas Theater
Megaron Plus
Herakleidon Museum
Badminton Theatre
Slava Snow Show The Slava Snow Show, rated as one of the most interactive family shows in the world and inspired by the great mime, Slava Polumin promises to wow the young and old alike. Nobody and nothing stays intact. Mimes and clowns, great melodies and impressive effects create an incredibly magical atmosphere and remind one that no one is ever too old to enjoy clowns. The show culminates in a breathtaking blizzard leaving you literally knee deep in snow! Tickets: 30 - 70€, Voukourestiou 5, Athens. www.ellthea.gr
Matali’s Blobterre An imaginary world by French designer Matali Crasset: an original proposal which takes the form of an artificial garden dedicated to exploring and creating. The Blobterre is therefore a work of fiction creation, with its own sounds, odors, plant elements and inhabitants. A pure invention by the designer, this hybrid area submerged by an abundant neo-vegetation is a platform dedicated to the imaginary. It will be up to the public to make its own experiences and to venture between the extratoofs or the domosquelettes. In collaboration with the Centre Pompidou, Paris Participation cost: 3 € Vass. Sophias & Kokkali www.megaron.gr
Self-Portraits The Herakleidon Museum organizes Drawing and Painting Lessons for Children aged 8-15 years, conducted by Pascaline Bossu, every first and third Sunday. The theme of the first Cycle (FebruaryApril) is “Self-portraits” and is inspired by the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. The first two courses will focus on drawing with the use of pencil and charcoal. The following four courses will deal with colour and its basic principles. The materials to be used are temperas and pastels. Participation cost: 20 € / two hour lesson Herakleidon 16, Thissio www.herakleidon-art.gr
Thesus and Ariadne on the Island of the Bulls 02 Theseus and Ariadne on the Island of the Bulls is a show that combines theatre with the didactic nature of ancient myths, ideal for children.The show tells the story of the mythical hero Theseus, son of Aegeus king and founder of Athens. A riveting plot and an adventure involving the entire Greek mythology: heroes, mortals, wonderful and terrible supernatural beings and the Olympian Gods. Written by Stratis Paschalis and directed and choreographed by the awardwinning Sophia Spyratou. Tickets: 9 - 15€ Olympic Properties, Goudi www.badmintontheater.gr
8 insider athens | February 2013
Valentine’s week at Astir Palace Resort
Looking to book a romantic getaway around February 14? Arion Resort & Spa offers a unique accommodation package for all those who would like to escape away with someone special. Our Valentine’s Week offer starting from €165 for a double room is valid from February 8 until February 18, 2013 and includes: • Luxurious accommodation • Room service with full breakfast in bed • Sparkling Wine & Choco Box upon arrival • Swedish Massage (30’), per person, per stay • Additional 20% discount for any other Spa treatment booked • Complimentary late check-out at 4pm, upon availability.
Valentine’s Day Gourmet Dinner at Il Tramonto restaurant, 14 February 2013
Enjoy an inspired gourmet dinner with a welcome Valentine’s cocktail and a five-course meal that ends with a delectable chocolate and dessert buffet. Open from: 20.00 - 23.30 Cost: €47 per person (not including drinks)
For additional information or to request availability, please call +30 210 8902 000 or book online www.arionresortathens.com/en/forms/valentine & www.astir-palace.com
insider athens | February 2013 9
Fact stranger than fiction Renee Pappas speaks to Elias Kulukundis, whose book The Amorgos Conspiracy traces the true story of George Mylonas’ confinement and dramatic escape from Amorgos during the junta years.
A
man meets and falls in love with a young woman whose father is held as a political prisoner by a repressive regime. He decides to use his own wealth and ingenuity to spirit her father from his island prison. He travels around Europe meeting with exiled politicians, former revolutionaries with multiple aliases, and two young journalists looking for that big story that will jump-start their careers.
If this sounds like A Tale of Two Cities, The Bourne Identity and The Scarlett Pimpernel all rolled up into one you’re correct. The difference however, is that The Amorgos Conspiracy is not fiction. It is the gripping story of Elias Kulukundis, scion of a Greek shipping dynasty, who organized the escape of his father-in law, George Mylonas, from the island of Amorgos where he was in detention during the Greek military dictatorship in the late 1960’s. George Mylonas was a minister in the government of George Papandreou Sr. and unlike other members of the government such as Constantine Mitsotakis who escaped to France, or Andreas Papandreou who was released from prison after intense pressure from the international academic community, Mylonas was arrested and exiled to a tiny Aegean island. I caught up with Elias Kulukundis when he was in Athens to present the Greek edition of his book published by Ekdoseis Pataki. Mr. Kulukundis has had a multi-faceted career as a shipping magnate, author, playwright, documentary film-maker, and an opera singer (in his spare time). Born in London and raised in Westchester, New York, he lived in a bi-cultural and bi-lingual household. He was a member of two worlds, the international circle of Greek ship owners and the Eisenhower era suburbs in the United States. When he was in the 9th Grade he went with his uncle, the legendary Manuel Kulukundis, who was also the President of the Greek ShipOwners Association of New York, to visit his cousin, Michael, who was enrolled at Exeter. His uncle felt that the more innovative teaching methods at Exeter would suit his nephew’s inquisitive character. The open-style classrooms at Exeter were the best training for problem
10 insider athens | February 2013
solving and “thinking on your feet”. Both attributes would serve Mr. Kulukundis in his diverse pursuits. Kulukundis’ interest in Literature began in his junior year when he pulled a book off the library shelf which would change his life. He devoured This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Here was a book about a world that was familiar to him. Although he loved Ivanhoe and The Count of Monte Christo, he felt that he, himself, could be a writer of contemporary subjects. Fitzgerald was, after all, only 23 when his book was published so this was a goal that was possible. In his senior year, he and Michael Hobson, whose mother, Laura Z. Hobson had written Gentlemen’s Agreement, took a special class for students interested in writing. The class met at the off-campus house of their teacher, George Bennett, on Friday nights. Sometimes Mrs. Bennett, who was French, joined the class; and Kulukundis was exposed to what was called then as a “bohemian life-style”. George Bennett died in 1965 and in 1968 Kulukundis established “The Bennett Fellowship” at Phillips Exeter Academy which enables aspiring novelists, poets and playwrights to focus on their writing, which would be their first published work. Former fellows have gone on to publish 100 books. The fellowship gives the writer a year of room and board at Exeter with a $5,000.00 allowance. According to Kulukundis “They have no duties, just writing their opus and being available to talk to students about writing, informally, the way George Bennett did.” He then attended Harvard University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature. After reading Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky in English, he decided to learn Russian and went on to translate Both Sides of the Ocean, the Soviet novelist Viktor Kekrasov’s account of his travel in America and Italy. After graduating from Harvard he was a teaching fellow at Exeter in 1961-62. Torn between writing and his sense of obligation to join his father’s shipping business, his mother told him he should do both. “She didn’t care if I taught. At that time, I thought teaching was something to do while writing. Now I do it because I like it.”
Books
His first book, The Feasts of Memory, was written in 1965. Travelling to his ancestral island of family, Kasos, he verified and added to the numerous family “myths and legends” and created a book which the New Yorker called “funny and most engaging… and excellent anecdotal history of Kasiot lore…a beautiful and imaginative exploration of a writer’s relationship to his origins”. In 1967 he met Eleni Mylonas who was studying journalism at Columbia University and they immediately found much in common. He agreed to travel to Greece and deliver a letter to George Mylonas who was in hiding. Upon his return to the US, he and Eleni married and subsequently Mylonas was arrested and exiled to Amorgos. After visiting his father-in-law with Eleni, he decided that he had to help Mylonas escape. The story of this modern day “Scarlet Pimpernel” is the subject of The Amorgos Conspiracy. At that point, he and Nick Gage, who was a journalist living in Athens and on leave from the Wall Street Journal, decided to collaborate on an article about the Greek Junta. Gage would deal with events in Greece, interviewing the members of the dictatorship; while Kulukundis travelled around Europe interviewing Greek politicians in exile. He visited Andreas Papandreou in Sweden and Konstantinos Mitsotakis in Geneva. Mitsotakis encouraged him to help Mylonas escape, while Papandreou was opposed to an escape attempt. At the same time he was introduced to exiled Greeks fighting the junta from Switzerland and Italy. Entering a world that included the makers of false passports and Marxists with several aliases, he finally put together a plan to rent a motor yacht, and with five Italians set sail for Amorgos. One of them had secured the boat, another drove it, one was a sailor who worked for the boat’s owner and the group was rounded out with an aspiring journalist and a very attractive young woman. They looked like a group of friends on a cruise through the Greek islands. The story received enormous international publicity thanks to Nick Gage’s article in the New York Times and the recounting of the escape by Mario Scialoja, one of Kulukundis’ fellow shipmates, in the Italian newspaper, Espresso .
T 7 ZR
When the Greek junta supported a coup against the government of Cyprus in 1974, the island nation was invaded by Turkey and subsequently divided. Kulukundis travelled there and made a documentary film, Cyprus: Anatomy of a Crisis. Later, after he and Eleni divorced, he joined his father’s company in New York. After six years in the family business he decided to set out on his own. Encouraged by his second wife, Lucy Platt, he founded Kulukundis Shipping Investments, Inc. and was successful in asset playing in shipping investments. Kulukundis then went on to write a play, Three Brides for Kasos, which is based on one chapter from his book, The Feasts of Memory. The play became a musical with music composed by Mark Kolt and was presented at the Winnipeg Fringe festival of 2005. Raised in a home with classical music, in 1995 Kulukundis began attending the Mannes School in New York where he studied vocal repertoire. He then went on to study with Marshall Williamson at Julliard where he sang the roles of Papageno in The Magic Flute and Prince Gremin in Eugene Onegin, in Russian. After the passage of four decades, Kulukundis started writing the story of the escape in its present form in 2011. The Amorgos Conspiracy was published, in Greek, by Ekdoseis Pitaki Press in late 2012 and will be published, in English, in the United States in fall 2013. A documentary of the adventure will feature Kululkundis, and a number of the protagonists on Stelios Kouloglou’s ERT programme, “Reportage Without Borders” and will be broadcast around April 21st, the 46th anniversary of the start of the Greek military dictatorship. Elias Kulukundis’ life is like a movie….a little bit of Revolutionary Road, a little bit of The Dead Poet’s Society, a little bit of On the Road, as well as Z. All in all Mr. Kulukundis has, and continues to live, a very productive and exciting life.
insider athens | February 2013 11
Italian supplement
I TA LY The Italian supplement Italy, a country that conjures a thousand images and appeals to all our senses, as influential on world culture today as it was millennia ago. From Fellini’s black and white films, to slick sports cars, la dolce vita, fashion power and old world-glamour, wholesome pasta, the humble pizza, prosecco – the list of all we love about Italy is endless. This Italian supplement includes an interview with Ambassador Claudio Glaentzer, Italy’s Ambassador to Greece, a profile of some of Italy’s most prominent companies, the Fiat Group, Barilla and Luxottica Group. We conducted an Italian election of our own to vote for the best Italian restaurants in town, featured our favourite Italian must-haves in our Viva Italia section and interviewed the woman behind Venice’s most glamorous ball, Antonia Sautter of Il Ballo del Doge.
12 insider athens | February 2013
Giulietta Veloce Featuring a historical name which has been used in the past by other models of Alfa Romeo, the new Giulietta Veloce is the renewed ‘sporty’ choice available at a very competitive price. Externally, it has the following details which gives it a distinctive appearance • Dark headlights • External Veloce logo • External mirrors with titanium grey cover • External chrome plated handles • 17’’ Turbine design alloy wheels in titanium grey • Optional roof painted in black or grey But inside, the special features are equally important and impressive. The customer has the option of choosing the quality, texture and fabric in black or red. Internally, it has the following details • New lounge in red or black and sporty design • Roof and pillars in black • Internal doors in titanium grey colour • Central section near the handbrake and gear in titanium grey • Decorative panel in titanium grey • Optional sporty leather interior in microfibra or leather upholstery with red stitching. The standard version of the Veloce completes the emphasis on its sporty appearance as follows: • Central locking with remote control • 6 Airbags • ABS / EBD • VDC / ASR / MSR / CBC / e-Q2 / Hill Holder / DNA • Decorative titanium grey dashboard • Black lining on the roof & columns • Sports leather steering wheel with red stitching • Start & Stop system with GSI • Air Condition • Electrically adjusted and heated external mirrors in titanium grey cover• RadioCD / MP3 Player • Front and rear electric windows • Rear folding seats • Front / Rear LED Lights • 17’’ Alloy wheels in titanium grey • Spare tire • Rear spoiler The Veloce version is available with engines • 1.4 TB 120hp petrol • 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp diesel The customer has a choice of all exterior colours except profound metallic blue and can choose the roof in black or grey. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce with 1.4 TB 120hp petrol engine is available from € 17700 (with discount and scrap benefit), and 1.6 JTDM-2 105hp diesel engine from € 19830 (with discount and scrap benefit). Favourable financing available from FGA Bank with no down payment, at 5.25% interest rate and upto 72 instalments.
For more information visit the official Alfa Romeo dealer network or www.alfaromeo.gr
14 insider athens | February 2013
Diplomacy
From Rome with Love Italy’s Ambassador to Greece, Claudio Glaentzer describes Greece as a ‘Superpower of Culture’ and speaks to Sudha Nair-Iliades of his fascination for the Greek way of life.
A
mbassador Claudio Glaentzer has the air of an intellectual, less so of a man of action. And yet his career trajectory tells a different tale. It is said that the wish, ‘may you live in interesting times’ could be interpreted as a blessing as much as a curse. For Ambassador Glaentzer who was posted to Greece a year ago after a four-year stint in Afghanistan, it has been an extremely long spell of very interesting times indeed. From a war-torn region to a country grappling with recession, he has had his fair share of challenges. Answering a question he has been asked only too often, he replies, “I never make comparisons between two countries. It is not a useful exercise. Each country has its own characteristics and its own dynamics.” A soft-spoken man, he has endeared himself both to the Greek business community as well as to his counterparts in the diplomatic circuit with his unassuming charm, accurate observations and quick-witted repartees. His passion for history and international affairs naturally led him to opt for a career in the highly competitive, prestigious Italian Foreign Service which has taken him to four continents and ten countries. Starting from Colombia, Mexico and the US in the Americas to a five year-stay in Iran, two stints in India spread across eight years, Japan, Germany, Afghanistan and even New Zealand, he has had an extremely rewarding professional career. Musing on the long history of the Greco-Roman world, a term used by scholars to describe the cultural perceptions, ideas and sensitivities of these ancient peoples and the lasting imprint of Magna Grecia that brought Hellenic civilization to Italy, for the Ambassador, his posting here has been a discovery of the shared heritage of his host and native countries. “I did not know Greece at all and I am taken in by the sheer beauty of this country. You can go from the spectacular mountains of Meteora to the crystal clear blue seas in the course of a few hours,
it’s astounding and I’ve enjoyed it all so far.” For those who know the Ambassador well, his eagerness to discover the most authentic psarotaverna to the best Greek wines, is best reflected in the meticulous notes he keeps, asking friends for recommendations and adding his own comments along the way. But it is the warmth and hospitality of the Greeks that touches him more. “The generosity of Greeks when you meet them for the first time is incredible. Greeks really reach out, you feel welcome” Here in Athens with his wife Vidula and two young daughters pursuing their studies in the hospitality sector, Ambassador Glaentzer notes that the streets of Athens are full of bright, young,well-groomed faces who “give a beautiful image of Greece.” For a country such as Italy that is so closely associated with fashion, gastronomy and la dolce vita, I ask the Ambassador if he couldn’t hope for better allies in forging diplomatic ties to ‘make friends and influence people’ and he admits, “Glamour, good food and wine do help the image. They are part of the Italian style of life. But we still have to work!” A typical day in the office starts with a look at the Greek press. Struck by the sheer breadth of different points of view in the local media, the Ambassador observes, “They are extremely rich in perspective and I think they accurately reflect the dynamism of the Greeks.” On the one hand, the ambassador is on a perpetual quest for knowledge about the world in which he is placed, and on the other he serves as an educator both to the host nation about his home country, and to his ministry back home concerning the developments in the country and region where he is stationed. “What’s interesting is the dialogue in which you’re engaged in between two countries,” says Ambassador Glaentzer, “acting as an intermediary to explain the policies of a neighbouring EU
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Diplomacy
nation to Greek audiences, and to give Rome a flavour of what is happening on the ground in this country.” An avid reader and film-buff, I ask him if any of the movies he’s seen or thrillers he has read, captures the life of a diplomat and he is amused. “Reality is quite different from films– it is a lot less and a lot more on both sides. Either you have situations that are overtly exaggerated or sorely underestimated.” While more wont to demonstrations and police cordons in these restless times, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue where the Italian Embassy is located, is a street that is home to some of Athens’ finest neo-classical treasures. The Italian Embassy building was originally built in 1885 as an annexe to the Hotel Grande Bretagne, and was referred to as the ‘Petit Palais’. It was rumoured that there was even an underground tunnel connecting the two. With a history as rich as the one that lies beneath its foundations, this elegant mansion is replete with intricate carvings on the ceilings, a stairway that has seen many a legendary personality walk down its carpeted steps, its drawing rooms witness to hush whispers of history, and an imposing dining room that has stood testimony to dinners and galas for over 150 years of Greece’s tumultuous history. Playing with the glorious Attic light is an ante-room with a skydome and beautifully latticed walls, and a guest-house with a large terrace that overlooks the residence’s well-appointed gardens. “We are privileged and fortunate to live in this beautiful house, but with it comes the enormous responsibility of restoring it to its original grandeur and glory. The building houses the Italian Embassy, but its history really belongs to the Greeks. We hope we can take good care of it.” The Residence has come alive in the year since the Glaentzers have moved in and Vidula’s impeccable interior decoration skills have transformed the formality of the imposing building into a warm, welcoming home. Her accent on perfection extends to the kitchen, and having trained with the best of Italian chefs, each meal at the numerous dinners and receptions hosted at the Residence is a gourmet offering. “We have had the pleasure of meeting extremely interesting personalities from the arts, business, industry and politics and the connection has been spontaneous and warm,” adds Vidula, whose interesting upbringing and spirited personality has in no small measure contributed to making the Glaentzers extremely popular in the Athenian circuit. Reflecting on the ties that bind Greece and Italy the Ambassador states, “Geographically we’re very close. Our histories have been intertwined for thousands of years and now we have a common destiny as mem-
bers of the EU family.” The Ambassador expands, “Greece is a superpower of culture. Peeling back layers of history from antiquity to modern times to draw on the unique relationship of these two great civilizations, the ongoing ‘Princesses of the Mediterranean’ exhibition at the Cycladic museum for example, reflects both the diversity and the commonality of our respective cultures.” The solidarity shown by Italian philhellenes, poets and artists over the past centuries continues to date with a great deal of empathy and support from the trading community. In terms of trade, Italy is the biggest importer of Greek products and Italy ranks amongst the top exporters to Greece. In this difficult climate, some Italian companies have suffered and are apprehensive but there is also positive interest in newer sectors. And Italians come here in large numbers for leisure too. More than 800,000 Italians choose to spend their holidays in Greece each year for extended periods of time and take home a new-found taste for Greece. While more competitive offers in the Greek market have been a boost to tourism, the Ambassador states, “I believe what makes our tourists keep coming back for more is the hospitality, the ‘filoxenia’ that is something unique to Greece.” Recounting an anecdote when on a tour of an island by bus, the Ambassador recalls, “The tourist guide quipped that she could guess the nationalities of the tourists from the questions they asked.... Northern Europeans asked her about skeletons of unfinished buildings. The Italians quite simply asked where the nearest beach was.” The Ambassador continues, “Of course we are both seafaring nations, both oriented to the outside world, both looking for the next horizon. A strong comparison to make is that wherever you go in the world there are Greeks, the same can be said about the Italians.” While the Italians are fond of the sea, Ambassador Glaentzer observes that the Greeks have a deeper relationship with it. “The Greeks are more creatures of the sea than of the land. The sea is more than just a body of water - it is their richness, their food, their livelihood, their joy, their tradition, their pleasure.” It is however the exchange of life insights with the Greek people that Ambassador Glaentzer will cherish as a fond memory. The legacy he and his wife Vidula would like to leave behind is that of being remembered as “people who love Greeks and Greece” and “as true envoys who have done everything to promote Greece and the immense wealth of knowledge it has to share with the rest of the world.”
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Dreams on wheels Amongst Greece’s top-selling cars for the past two decades, the Fiat Group in Greece has a lot to be proud of. Its charismatic CEO Paulo Carelli speaks at length about environment-friendly technology, Italian design, high-performance and price-accessibility of the new models to look forward to in 2013. Fiat is considered one of the greenest companies in the automobile industry. Was it a conscious decision to make Fiat cleaner and greener? Did you anticipate such a huge shift in consumers’ awareness and preference for greener automobiles? The turn to environmental friendliness is not just a trend. It is a need of our times which is becoming a lifestyle. As a Group, we were among the first companies to incorporate this simple truth in our strategic choices. We have always been certain that not only is environmental-friendly and human-friendly development more responsible, but that it is also a necessary condition for sustainable growth and we have been making continuous effort to improve our practices. This is not only due to financial considerations, but to social reasons as well, irrespective of how one interprets it. We have governance and risk management systems in place which are in line with international best practices for the safety of our people. We have been developing environmentally-friendly products, with low pollutant emissions and consumption rates, in harmony with the global downsizing trend, with pioneering and attractive products that are taking advantage of state-of-the-art technologies. We have been cutting down substantially on the energy consumed by our factories and have been setting up, with the help of our dealers, a network that keeps our customers up-to-date with environmental and safety issues. Finally, we have been investing in our people, with a view to helping them ascend and progress within the Fiat family. Within this framework, it is no accident that Fiat Automobiles achieved the lowest CO2 emissions levels for vehicles sold in Europe in 2011 for the fifth consecutive year. Furthermore, of the best selling auto brands in Greece, Fiat totalled the lowest CO2 emissions, contributing to the reduction of CO2 in Greece. Climate changes and the energy crisis has confirmed the need to reconsider the automobile as a concept to develop, among other things, solutions for protecting the environment. This is why the Fiat Group constantly invests in important
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research activities for developing eco-technologies and developments for cars. It is clear to us that we will be able to continue our activities only by being accountable. These are challenging times for Europe and Greece and the automobile industry has borne the brunt of the crisis. What strategies have you adopted to counter the downturn? The automotive market, especially in Europe, faces difficult times due to the deep crisis affecting a number of countries, including Greece. Car manufacturers are redefining the way they operate not only because of international competition, but due to special circumstances as well, for example climate change or economic recession. One of the main areas in which we are investing more is customer satisfaction. Knowing better our customers’ preferences, we are able to determine trends, and define in a more efficient way our new product portfolio. Our new products, as a result, offer environmentally-friendly engines. This is a trend observed not only in the Greek market, but all over Europe and is also reflected on a global scale. Thus, I believe that downsizing is the trend that will prevail in the future. This is exactly what the Fiat Group has been doing with its new engines, giving us the leadership not only in our famous diesel engines but also in our very efficient Twin-air and Multi-air petrol engines - without however, sacrificing its performance levels, technologies and, of course, its unique Italian style. Should the government take measures in order to support the automotive industry and if so, what do you think would be more appropriate measures? A complete approach to deal with the continuous decline of the automotive market is a prerequisite for the survival and the development of the sector. Measures are needed to provide incentives, for
Italian supplement
encouraging investments in the automotive industry and to boost the psychology of both, the market and the consumers.
and Mito, and by the end of the year we are expecting to launch the new dream car of the brand, the Alfa Romeo 4C.
The Greek automotive market needs above all stability, while a policy system that will boost sales, a complete review of the current taxation scheme as well as the FTT is needed to be able to offer Greek customers a more competitive offer in line with the rest of the European countries. Other key measures such as the promotion of green technologies, offering incentives for the replacement of old cars with new anti-pollution technology cars and the promotion of alternative and more cost-effective fuels such as natural gas (CNG) and liquid gas (LPG) can create changes that will help the revitalization of the local market, having always of course in mind the necessity of the formation of a climate of political and financial stability. I believe this can secure the jobs and income of thousands of families employed in the extended car sector.
Talking about dream cars, of course, we cannot forget our most extreme brand, Abarth, very well known amongst customers who love a high level of customization and high performance cars.
With recent launches such as the iconic Fiat 500L to the Alfa Romeo MiTo, what can we expect from Fiat in the near future? Fiat Group Automobiles Hellas, is present in Greece since more than 20 years, investing and building relations with more than half a million customers along the years. This long presence in the country gives us a privileged position among the best sellers in Greece and with our market share increasing over the last 5 years. Of course our entire customer base is our best presentation card and it is the main reason to continue investing in Greece and to collaborate in the recovery of the country. Our range of products is perhaps the best adapted to the current situation in the market. We cover the full range of customer needs, from an excellent range of economic cars, with low consumption and emissions, low purchase price, with maintenance and running costs among the best in the market, as the new Fiat Panda and Fiat Punto, to the most exciting, performance and Italian design of Alfa Romeo, Giulietta
Thinking of families, during the last part of 2012 we launched the new Fiat 500 L, the larger version of the famous Fiat 500, probably one of the most cool city cars of all times, aiming to satisfy the need of young people who seek an intelligent , practical and modern style car. Always thinking of families, but also of professionals and people looking for new alternatives in a bigger car at very accessible prices, we launched the new Fiat Linea. To top it all, we launched the new Fiat Panda 4x4 edition - the only 4x4 model in a city car segment. We will also be presenting the new Fiat Freemont, the ‘big brother’ of the family, with characteristics of a SUV, the typical handling of a station wagon and the 7-seat passenger room of an MPV. We complete our offer with the Fiat Professional brands; with a large range of vehicles covering the necessity of most people who use the vehicle to develop their daily business; these customers trust on the reliability of our models which have maintained their leadership in this segment since a long time. There are clients who will select the most sensible or everyday car and others who prefer the most outstanding from a design or performance point of view, but the most important for the Fiat Group Automobiles Hellas is to let the customers know that we are here to serve them, with a sustainable proposal that takes into account the environment, as ultimately the car is an object of freedom, allowing them to live according to their needs and desires.
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Italian supplement
The world through tinted glasses Tracing the 96-year old history of Italy’s iconic brand of eyewear, Persol, that has adorned many a fashionable face over the years.
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n 1917 in the city of Turin, Italy, Giuseppe Ratti, a photographer and the owner of Berry Opticians, set out on a journey that would later bring him international success. In the small courtyard of a house in Via Caboto he started manufacturing state - of - theart glasses, designed in such a way as to meet the comfort and safety requirements of aviators and pilots of sport, as well as ideal vision standards. Not long after, this eyewear was adopted by the Armed Forces and by the pilots of the Italian Air Force. This is how one of the most successful Italian companies began its journey. The subsequent evolution of these glasses, led by the determination and the intuition of wanting to design a truly revolutionary pair of sunglasses in terms of quality and fit, resulted in the birth of the Persol brand in 1938. Incidentally, the name “Persol” was aptly derived from the Italian “per il sole”, meaning “for the sun”, to emphasize the sun-protective function of this eyewear. The remarkable features of this innovative product (besides its clear design and crystal lenses) are the Supreme arrow, for functional detail and unmistakable aesthetic decoration, and the Meflecto, patented in the late 1930s, a system designed to give flexibility to the arms, thereby offering the greatest comfort. Model 649 was created in 1957. It was designed to meet the requirements of tram drivers in Turin who, driving the old-style open trams, needed large protective eyewear to shield their eyes from the air and dust. The original design made this model an instant success – copied over the years by many competitors – until it was ultimately confirmed as a legend in 1961, when the Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni wore a pair in the hit movie “Divorce Italian Style”. Model 649, still extremely fashionable and included in the collection, is protected by several patents and registered trademarks and represents the symbol par excellence of Persol design. Thanks to its distinctiveness, it is even included in the 1992 French volume of “Qualità: scene d’objets à l’italienne” (a showcase of Italian creativity) among the national objects which best represent all-time Italian creative genius. In 1995, model 649 was chosen to represent the relationship between fashion, design and technology and was displayed at the “Fra Moda e Design, linea infinita” (“Between fashion and design, an infinite line”) exhibition at the Triennale di Milano, alongside others. And, in 2004, the model was displayed in Florence at the “Excess, Fashion & Underground negli anni ‘80” exhibition (Excess, Fashion & Underground in the eighties) alongside a varied collection of contemporary pop culture items, perfectly demonstrating the agelessness of a legend.
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Over the years Persol glasses have become a very successful example of Italian-made excellence worldwide. The brand boasts a sequence of original patents throughout its history, with fine finishes made by hand using top quality materials. Each pair of Persol glasses is a work of art born of manual skill and technology, a mix of tradition and cutting-edge design. Its allure attracts personalities of the movies and arts, a favorite with lovers of a timeless style beyond fads and fashions. A tradition that renews itself every season with new models of timeless elegance. The Spring/Summer 2013 Collection continues along the retro inspired trend, with two segments in the spotlight: Design, revisited with technological solutions, unusual materials and contemporary styling, and Suprema, featuring traditional details with a sophisticated unisex vintage style. Innovative elements include the metal and acetate combination, with outstanding results in terms of aesthetics as well as functionality, and the tubular temples in sun models, an absolute novelty. Polar and photo-polar lenses are also in the forefront in this collection. Polar lenses, designed to reduce the reflections of highly reflective surfaces like the sea or snow surfaces, block out the light through the special filters of Persol lenses. This allows them to provide clear, relaxing vision, even when light reflection can be bothersome. Photo-polar lenses combine a polarized filter that blocks reflections and provides clear vision, with photochromic filters that progressively darken the lens color as the light gets brighter. This makes them suitable to all light conditions. For more information on Persol: www.persol.com
Ewan McGregor with Persol 649
Laetitia Casta with Persol Capri
Pierce Brosnan with Persol 649
Italian supplement
Pasta Perfect Thanos Athanassopoulos, Head of Marketing Greece & Eastern Europe at Barilla Group on the universal appeal of Italian cuisine and his company’s investments and support for the Greek economy. Barilla has a long and interesting history from its beginnings in Parma in 1877 to being a world leader and exporter of Italian cuisine world over. To what do you attribute its sustainability and success to? I would say that Barilla’s success is based on providing people with products that are safe, excellent, and contribute to a nutritionally balanced diet quality. Barilla’s strategy for sustainable business focuses on unwavering Quality and is underlined by the company’s commitment towards the People who work in the company and the communities in which it operates and for the culture of offering the best to consumers. Barilla has a long term strategy to contribute to the construction of a wellbeing that does not end today, but continues in the future. Not just for the Company but for the people and the planet as well. With over 120 varieties of pastas and a palette tickling range of ready sauces, what are Barilla’s new innovations and offerings we can look forward to? Barilla is one of the few companies that devote extensive funds and resources to developing food solutions that are a perfect combination of tradition and innovation. Barilla products are well researched and developed to be tasty and healthy at the same time, and are the result of the constant attention paid to technological innovation and to the study of people’s needs. Not many people know that each product is reviewed at least every three years for constant improvement. Every year Barilla launches approximately 50 new products in a long process which aims at creating products that satisfy the needs of those who will bring them into their homes. We are working on salt content reduction and we have succeeded in placing 57 such products on the market. Barilla has a particularly interesting history in Greece. Would you like to expand on the unique and important position Greece has for Barilla as a company. Barilla is deeply engaged in supporting the Greek economy and the Greek people. Barilla’s commitment to the country materializes not only through
large investments (Barilla has invested during the last 22 years more than 60 million euros) but also though the support to Greek grain farmers from whom we buy almost 60.000 tons of raw materials per year, and the 220 employees who work in the plant in Thiva, the mill in Volos and the offices in Athens. In addition, the important position Greece has for Barilla, is manifested through the fact that since 2010, Greece has been made the Group’s management centre for 19 countries in Central and Eastern Europe which among others include Poland, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary the Czech Republic and Cyprus. Do you believe we will ever see a slump in pasta consumption worldwide with gluten allergies and low-carb diets gaining ground? I do not think we will see a considerable drop in pasta use worldwide. Gluten allergies and low-carb diets may be gaining ground but they affect a small number of the population. Pasta still remains one of the healthiest choices for daily meals as it is part of the Mediterranean diet. Barilla works constantly on developing new tastes that will satisfy contemporary consumer needs as for example our extensive range of wholegrain products or pasta products with vegetables that are becoming more and more popular by the day as they contribute to a balanced diet. What is your favourite comfort food? I always keep in my office drawer and in my car wholegrain Gran-Cereale Classico biscuits. Apart from their natural taste I prefer them for the energy they provide me with, especially in busy days, since they are a low calorie snack made with 11% natural fibers and 34% oat flakes. What, in your opinion, has contributed to Italian cuisine flourishing and growing in popular appeal more than any other cuisine in the world? Italian dishes are made with “humble” ingredients which can be easily found are easy to prepare and do not cost much. I think that this is the secret behind their popularity all over the world. In addition, the fact that Italian cuisine offers some of the healthiest, well-balanced solutions that meet families’ changing needs.
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The Belle of the Ball Antonia Sautter speaks to Athens Insider on the eve of the 20th Edition of Il Ballo del Doge, Venice’s most extravagant and sought-after ball. This year’s theme is “Amore” and the exquisite historical Gothic palace, Palazzo Pisani Moretta comes alive with celebrities and well known personalities from industry, politics and the arts who mingle with each other incognito during the week long festivities.
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n Italian period costume designer and stylist based in Venice, Antonia Sautter is the inspiration behind Il Ballo del Doge, the costume ball held each year during the Carnival of Venice in Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the Grand Canal in Venice. Antonia Sautter started her career in fashion at a very young age and after working at prestigious fashion houses in the US, she returned to Venice to open her own atelier and start her own fashion line Fashion Venetia. Her extensive knowledge of the history of costumes and fabrics together with her promotion and use of traditional Venetian crafts makes her spectacular costumes extremely sought-after by locals, tourists and theatrical and film productions. Her costumes have graced Jean Louis Guillermou’s Antonio Vivaldi, un Prince à Venise (France, 2006) starring Michel Serrault and Stefano Dionisi. In 1994, Antonia started her annual masquerade ball, Il Ballo del Doge, initially as a showcase for her marvellous costumes. Over the years the sumptuousness of the event and the stunning performances by singers, dancers, musicians, acrobats and other performers have attracted royalty, politicians, business people and ordinary guests from all over the world. Athens Insider caught up with Antonia Sautter while she was in the midst of it all, organizing the final fittings for her guests, travelling to Padua to supervise the final props, going through the menu and the minutest details of the show-flow for the grand finale on February 9.
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Antonia, you squeeze in so much into a day. A typical day would be…. My day usually starts at 6 in the morning and there are nights I work until 2 in the morning, having skipped meals along the way. As most creative people tend to be, I’m chaotic. I spend the first two hours of the day with my seamstresses who have been with me for 20 years. On some mornings, I prepare my sketches for the props and scenery and then take them to my technicians who are based in Padua. If you understand Venice’s logistics you will realize that it is a nightmare to get around the city. I usually am in my office from 1 pm to midnight. How did your idea for Il Ballo del Doge come about? It just came to me. I have always believed that if you want something badly enough and you are very determined, it will come to you eventually. Not necessarily a very big objective but if you follow your heart, things come together and just happen. I had a little shop where I sold crafts, custom jewellery, corsets and masks where the then head of BBC programming was shooting a film about the Fourth Crusade. They came to scout around for costumes, we went out for dinner and before long, I had embarked on a project of designing the sets, the costumes for the crusaders and recreating a ball set in the 13th century. I had never done anything quite like it before but I took the risk and dived right in and that’s how Il Ballo del Doge was born. Because the production didn’t have enough money, everyone - the actors and my friends - wore my costumes. The year after, I had 100 paying
Italian supplement guests. I’m not a rich person but I’m blessed as my life has always been rich with possibilities. Did you realize then that Il Ballo del Doge would become such a phenomenon? We have a small staff of just 20 who put together the whole event. We bring around 400 to 600 jet setters from all over the world to Venice who stay here for at least 5 days and they come several times during the year, long before the carnival, for their fittings. I don’t know if I expected it to grow so big but I just feel so proud. Every year I wait for the magic moment, when all my guests are seated at the table and I see their joy when they are lost in the dream…. Its worth it. Do you believe the appeal and tradition of Venetian balls will endure forever? Absolutely yes. Il Ballo del Doge is not just a traditional Venetian ball. It takes all the emotional elements of the past and then transforms it - like a Chagall painting into a dream – with all the beauty but free from the weight of tradition. The intrigue and the allure of the ball will last forever especially if, as in the Il Ballo del Doge, it is invested with a touch of fantasy, glamour and good taste. It is the details that count. You have an almost umbilical connection with Greece. My ex-husband was Greek and I have a connection with Crete which is undescribable. It is the only place that I have visited that exerts such a strong magnetic pull. I feel I belong here. It is the state of the soul when I’m in Crete. I find Venice everywhere when I am here. My friends and family here are my real family. I know I will always have a place to come back, no matter what happens. That is Greece for me. Do you envisage holding a similar ball here? It is interesting you ask that. We have been toying with the idea of exporting Il Ballo del Doge. Athens would be a great setting. Why not? Athenians, get ready.
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a v i v a i l ita
Valentino green lace outfit, Resort Collection 2013
Italy always finds a way to enchant and charm us with its fine cuisine, inspirational fashion culture and memorable music history, but also with its flair and laid-back atmosphere.
Tod’s bag, SS 2013 Collection, at Tod’s Boutique Vespa GTS250ie in dragon red, Piaggio Attica Center, Panepistimiou 9, CityLink, Tel: 211 1802600
Kalogirou boutique, Irodotou 28 & 1, Kolonaki, Tel: 210 335 6430
Oinoscent bar & shop, Voulis 45-47, Tel: 210 322 9374
Showroom, Milioni 12 & Iraklitou, Kolonaki, Tel: 210 364 6460
Piaggio, Mesogeion 458, Ag. Paraskevi, Tel: 210 6010076, Kallirois 29, Tel: 210 924 0650
Tod’s boutique, Voukourestiou 13, Tel: 210 335 6425
Salvatore Ferragamo boutique,
Sunglasses Persol, Luxottica
CityLink Stadiou 4, Tel: 210 335 6437
Cook Shop, Irodotou 26, Kolonaki, 210 7258989, A.Lazaraki 27, Glyfada, Tel: 210 968 0316
Dolce & Gabbana boutique, CityLink Stadiou 4, Tel: 210 335 6443
Gucci, Tsakalof 27, Kolonaki, Tel: 210 3610 870
El. marnerigalerie, 5-7 Lebessi & 16 Porinou Str, Makriyanni, Tel : 210 861 9488
Hondos Center, Merlin 6, Kolonaki, 210-3386000, Alsous 3, Glyfada, Tel: 2108942204, Kolokotroni 3, Kifissia, Tel: 2106288900
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Retro vinyl records “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi and “Storia di un impiegato” by Fabrizio De Andre
DVD “To Rome with Love” by Woody Allen
Pasta Maker Atlas, available at Cook Shop
Italian supplement
Dolce & Gabbana bag SS 2013 Collection, available at Dolce & Gabbana boutique
DSquared2 Potion Eau de Parfum for Woman Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro balances between a lipstick and a lip gloss. Available at Hondos Center Kolonaki, Glyfada, Kifisia and at Attica Center Sunglasses Prada, Luxottica
Salvatore Ferragamo necklace, at Salvatore Ferragamo boutique
Catwalk Gucci Resort Collection 2013
Pinot Grigio Livio Felluga from Friuli. Available at Oinoscent wine bar
Casadei yellow high heels shoes, at Kalogirou boutique
Cioccolatini Santa Maria Novella, available exclusively at el.marnerigalerie
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Italian supplement
A vote for the best Italian!
Just ahead of the elections in Italy, Athens Insider decided to conduct its own poll predictions on the best Italian worth voting for. The election results had a motley bunch of predictables, rank outsiders and pleasant new surprises. Our readers voted for the best Italian restaurants in town on facebook.
Maria Irene Moschona: Aglio olio e peperoncino in the Acropolis area. Vaggelis Efstathiou: Capanna at Kolonaki!! Martine Giassis: Sale Bianco di Salvatore in Glyfada. As someone who has lived in Italy, my vote goes to this authentic Italian restaurant. Georgia Michalopoulou: Cosa Nostra in Psirri...nice atmopshere! Eleni Blouchou: Paradiso Restaurant between Halandri and Psychico, great food and interesting wine list! Katerina Vasileiadi: Da Bruno, at Faliro for authentic Italian cuisine Vangelis Makris: Da Bruno, undoubtedly. Barbara Russo: Al Bacio, at Vouliagmeni, good Italian, but book ahead..!! Marie-Diane Messirel: Bo Botrini’s: For me, it is by far the best restaurant in Athens, and certainly the best Italian in town..! Nikki Savaricas: Casa di Giorgino in Ano Glyfada. A bit off-centre but well worth the detour. Katerina Papadopoulou: Fuga on top of the hill, elegant, and divine Tracy Sutton: Nonna Pina in Dafni, decor not to everyone’s taste but the cuisine more than compensates. Federica di Paolo: Priamo in Maroussi is my favourite. As a difficult-to-please Italian, few restaurants in Athens match up to it.
Restaurants: Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino Porinmou 13, Acropolis, Tel.: 210.921.1801 Al Bacio Posidonos Ave. 15, Vouliagmeni, Tel.: 210.896.0400 Botrini’s Vas. Georgiou΄ 24Β, Chalandri, Tel.: 210.68.57.324 Capanna Ploutarchou 38 & Charitos 42, Kolonaki, Tel.: 210.724.1777 Cosa Nostra Aghias Theklas 5, Psirri, Τel.: 210.331.0900 Da Bruno Ag. Alexandrou 46, Paleo Faliro, Tel.: 210.981.8959 Fuga Vas. Sofias & Kokkali 1, Central Athens, Tel.: 210 7242979 La Casa di Giorgino Lefkosias 42, Ano Glyfada, Tel.: 210. 963.8770 Paradiso Restaurant I. Apostolopoulou 58, Chalandri, Tel.: 210.672.2290, 210.674.8667 Priamo Κapodistriou 74, 14235, Nea Ionia, Tel.: 210.684.2099 Sale Bianco di Salvatore Markou Botsari 10A, Glyfada, Tel.: 210.898.6301 Nonna Pina 64 Ethn. Makariou str., Daphne, Tel.: 2109021118
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Celebrate love at Hilton Athens!
Romantic dinner for two, cocktails and dancing until the wee hours, relaxing massages at the spa or just cuddles under a warm blanket with a view of the illuminated city, Hilton Athens offers you a range of choices for an unforgettable experience with your better half. Savour a special five-course menu at the Galaxy Restaurant in an impressive surrounding that literally takes you to the stars. Try original cocktails at Galaxy Bar, especially created for Valentine’s day, with scrumptious finger food. If you prefer to dine at the Byzantino, enjoy a rich buffet in an elegant setting. If you are looking for a complete experience, Hilton offers a stay package which includes dinner for two at the Byzantino, one night stay in a double room with breakfast and access to the Hiltonia Spa. For such a special occasion, do not forget to make a gift to your beloved ones for an indulgent experience at the Hiltonia Spa. Choose one of the Valentine’s packages: “Spoil her”, a face and body treatment, “Adore him,” face treatment and head massage or “So happy together” a relaxing massage for both of you. Indulge yourself and your beloved in the luxury of Hilton Athens at very reasonable prices.
For the stay package call: 210.728.1100, for Byzantino call: 210.728.1400, for Galaxy Bar & Restaurant call: 210.728.1407,
for Hiltonia Spa call: 210.728.1801 or visit www.hiltonia.gr
Chocolate
All About Chocolate Athens Insider rounds up a list of all things chocolate-related in the city that make our lives that much sweeter. A Chocolate museum of our own Pavlidis Bitter Chocolate, one of Greece’s favorite and older chocolate brands celebrated 150 years since its introduction to the Greek market, with the inauguration of a chocolate museum, in 2011. An original museum, with the aim of introducing people of all ages to the secrets of chocolate manufacturing and the history of the legendary Greek chocolate maker that has seduced Greeks since 1861 with its bitter chocolate. eleu.kraftfoodscompany.com Chocolate spa Not quite like the Hershey’s hotel in the USA and its Chocolate Spa, but for a signature Lobi-Lobi treatment that includes a chocolate scrub and mask, massage, look no further than the I-Spa at the Athenaeum InterContinental. www.intercontinental.com Chocolate graphics Make a choco im-pression!! Is there anybody who doesn’t love chocolate? Anybody who doesn’t connect it with sweet memories? Chocolate Graphics puts imagination and of course great doses of chocolate into everything you can imagine: gifts, invitations, cards, wedding souvenirs...Its international patent includes digital printing of photos and graphs in every chocolate shape and taste you ask for. You can even create your own customised choco-items, designs and packaging. www.chocolategraphics.gr
Choco fountains The most impressive chocolate fountain in Athens is at Trano Pastry Shop on Ermou 78 in Monastiraki. But if you want to rent the ultimate chocolate fantasy, a chocolate fountain to call your own, Chocolate Girls is the answer. www.chocolategirls.gr Chocolate, movies and Johnny Depp Johnny Depp, who claims not to particularly like chocolate, starred in two chocolate releases: Chocolat, in 2000, the story of a woman (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter who open a chocolate shop in a small French village that shakes up the rigid morality of the community… and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a 2005 film based on Roald Dahl’s book. The storyline concerns Charlie, who takes a tour he has won, led by Wonka, through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world. Quite a lot of the chocolate things such as trees, flowers etc featured in the movie were created by chocolate shop Choccywoccydoodah in Brighton, UK. An earlier film-adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book was Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, in 1991. The famed chocolate river, created on a soundstage, was two feet deep and consisted of 150,000 gallons of water mixed with chocolate and cream. Another choco fact is that chocolate syrup was used for blood in the famous 45 second shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, Psycho, which actually took 7 days to shoot.
Choco facts!
he scientific term for the cocoa tree is ‘Theobroma Cacao’, •T which in Greek means ‘Food of the Gods’ • Greeks consume on an average of 4.5 kgs of chocolate per person, per year. • One chocolate chip provides enough food energy for an adult to walk 150 feet. Therefore, it takes about 35 chocolate chips to walk a mile or 875,000 to get you around the world. • It takes the whole of one year’s crop from one tree to make half a kilo of cocoa • More than 7 billion chocolate chips are eaten annually
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Chocolating 2013
For the 5th year in a row, discover, taste and savour the finest chocolate recipes, creations and pleasures at the Astir Palace Resort.
Chocolate is a special kind of pleasure: it’s always an extravagance, the fine ending of a dinner, a dietary sin we never regret, a child’s obsession and an adult’s object of desire.
Astir Palace Resort pays tribute to Chocolate and organizes the sweetest winter party. Pastry chefs Frantzeskos Sozos and Dimitris Chronopoulos create the perfect destination for lovers of chocolate, while chef Stratos Kalathakis creates a gourmet chocolate flavoured menu.
Il Tramonto, Arion Resort & Spa 23-24 February, 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17 March 2013 from 12:00 to 23:00 Entrance fees: €15 for adults, €8 for kids. Includes unlimited access to: • The story of Chocolate • Live chocolate creations • Chocolate tasting • Chocolate buffet • Chocolate house with chocolate surprises • Chocolate fountain and fondue • Chocolate drinks • Chocolate quiz
Join us every Sunday at 2pm for cooking workshops at €30 per person. For more information, please contact 210.8902000 or visit www.arionresortathens.com
Confectioners’ Confessions Two pastry chefs, Dimitris Chronopoulos, pastry chef for Deals and Valrhona and Frantzeskos Sozos of the Astir Palace Resort share their passion for chocolate
My favourite chocolate creation is ...
Frantzeskos Sozos
Dimitris: A dessert I’ve created - chocolate mousse with olive oil accompanied by vanilla ice cream, praline sticks, fresh raspberry sauce and baby arugula. Frantzeskos: This is an admittedly difficult question because whatever you create with good chocolate, the result is bound to be exceptional. However, I have a strong preference for a white chocolate mousse with yuzu, marshmallows, lime and almond crumble.
My love affair with chocolate began when .... Dimitris: In 1998, when I first tried Valrhona chocolate with my teacher and shortly after, when I went on a study trip to the École du Grand Chocolat in Lyon (Train Hermitage). That is when I really understood chocolate. Frantzeskos: My love affair with chocolate began in 1988, around Easter when I devoted endless hours creating handmade chocolate Easter eggs and other Easter goodies. That’s when I first discovered chocolate’s secrets and was taken in by its limitless possibilities.
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Dimitris Chronopoulos
Chocolate to me is ... Dimitris: A tasty treat …that takes you back in time into wonderful memories while simultaneously letting you dream of a fabulous future. Frantzeskos: Chocolate is undoubtedly the soul of confectionery. It is also a material that requires special attention and it is only if you respect and love it that you can achieve excellent results.
What is it about chocolate that it evokes such a strong response Dimitris: As a product, chocolate is unique, and I think our first childhood memories of sweets have to do with the first chocolate we ever tasted. Frantzeskos: I start with the obvious characteristics of chocolate, which is its exquisite taste, the aromas that its different varieties exude, and its ever-changing texture depending on how it has been treated. Chocolate also has some other hidden properties, including the ability to calm one down or to excite one.
Chocolate
If chocolate were a woman, she would be ... Dimitris: My other half. I would like to share most of my day with her. Frantzeskos: A beautiful little girl with all the sweetness, optimism and happiness that such a little creature could offer. As with a small child, if you handle chocolate well, you can become its Pygmalion and achieve extraordinary results.
The best chocolate I ever tasted ... Dimitris: The best chocolate I’ve tried is Valrhona’s Araguani, from Venezuela, which has the most ideal climate and weather for the production of cocoa in the world – a bit like Greece is best suited for olive oil. Frantzeskos: It was at a series of seminars that I attended where I tasted a rare variety of chocolate that comprises just 7% of global cacao production.
Is it true that one can really get addicted to chocolate? Dimitris: Maybe to some it might sound strange, but yes, it’s true! There are people addicted to chocolate who cannot go through their day without eating at least a small piece of chocolate or a slice of chocolate cake. Frantzeskos: It is true that when we like something too much we risk becoming addicted to it. However, this is not a rule because each person reacts differently to various stimuli. We should be confident that whatever is done in moderation is not likely to become an addiction.
Modern black forest with marzipan ice cream Ingredients (Quantities 20 pieces) 1. For the marzipan ice cream:
• 975 gr of milk • 300 gr of almond paste • 50 gr of milk powder 0% • 40 gr of crystal sugar • 75 gr of glucose powder • 6 gr of stabiliser Add milk with 2/3 spoons of sugar in a bowl on fire, at 38 degrees. Pour the rest of the sugar, stabiliser, milk powder and glucose powder. Add cream and almond paste at 45 degrees. At 82 degrees, take it off and leave for 12 hours to rest. Then freeze it in the ice cream machine.
2. For the chocolate-cherry biscuit
• 60 gr of egg yolks • 115 gr of white sugar • 100 gr of egg white • 45 gr of brown sugar • 40 gr of flour 55% • 35 gr of cocoa 140 gr of cherries • 150 gr of whole eggs Beat the egg whites separately with white sugar and the yolks with brown sugar. At the same time, sift cocoa with flour. Put together the three blends, add cherries and bake at 185 degrees for 9 mis.
3. For the white chocolate mousse
• 160 gr of milk • 300 gr of cream 35% • 280 gr of white chocolate • 4 gr of gelatine
4. For the black chocolate mousse
• 200 gr of milk • 4 gr of gelatine • 292 gr of chocolate 62% • 400 gr of cream 35% Same procedure for 3 & 4: Beat cream until solid and heat milk. Pour the gelatine and mix with chocolate in order to have a uniform blend. At 185 degrees, mix with whipped cream
5. For the ganache
• 80gr of milk • 10gr of honey, syrup and cream 35% • 80gr of glucose • 200gr of chocolate Heat milk with the rest of the ingredients except the chocolate. Add the chocolate after a while
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Chocolate
A retro chocolaterie Breathing new life into an age-old elixir is Chocolat 56 in the heart of Athens. Maria Stergiou reports.
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hocolate 56, as its name suggests, is a haven for chocoholics. Tucked away in a gallery off Ermou Street, you realize that something interesting and different is happening here, as you pass by the store. The idea for the boutique started off quite by accident, the ‘creative spirit’ of Chocolate 56, Pelagia, informs me. “Ten years ago, when I decided to create a chocolate boutique, I had no knowledge of chocolate. It was just the magnetic pull that I felt for this magic ingredient. Chocolate has an incredible history and several unique properties: it is the food of the gods of the Mayas and Aztecs, it is a known antidepressant and aphrodisiac. Chocolate makes you laugh, the scents make you travel. I just knew I had to do something with it”. So I started “searching and researching” for chocolate, participating in seminars in France and of course, trying everything related to chocolate. Pelagia continues, “Then I discovered Valhrona - for me, the best chocolate, and I haven’t stopped trusting it.”
were at Montmartre, not Ermou. The walls are choc-a-block with paintings, engravings and maps from an era gone-by and the music is very retro too. Old classics pour out and blend with Greek popular tunes from the ‘60s to lend a sense of nostalgia. Just taking the time to cherish precious moments seems so distant in our modern urban struggle of commuting, strikes, mobile phones and facebook…. that one needs to thank entrepreneurs like Pelagia who provide us with such needed escapes! At Chocolate 56, you can try all kinds of chocolate from white Ivoire chocolate to Noir Orange (with orange extract) and Jivara with natural vanilla. For the more adventurous, do not miss cakes layered with sweet paprika and cayenne pepper. Besides chocolate drinks, you will find handmade sweets, not necessarily all chocolate-based but the speciality of the boutique is a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate mosaic drenched in a rich chocolate covering.
“What was most important to me,” she continues, “was to create an environment full of character and old-world atmosphere. A place where one could spend a quiet afternoon in a friendly setting and mingle with other customers.”
The store has a multifaceted clientele from tourists who discover it while meandering through Athens’ narrow streets to devoted regulars who have been visiting the store for ages. Pelagia’s face lights up as she describes the many stories from customers who have moved to the other side of the world and sent postcards telling her of the remarkable warmth and friendliness they enjoyed at Chocolate 56. She also naughtily recounts stories of “sullen visitors who come in grumpy and leave the store with a smile.” For Pelagia, it is all thanks to chocolate which takes you on a magical journey and simply puts you in the right mood.
And we’ve managed that somewhat! Chocolate 56 has the look and feel of a Parisian cafe that one could be tempted to believe that you
Chocolate 56 is at Ermou 56. Tel: 210 20 28 201
“The beginning was difficult 10 years ago, chocolate was not so popular and people were not familiar with such strong and full flavours. Fortunately for us, Athenians now have more knowledge and have learned to appreciate good quality.”
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www.deals.com.gr
www.valrhona.com
The Bright side of Life Re-live memorable bitter-sweet choco-experiences at The Dark Side of Chocolate as Aristotelis Panayotaros pours his passion into his chocolates
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ristotelis Panayotaros set up The Dark Side of Chocolate on Solonos just over a year ago to fulfill his chocolate fantasy of making the world a happier place, one cocoa bean at a time. The experience, like chocolate, proved to be a bitter-sweet experience as anyone who has ventured into establishing a small business here will testify. But his passion for chocolate, fired up in Italy, where he studied under Andrea Bianchini, held him in good stead and today, his chocolate paradise has an eclectic mix of customers – from ambassadors to students – all bound by their common passion for chocolate. Trained in France at the prestigious Ferrandi school of Culinary Arts that has groomed generations of chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, caterers, restaurant managers and owners since its inception in 1920, Aristotelis discovered the special relationship the French have with chocolate. The French show enormous respect towards this complex ingredient and to this day, French chocolate artisans enjoy an established reputation for the high level of their originality and artistry. Aristotelis reminisces, “I had the honour of working next to Patrick Roger, one of the best MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) chocolatiers in France, a national honour bestowed on the top artisans in their respective fields. There are only just over 10 MOF chocolatiers cur-
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Chocolate
rently active in France. Little wonder then that the influence and penchant for precision of his mentor is evident in the refined chocolate confectionaries and beverages one finds at The Dark Side of Chocolate. On his return to Athens, Aristotelis first tried his skills at a local confectionery but very soon realized that what he really wanted to do was to create ‘his own personal chocolate lab’. Chocolate, for this young entrepreneur, is more than just a sweet treat. It is art. “It is a means of expression that can transform the elderly and bring a smile to a child’s face.” The boutique reflects the two worlds Athens inhabits - a stately air of tradition but home to Aristotelis’ quirky, modern innovations. The walls are painted in warm, chocolate hues and the floor is decorated with bold geometric tiling, that sits well not only with the look of this 1930’s building but also as the motif on the boutique’s gift boxes. And contrary to its possibly sinister sounding name, the boutique actually has a very cosy atmosphere, great for an indulgent pit-stop in the centre of Athens. For Aristotelis, the most gratifying part of the whole experience is the response he receives from his customers. “It is an incredible boost for creativity!”
While he takes great pains to ‘customise’ every beverage and chocolate to the personal tastes of his customers, his own all-time favourite flavour is chocolate with basil, allspice and zest of lime. Other flavours at Dark Side of Chocolate include chocolate with honey and cardamom, basil and rosemary, pink pepper,violet petals, cedar, you-nameit. As Aristotelis puts it, “whatever the flavour, the chocolate is always made with a lot of fresh ingredients and the best raw materials.” He adds, “Chocolate is an extremely delicate substance, quite like a woman. You treat her well, she will give in to you, arms held out.” We ask him, ‘The best chocolate he has ever tasted’ ..... and without a blink he answers, “those of Patrick Roger.” You can browse through to shop for handmade chocolates and make the event even more special by enjoying chocolate beverages or organic chocolates with friends while doing so. It is very likely that Aristotelis will pop in with a suggestion that you must absolutely try or even roll out fresh chocolate truffles while conversing with you, urging you to taste it. For Valentine’s and personalized requests, book ahead of time. The boutique is open until late and throughout the week, except Sundays. The Dark Side of Chocolate, Solonos 49. Tel: 6982803418
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My Athens English-French Tony Gabriel of La Chocolatiere has been living in Athens for 25 years catering to the catering needs of embassies, schools, companies and just about anyone who wants to throw a great party.
u What do you do? I have a company called La Chocolatière. We are caterers and consultants, working here in Greece and abroad.
u Which area of Athens do you live in? By the sea in Glyfada.
u What do you see from your balcony? The blue of the sea in front of me and the green of the forest next to me, birds all around.
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My Athens u Describe Athens in three words. Lively – Sad at times - Multicultural.
u The most endearing and most annoying quality of Athenians. Sociable and friendly/rude.
u C an you describe a quintessentially Athenian sound, smell, taste and sight? Sound Smell Taste Sight
Cars passing Chocolate from the Pavlidis factory on Pireaos Street Wild Greens salad The Acropolis seen from everywhere
u Has Athens become a foodie’s paradise? Its getting there. With the multiculturalism comes lots of foreign cooking.
u Most positive change in Athens over the last ten years. The circulation has improved if not the manner.
u A perfect evening out would be: With friends over a good meal.
u Your all-time favourite restaurant The fish taverna across from the Temple of Sounion.
u T he perfect place to host a party in the city Anywhere where you can enjoy a mellow summer moonlit night.
u Y our ideal weekend getaway from Athens. Nafplion to visit Fougaro.
u Your ideal Greek souvenir for friends and family. A memory of a night spent on a small boat somewhere on a calm Aegean sea.
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Live Life, This Valentine’s treat your loved one to a truly special experience. A stay at The Life Gallery that combines luxurious accommodation, gourmet cuisine, an exquisite spa and high aesthetics. A real treat for the senses. With spring around the corner and romance on the agenda, The Life Gallery nestled in the midst of pine forests and with a breathtaking view of the majestic Parnitha, in the exclusive suburb of Ekali, is a getaway that nurtures the senses.
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bluegr LIFE GALLERY athens
Love Life Designed by architect Vassilis Roadatos who works for Bluegr and Klein & Haller from Germany who worked on the project, The Life Gallery is minimalist yet exudes warmth. The Attic light streams in through the 12 metre high glass windows and the hotel is bathed in an ethereal glow. The cosy indoors spill onto the external space seamlessly and is perfect for relaxation. Pick a book, drink
coffee, sunbathe, surf the internet, or simply dive into either one of the two inviting pools. Share the magic by inviting friends to a pool party, picture yourself enjoying a drink with your friends by the pool while listening to wonderful music and savouring award-winning Michelin chef Lefteris Lazarou’s exquisite culinary creations under the moonlight. An ideal setting for special romantic moments or fun time with friends.
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Quite clearly the hottest destination in town, The Kool Life Bar and the Kool Restaurant are the epitome of cool living. The Kool Llife restaurant itself is done up in shades of black and white, reminiscent of blackboards with a long hand scrawl running across its length. An entire wall dedicated to displaying and selling authentic Greek ingredients used in the kitchen showcase the bounties of the Greek soil and its unique contribution to Greece’s rich culinary heritage. To cap it all, Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou brings ‘kool’ to life with his kool life recipes. The menu is typical Lazarou with an accent on fresh fish and other wonders caught from the depths of the Aegean. Lazarou combines improbable flavours and textures to create a dish that is so exquisite, that the experience is worth savouring as unhurriedly as possible. At The Kool Llife bar passionate red is the dominant colour with distinctive cocktails and finger food setting the tone for the evening ahead.
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bluegr LIFE GALLERY athens
Indulge in a weekend of shopping at the nearby shopping centres of Kifisia or even visit the Athens Mall and Golden Hall and then unwind with a round of tennis at the Ekali tennis club, or walk in the woods and trekking paths of Ekali, before soaking in the quiet luxury that The Life Gallery offers. With suites and rooms designed to make the optimal, aesthetic use of space with intelligence, here is a hotel room you’d want to stay in, despite the temptations that lurk in the lobby. Ananea by Olive Tree Spa is a zen-zone that instantly transports you to a calmer place. A meditation area strewn with vibrant pillows overlooks both pools on either side – an area to retreat with a book or a cup of herbal tea before or after a treatment. The spa itself is the domain of trained therapists from Thailand who practice age-old techniques in relieving the body of stress and unwanted toxins through a ritual of stretching and channelizing energy flows. The spa also offers facials and sessions in reflexology. A spa that promises, as its name Ananea suggests, to rejuvenate both body and soul. Open for non-guests.
The Life Gallery. A getaway for the senses. A break within the city. A Life experience.
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FOX Programming Highlights February 2013
NEW SERIES
RETURNING SERIES
JO
THE WALKING DEAD 3 (RETURN FROM HIATUS)
PREMIERE: Wednesday 27/2 @ 21:30 FOX continues to bring you the best international series, and has secured an exclusivity to the upcoming police procedural drama, ‘Jo’! ‘Jo’ presents Hollywood superstar Jean Reno as Jo St-Clair, a veteran detective in Paris’ elite Criminal Brigade tackling the city’s most challenging murder cases. The series takes the audience behind the scenes of Paris’ most iconic locations – the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Catacombs, Place Vendome. St-Clair is partnered with rookie detective Bayard, a good-looking college-educated cop whose by-the-book approach stands in marked contrast to St-Clair’s lone-wolf methods. “Jo” was created by Emmy Award-winning writer-producer René Balcer (“Law & Order”, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”). Balcer serves as the series’ showrunner and Executive Producer, writing and producing the show in association with co-creators Franck Ollivier and Malina Detcheva. Don’t forget to stay with your favorite channel, and catch all the action! NEW SEASON
PREMIERE: Monday 11/2 @ 00.00 (Less than 24 hours after US premiere) They’re back… On February 11, less than 24 hours after the official premiere in the US, FOX is giving you an exclusive opportunity to watch the second half of this global mass phenomenon. What have we seen so far? First - Herschel gets bit by a walker, and has his infected leg amputated to keep him alive. Lori gives birth to her child in a shady boiler room, and in an attempt to save the child, ends up being killed by her own son Carl, who has evolved into quite the cold blooded zombie executioner. Finally, in his attempt to protect Carol, TDog gets bit on the shoulder, and ends up being eaten alive! Wow… The dramatic first half of the season left our heads spinning, and although the show’s producers are being very secretive about what we can expect in the second half, fans know it’s about time the action ignites!
TOUCH 2 PREMIERE: Thursday 28/2 @ 21.30 FOX brings you with the hottest returning shows. Created by Tim Kring (Heroes), ‘Touch’ is a drama that blends science and spirituality to explore the hidden connections which bind together all of humanity. At the center of this distinctive series is Martin Bohm (Kiefer Sutherland), a widower and single father, haunted by an inability to connect to his emotionally challenged 11-year-old son, Jake (David Mazouz). In Season Two, the story setting shifts from New York to Los Angeles, where Martin and his gifted son Jake are on the run from the mysterious and possibly sinister research facility Aster Corps, which had shown tremendous interest in exploiting Jake’s ability to perceive the hidden patterns that connect people around the world. After arriving on the West Coast, the father-son team meet distraught mother Lucy Robbins and are determined to help find her missing – and equally gifted – daughter. Touch is a production of Chernin Entertainment and Tailwind Productions, in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Tim Kring created the series and wrote the pilot. Kring, Francis Lawrence (Water for Elephants), Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Kiefer Sutherland, Suzan Bymel (The War at Home) and Carol Barbee (Jericho) are the executive producers. On February 28, don’t forget to tune into FOX, and find out exactly just how interconnected we all are!
© TCFTD
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© AMC
© AMC
© AMC
Once Upon a Time 2
Modern Family 4
PREMIERE: Monday 11/2 @ 21:00
PREMIERE: Tuesday 26/2 @ 21:00
“Once Upon a Time” is a fantasy-drama series, created by “Lost” and “Tron: Legacy” writers, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. FOXlife is switching gears, and bringing you the critically acclaimed 2nd season, while offering a fresh, new, and powerful Monday night drama lineup.Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) gets the surprise of her life when Henry (Jared Gilmore), the son she gave up 10 years ago, arrives on her doorstep. The boy’s return to his adoptive mother becomes complicated when Henry reveals a stunning theory to Emma. Everyone in Storybrooke, Maine is a fairytale character under a curse, and Emma - as the long lost daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming - is the one who can save them all. The story unfolds; interweaving scenes of the drama in the sleepy New England town and the inhabitants’ past lives in the world of fairy tales. The first season ended with The Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) interrupting the wedding of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince “Charming” James (Josh Dallas) to announce that she will cast a curse on everyone and take away all their love so that she is the only one with a happy ending. The season 2 premiere will pick up right where the finale left off, just minutes after magic has been reintroduced, whereas regret and redemption will be the theme for the new episodes. Producers have hinted that we may see entire episodes of this season being set in either Fairytale Land or in Storybrooke. All you have to do is let FOXlife walk you into the fairy tale, and find your role in the timeless battle of good vs. evil!
This mockumentary style sitcoms follows the families of Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill), his daughter Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) and his son Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), who all live in Los Angeles. Claire is a homemaker mom married to Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell). They have three children: Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter) and Luke (Nolan Gould). Jay is married to a much younger Colombian woman Gloria who is played by Sofia Vergara, and is helping her raise her pre-teen son Manny (Rico Rodriguez). In addition to these characters, there is also Mitchell Pritchett (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and his partner Cameron Tucker (Eric Stonestreet) who have adopted a Vietnamese baby, Lily Tucker-Pritchett. “Modern Family” was renewed for a fourth season and two months later, after the show received 14 Emmy Award nominations, series creators Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd shared some of the story lines stating that the season premiere is kind of picking up right where it was left off, with Gloria’s announcement to the audience that she’s pregnant. As you can imagine, everyone has big reactions to this news, and the whole episode is about that. Gloria will be gaining weight but not wanting to change any of her outfits, which is funny and the male fans of the show will have to deeply appreciate FOXlife for that (!) while Jay will be anxious, and Claire a little jealous. Mitch and Cameron will be dealing with the contrast between their unsuccessful attempts to adopt a second child during the third season and Gloria’s unintended pregnancy. This series -as the highestrated program among adults 18-49 for the second consecutive season- has built a strong fan base and FOXlife aims at maintaining this distinction for the new season as well!
FOXlife
NEW SEASON
© ABC
CATCH ANOTHER GLIMPSE
MELISSA & JOEY 2 Weekdays, as of Friday 15/2 @ 22:40 FOXlife is giving you another opportunity to catch all the wacky family fun in the second season of “Melissa & Joey’. Starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence, season two of “Melissa & Joey” picks up with Mel’s (Hart) house in disarray after the bathtub crashed through the living room in the season one finale. Joe (Lawrence) continues to help Mel raise her teenage niece (Taylor Spreitler) and nephew (Nick Robinson), while she pursues her career in local politics. The second season features such guest stars as Debi Mazar (“Entourage”), Cody Linley (“Dancing with the Stars, “Hannah Montana”), Gregg Sulkin (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) and comedienne Rita Rudner.
© TCFTD
Programming Highlights February 2013
NEW SEASON
© TCFTD
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love is in the air
4cuori,ceramic plate by Laura Ellero, available at Zoumboulakis Gallery
Chair by Drantakis Panagiotis, available at Astrolavos art Gallery
Happy BubbleDay Box Red Fruit Bubble Bath and Red Fruit Hand Wash, Sephora. Available at Sephora.
St. Valentine’s Day is a reminder that all you need is love. Patia Iordanidou picks a few romantic products to get you pampered and prepped for this special evening with your special someone. Eau de Parfum Valentine’s Day Limited Edition Very Irresistible, Givenchy
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Perfumed Candle Paradisiac Pink Pepperpod, Molton Brown, available at Heaven on Earth, Attica
Heaven on Earth, Levidou 16, Kifissia, Tel: 210 808 1151 Attica Center, CityLink Panepistimiou 9, Tel: 211 180 2600, Kifissias 37A, Maroussi, Tel: 211 181 4000 Attica Mediterranean Cosmos Mall, 11km National Road Thessaloniki – Moudania, Tel: 231 181 3130 Hondos Center, Omonia Square 4, Tel: 210-5282800, Pentelis 4, Halandri, Tel: 210 685 1166-7 Sephora, Ermou 24, Tel: 210 331 3167, A. Metaxa 33-35, Glyfada, Tel: 210 894 3378 Zoumboulakis Gallery, Kriezotou 6, 20 Tel: 210 360 8278 Sticky, Lazaraki 39, Glyfada, Tel: 801 3003 803 Astrolavos Art gallery, Irodotou 11, Kolonaki, Tel: 210 722 1200 Oenocosmos, Orlof 5, Tel : 210.921.2205
Agora Love is in the air photophore, by H. Lambert,print on glass_65e, available at Zoumboulakis Gallery Perfect Rouge Lipstick, Shiseido
Eau de Parfum Loverdose for Women, Diesel Malvasia di Castelnuovo don Bosco, available at Oenocosmos
Color Riche Le Vernis, L’Oreal, Hondos Center
Sticker for Laptop LOVE GRAFFITI, available at sticky.gr
Eau de Perfum Tresor Midnight Rose in Love Edition, Lancome Fragrance CK One Shock Street Edition for Him and for Her, Calvin Klein
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Absinthe Purifying Hand Cream, Body Shop
’
Beau ty bag Bio – Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream, Shiseido
A pick of our favourite beauty products for this month to look fresh, beautiful and winter-ready. Attica Center, CityLink Panepistimiou 9, 211 1802600, 37A Kifissias Avenue, Maroussi, 211 1814000 Attica Mediterranean Cosmos Mall, 11km National Road Thessaloniki – Moudania Apivita store, Solonos 26, Kolonaki, 210 3640560 Body Shop, P. Ioakim 5, Kolonaki, 210 7259166 Neal’s Yard Showroom, Ag. Varvaras 57, Halandri, 210 67 29 158, www.organicbeauty.gr Sephora, Ermou 24, Tel: 210 331 3167, A. Metaxa 33-35, Glyfada, 210 894 3378
46 insider athens | February 2013
Precision Shade Brush, Make Up For Ever. Available at Sephora.
Beauty Professional Long Lasting Eye liner and Volume Mascara Black Volcanic Minerals, Korres. Available at pharmacies and drug stores
Wild Rose Beauty Balm, Neal’s Yard Remedies. You ‘ll find it at the Neal’s Yard Showroom and at the Care Lab, Attica Center
Face mask with royal jelly, Apivita. Available at Apivita store, pharmacies and drug stores
Paris L’ Eau Rose limited edition Eau de Toilette, Balenciaga
Hair oil treatment Elixir Ultime, Kerastase. Available only in hair salons.
Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Tease, Estee Lauder
insider athens | February 2013 47
Special promotion
A mountain-home by the sea Looking for an idyllic country home that combines mountain vistas and pristine blue waters? Pelion, with its charming villages and terraced fruit orchards might be the answer.
A
t an altitude of 1550 metres, Pelion is known as the garden of Greece. On the west side, picturesque villages are set between shimmering olive groves while in the east, dense forests alternate with lush and carefully created terraced fruit groves. A labyrinth of waterways find their way through waterfalls and gorges to meet the sea in romantic little bays and sandy beaches. This idyllic landscape has been famous for centuries for its sweet herbs and is the ancient home of the mythical centaurs of old Greece. Pelion’s landscapes are ideal for visitors who want to explore its natural beauty on foot. There are many old stone paths and interesting trails which connect the mountain villages with the tiny settlements at the seaside. Many of these spots invite to dwell and to spend time to take in the views and smells and luscious atmosphere. It is also great for sports aficionados into skiing, snow-boarding, trekking, mountain biking and jeep excursions. With its snow-covered mountain peaks and sapphire blue sea, Pelion comes alive as much in the winter as in the summer.
Pelion Villas for Sale The charming community of Agios Ioannis is located on the shores of northeastern Pelion, about 5 kms north of Mouresi and 8 kms from Tsagarada. It used to be part of Agios Dimitrios but it now is a resort in its own right. In early 20th century it started out as a little fishing hamlet but it soon evolved into favourite seaside resort of affluent Greeks on Pelion. In the past decade or so Agios Ioannis has rapidly developed into quite a well organized resort with extremely good accommodation facilities and several quaint restaurants, traditional tavernas, animated cafeterias, bars and pubs, most of which are found along the promenade, on the other side of which lies a lovely shingle beach. For those looking at investing in a second home, properties for sale include: 1. Three two storey villas, 130 m2 in 250 m2 of land each one. 2. Two two storey villas, 154 m2 in 500 m2 of land each one. At Plaka Beach, Mouresi in Pelio. Contact Details: Mihalis Koulas Tel: +30 210 3818300, E-mail: contact@pelionvillas.eu
48 insider athens | February 2013
New chill-out zones
Momix Molecular gastronomy mixes with the latest bartending techniques to create an explosive result in the heart of trendy Gazi. As its name suggests, MoMix is an abbreviation of two words, molecular and mixology. With an industrial ambience and strong wooden elements, Momix is the new ‘it’ place in town. The mixologist and virtuoso bartender Aris Chatziantoniou gives it his all and wows us with his fancy concoctions. By the way, have you ever tried cocktail in a...plate? Look no further. Kelou 1-5, Gazi, Tel: 697.435.0179
Osterman The new meeting point where minimalism meets retro. Housed in a lovely neo-classical structure that used to lodge a wholesaler of fabrics in what usedto-be the textile district of Athens, the bar still has the name of its predecessor hanging above its eight metre high entrance. The bar, named after Robert Ludlum’s classic thriller The Osterman Weekend, has a promising cocktail list and a setting reminiscent of black and white cinema and New York in the 50’s. With modern fittings and old features that have been restored with great care, Osterman also has simple yet delicious Meditterrean dishes if you feel puckish after a drink. Aghias Eirinis Sq. 10, Tel: 210.324.3331
50 insider athens | February 2013
Nightlife Dimosthenis Therianos, always on the prowl for a good time, picks up four new bars that promise to make Athenian nightlife an even more interesting prospect
Hip Café A minimal New York style all day bar, bang in the city centre. The luminous, modern space and relaxing ambience make you feel welcome right as you walk in. Hip Café is great as a quick stop for a working brunch and coffee, as well as for a nightout with friends. Its homemade pies and snacks are definitely worth recommending. Mitropoleos 26, Syntagma Tel: 213.015.4698
360 Cocktail bar Three different levels, sixty cocktails and the best ever views of the Acropolis. Anything else you could hope for? Of course yes, a menu wittily tied with the industrial design and urban aesthetics of our gritty city. The list includes “intriguing” dishes such as Galvanized Cables pasta, Serrated Fence lamb and Tarpaulin millefueille!!! Ifestou 2, Monastiraki Sq, Tel: 210.321.0006
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Mono-poly of taste Chef Olivier Campanha seduces Athenians with his refined cuisine and down-to-earth approach to high gastronomy.
O
ne of the beautiful things I love about this city is that you turn a corner and you serendipitously stumble upon a gem. Despite the crisis, or especially because of it, in a bizarrely surreal way, the city has never been so full of such exciting dining options. The chance encounters, the random discoveries of pretty good restaurants in unlikely places is what we thrive on, so when we came across Mono tucked into a side street just behind the Metropolitan cathedral, a five-minute walk from Syntagma, here was a find to treasure. Sharing commercial space with iconographers and vendors of ecclesiastic paraphernalia, Mono is an unpretentious restaurant with exquisitely good food, very artful plating and excellent service. Chef Olivier Campanha, at the helm of Mono, comes with an enviable pedigree. Just thirty three, he has worked at some of the most sought-after restaurants in London and Paris, including the three Michelin starred Sketch and La Tour d’Argent. But sometimes that kind of reputation might be intimidating and you might actually expect a frilly creation that looks and tastes very different from what the menu promises. Mercifully Campanha avoids the pitfalls of overplaying on the chemistry to produce a truly ethereal meal, subtle in flavours and generous in portions.
It was a drenchingly wet Friday afternoon when we decided to lunch at Mono. We’d decided to try a bit of everything to get a fair idea of what was on offer and the drab afternoon soon turned into a veritable feast.
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For starters, we had a beautifully seared foie gras, perfect in texture and consistency with a caramelised breast of duck with pepper crust and plum sauce. The creamy and lusciously comforting risotto Vialone Nano with pumpkin & pecorino cheese had just the right bite and was rich in flavor. But if this was a good start to a meal, the next two dishes had us converted into this new Mono-theist religion. The pappardelle with seasonal mushrooms, seemingly a simple dish, but seasoned just right and cooked to perfection is a dish I’d highly recommend you order. And sealing Mono’s status as definitely a restaurant to watch out for is the melt-in-your-mouth perfection that is the braised beef cheek served with pumpkin, spinach & and celeriac puree. We caught up with the affable Olivier Campanha for a quick interview. What prompted you to come to Greece after a successful career in the UK and France? I grew up in a small village near Rouen with just 90 inhabitants – my restaurant here seats more! I started working in the restaurant business from the age of 15 and have worked with the biggest names in the industry. Before coming to Greece, I was the Head Chef at Sketch in London, the three star Michelin restaurant under the legendary Pierre Gagnaire. While at Sketch, I was the youngest chef to ever receive a Michelin star. In Paris, I was at the Pierre Gagnaire and La Tour d’Argent, both three star Michelin restaurants and monuments of haute cuisine in the eating capital of the world. It seems crazy to
Restaurant review
have given it all up to come to Athens but after 10 years in London and the birth of our daughter, we decided to move to Greece. But our move to Greece wasn’t planned at all. I was supposed to move to Pierre Gagnaire’s new restaurant in Las Vegas but there were delays in the project and we came to Greece on a 6 month long holiday. By then we were sold on Greece and didn’t want to leave. How have you made the Athenian gastronomic scene a more interesting place with the presence of Mono? Since I came to Greece four years ago, I tried working at two different places but I soon realized I wanted to be my own boss. It is a very demanding profession and it is very different when you have the responsibility of paying others who work for you. The concept at Mono is refined, wholesome food. I have known Greece long before it was exposed to more refined tastes. With the crisis, we have had a reality check and the trends have changed. Customers do not want to see a pretty plate, they want to taste and see what they are paying for. Why did you choose Mono as a name for your restaurant? It was just an act of laziness. The restaurant that was housed here before was called Mono and the paperwork to change it all seemed so monstrous that we decided to keep the same name! The restaurant business is a difficult one at the best of times. How do you manage to run a restaurant business successfully in the midst of a crisis? I think the crisis will clean out the market. After a year of opening the restaurant, I’m very happy. In a recession, people want to be happy with what they have - simple food at affordable prices where you can spend quality time with friends. That is what we offer. And our guests leave saying that they’ll come back. I couldn’t ask for more. One of the lessons I learnt early on was that chefs aren’t doctors or firemen. We don’t save lives. People don’t come to us out of necessity. We just made soup. But the fact that people CHOOSE to come to us to have a good time means that we are doing something right and in some ways, we’re more important for their well being than the life-savers!
What are the two things you look for when you go to a restaurant? I have such little free time that when I go out, I just want to have a good time, and not be too judgmental. Of course, I notice all the mistakes faster than the average customer. You’ve introduced a tapas menu and have specials lined up for Valentine’s and for the Carnival. Do you believe that the key lies in innovating constantly? It is important to keep it fresh and interesting. We organize a degustation menu on two Thursdays in the month where we have five different wines from one vineyard served with a five course meal for just 35 euros a head. Describe a typical Mono customer. They are discerning clients – some who have known me from before and have followed me around. Others who come here at least three or four times a week and want to try something different each time round. We have very young customers too but basically I’d like to describe a Mono customer as one who enjoys it so much that he wants to come back. On a personal note, do you cook at home? Never. What is your favourite comfort food? Just a simple bowl of pasta is all I need. If there was only one thing you could eat, (health, money and calories aside) what would it be? I eat almost everything but the one thing I cook but don’t eat is liver! Mono organizes special menus for St Valentines and the Carnival this February. For more information visit www.monorestaurant.gr Mono, Venizelou Palaiologou 4C, Plaka Tel.: 210.322.6711
insider athens | February 2013 53
Bistro à la française Avenue at the Metropolitan Hotel, inspired by Michel Roux and with chef Akis Petretzikis at the helm, captures the essence of a French bistro
L
ocated on the bustling Syngrou Avenue that connects Athens to the coastal suburbs and Piraeus, Avenue is a new pit-stop that offers French and Mediterranean cuisine in a warm, bistro setting, a pleasant counterpoint to the commotion outside. The setting is unpretentious and has the character of a typical French bistro with sturdy rattan chairs and deep vermillion leather seats to sink into. The décor is unfussy and minimalistic. The accent here is on food at affordable prices. In fact, the menu changes regularly and is presented both on the board as in a Parisian café and on very chic, recyclable brown paper, for those who would like to study it at leisure. For starters we had a light, puffy burst of salty cheese soufflé with a moist, warm inside and crusted bottoms and sides. The classic Milanese risotto with chorizo, sauté shrimps, mascarpone and ever-so delicately flavoured saffron was just right and since the portions were more than generous, we were hardly hungry for the mains.
54 insider athens | February 2013
Restaurant review We both opted for duck: my friend chose the classic duck à l’orange cooked on the rôtisserie accompanied by mashed potatoes while I opted for a duck confit – dishes we’d recommend you try, as the true goodness of French cuisine comes through in these dishes. Michel Roux, who is the chef consultant at the restaurant, visits Greece once every few months and is scheduled to be in Athens at Avenue during St. Valentine’s week. Roux, whose legendary talents have earned him an OBE and several national recognitions from his native France, was the first chef to receive three Michelin stars in Britain for Le Gavroche. The Waterside Inn was the first restaurant outside France to hold three stars for a period of 25 years. Roux remains an active food writer and has appeared on television shows such as Saturday Kitchen, MasterChef as well as the Roux family centric series, The Roux Legacy. Apparently Roux interviewed several chefs before settling on Akis Petretzikis, familiar to Greeks as the winner of the first Greek Master Chef competition and through his daily television shows on Mega. Petretzikis brings with him years of experience acquired at The Goring Hotel in London (where Kate Middleton stayed just before the royal nuptials) and at the Havana restaurant to create a menu of high expectations. Roux’s criterion was to have a young talented chef who could reproduce French bistro cuisine without getting into high-jinx pretensions. Roux’s choice seems to have paid off. The kitchen at the Avenue is open in conception so diners can actually watch Petretzikis cook, taste,
and concoct his sauces in full view. A great believer in interaction holding the key to a good dining experience, Petretzikis steps away from his kitchen counter to mingle with guests, recommending dishes, exchanging opinions and generally getting a first-hand feel of the customer’s expectations. Avenue is the only restaurant in Athens to have a rotisserie and the encouraging comments Petretzikis has received spur him on to create more specials including the Sunday roast, perfect comfort food for the family over the weekend. Insisiting on the extremely accessible prices at the Avenue, Petretzikis continues, “French sauces take an average of six to seven days to prepare and we insist on fresh ingredients. A similar meal with the same standards anywhere else in the world would be priced at least three times as much. As most chefs, Petretzikis himself has never “had the luxury of sitting down and enjoying a meal at his own restaurant” but if he were to step out for a bite, he would absolutely expect value-for-money. “If I pay 5 euros, I expect to eat for 5 euros, if I pay 50 euros, I expect to have an experience worth that much.” The crisis has wizened up Greeks to become more value-conscious compared to the insouciance of the past few years. “Now they are more aware. They know where they want to give their money and why they give it.” Petretzikis concludes, “Our best calling card is our customer who spreads our reputation by word-of- mouth.” For more information for St. Valentine’s offers and Sunday brunches visit www.chandris.gr Avenue, Metropolitan Hotel, Sygrou Avenue 385, Tel: 210 9471 001
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Insider guide refer to corresponding area for more information and contact details
restaurant index by type AMERICAN JACKSON HALL Kolonaki TGI FRIDAY’S Kolonaki
ARGENTINEAN ORO TORO Vouliagmeni
ASIAN Far East Glyfada Golden Phoenix Halandri NUI, Kifissia Wagamama Maroussi
BAR - RESTAURANTS Apsendi Halandri BACARO Omonia BALTHAZAR Mavili Sq BARAONDA Mavili Sq CINCO, Kolonaki Eclipse Kolonaki KITCHEN BAR Faliro & Halandri FRAME Kolonaki GINGER Mavili Sq ISLAND Vouliagmeni NIXON Kerameikos PARKO ELEFTHERIAS, Mavili Sq SEMIRAMIS RESTAURANT Kifissia SHOWROOM Kolonaki
FISH RESTAURANTS Ai Nikolas Syngrou CAPTAIN JOHN’S Piraeus ITHAKI Vouliagmeni JIMMY AND THE FISH Piraeus KASTELORIZO Kifissia Kollias Syngrou LA PECHE Glyfada MILOS Hilton MYTHOS OF THE SEA Vouliagmeni PAPADAKIS Kolonaki PLOUS PODILATOU Piraeus Psaroma Halandri THALATTA Gazi TO 25ARAKI, Glyfada VAROULKO Kerameikos ZEFYROS Piraeus
FISH TAVERNAS Almyra Halandri DOURAMBEIS Piraeus Ichthyes Kifissia KOLLIAS Piraeus MAISTRALI Vouliagmeni PSARAKI Vouliagmeni TRATA O STELIOS Pangrati VASSILENAS Piraeus
FRENCH L’ABREUVOIR Kolonaki LE PETIT SOMMELIER Faliro MONO RESTAURANT, Plaka SPONDI Pangrati TARTARE Glyfada VARDIS Kifissia
GOURMET AVENUE Syngrou Bo Botrini’s Halandri KUZINA Thissio Eclipse Kolonaki Fuga Mavili Square Funky Gourmet Kerameikos
HYTRA, Syngrou KOOL LIFE, Kifissia P-Box Kolonaki Polly Magoo Metaxurgeio PremiEre Syngrou
GREEK 2 MAZI Plaka ATHIRI Kerameikos Berdema Kifissia CUCINA POVERA Pangrati DAKOS Kolonaki DIPORTO Psyrri ELAIS GI, Kifissia ELIAS KOUKOUTSI, Voula EDODI Acropolis FASOLI Exarhia IDEAL Omonia KARAVITIS Pangrati KAVOURAS Exarhia MANI MANI Acropolis MELILOTOS, Monastiraki PLATANOS Plaka PSOMI & ALATI, Halandri RAKOKAZANO, Halandri PROSOPA Gazi TO KOUTI Monastiraki YANTES Exarhia YDRIA Plaka
GRILL Meat Square Glyfada & Halandri Meatropoleos 3 Syntagma Telemachos Barbeque Club Kifissia
INDIAN Indian Kitchen Syntagma Indian Masala Thissio ISKANDAR Alimos JAIPUR PALACE, Kifissia KOHENOOR, Gazi
INTERNATIONAL Ache Glyfada Gefsis Me Onomasia Proelefsis Kifissia
ITALIAN 30 SOMETHING, Halandri AGLIO OLIO Acropolis ACQUA AZZURA Kifissia AL BACIO Vouliagmeni AL FRESCO Vouliagmeni AL MILANESE Kolonaki ALTRO Kolonaki BOSCHETTO Kolonaki CANTUCCIO Psyrri DA VINCI Ag. Paraskevi DVLCIS IN FVNDO Voula GENOVESE Voula LA CASA DI GIORGINO Gyfada IL SEGRETO Voula Il Tinello Faliro IL TRAMONTO, Vouliagmeni MAGIAMO BY MEAT SQUARE, Kifissia Mauzac Maroussi Matilde Pizza Bar Gazi Nanninela Ag. Paraskevi Pausa Maroussi
Piazza Mela Kifissia, di Antonio Halandri SALE E PEPE Kolonaki SCALA VINOTECA Kolonaki TONY BONANO Piraeus VEZENE, Hilton VINCENZO Glyfada
JAPANESE DOSIRAK Syntagma FAR EAST Syntagma FREUD ORIENTAL Kolonaki FURIN KAZAN Syntagma GOLDEN PHOENIX Kifissia INBI Kolonaki KIKU Kolonaki MATSUHISA ATHENS Vouliagmeni NOODLE BAR Syntagma SHOGUN Kifissia Square Sushi Kolonaki
LEBANESE BEIRUT Glyfada NARA NARA Psyrri NARGILE Kifissia
MEDITERRANEAN Alatsi Hilton Apla Kifissia BAKU Vouliagmeni BEREKET Glyfada BRACHERA Monastiraki BYZANTINE RESTAURANT Hilton CAFE AVYSSINIAS Monastiraki CAFE BOHEME Kolonaki Common Secret Kifissia CASH, Kifissia DAPHNE’S RESTAURANT Plaka DORIS Monastiraki FATSIO Pangrati GB CORNER Syntagma HYTRA Plaka IDEAL RESTAURANT Omonia KITRINO PODILATO Gazi KOUZINA CINE-PSIRRI Psyrri MAGEMENOS AVLOS Pangrati Mauzac Kifissia MEIDANIS Monastiraki NICE N EASY, Kolonaki OCHRE & BROWN Psyrri Olio by Portofino Ag. Paraskevi PARLIAMENT Syntagma PRYTANEION Kolonaki PSARAKI Vouliagmeni RATKA Kolonaki TA KIOUPIA Kolonaki TO KOUTI Monastiraki ZEPHYROS Piraeus ZORBAS Piraeus
MEXICAN AMIGOS Glyfada DOS HERMANOS Kifissia EL TACO BUENO Maroussi Santa Fe Halandri
MEZEDES AND OUZO ATHINAIKON Omonia KIRKI Thissio
OUZADIKO Kolonaki SCHOLARHEIO Plaka
MULTI ETHNIC Altamira Kolonaki
PERSIAN ANAHITA, Halandri
POLYNESIAN KONA KAI Syngrou
PUB RESTAURANTS BAYERN BIERHAUS MICROBREWERY Glyfada MOLLY MALONE’S Glyfada
RETRO Aneton Maroussi
ROOFTOP DINING ELECTRA Plaka GALAXY BAR Hilton IOANNIS Syntagma LE GRAND BALCON Kolonaki ORIZONTES LYKAVYTTOU Kolonaki ST’ASTRA Mavili Sq
SOUVLAKIA AND KEBAB BUTCHER’S SHOP Gazi DREAM GRILL Voula Gourounakia Kifissias Kifissia KALAMAKI KOLONAKI Kolonaki KILIZA Glyfada NAIADES Voula SAVVAS Monastiraki SCHARA Vouliagmeni SIGALAS-BAIRAKTARIS Monastiraki Souvlaki Bar Thissio THANASSIS Monastiraki Tike Kifissia
SCANDINAVIAN SAFKA, Kerameikos
SPANISH JAMON PINTXOS BAR, Glyfada PUERTA DE ESPANA Pangrati SALERO Exarhia
TAVERNAS FILIPOU Kolonaki LOUIZIDIS Vouliagmeni MAMACAS Gazi Meat Me Kifissia O Tzitzikas Ki O Mermigas Kifissia, Syntagma SKOUFIAS Exarhia VLASSIS Hilton
THAI ROYAL THAI Kifissia
VEGETARIAN Avocado Syntagma
WINE BARS FABRICA DE VINO, Exarhia HETEROCLITO, Syntagma L’Enoteca Halandri Whispers of wine Maroussi
insider athens | February 2013 57
Insider guide Gifts Greece is for Lovers
Aglio Olio & Peperonicino
Porinou 13 , Tel: 210.921.1801 Authentic Italian pasta in a cozy setting, accompanied by luscious salads and homemade dolci
SHOP Syllektiko Paleopolio Asklipiou 41, Tel: 210.364.1718 Antiques of all sorts and restoration services
Vinyl Microstore Didotou 34, Tel: 210.361.4544 New vinyls & cds; also reissues from the 60s & more
EAT Fabrica de Vino Em. Benaki 3, Tel : 210.321.4148 85 wine etiquetes and mini mezzes in an industrial environment
Fasoli Emanouil Benaki 45, Tel: 210.330.0010 A great meal in an uplifting environment
Beles 1 and Androutsou Tel: 210.924.7655 Raisin bread, almond shortbread, yummy cookies & tasty loaves
Prosopa
Yantes
Kallidromiou 87-89, Tel: 210.881.1233 Imported second-hand clothes; individuality guaranteed
Asimenia Bakery
Keramikou 116, Tel: 210.346.5830 Mediterranean cuisine in a modern industrial atmosphere
Lontou 4, Tel: 210.382.8206 Exceptional entrees you are unlikely to find elsewhere
Yesterday's Bread
Mani Mani
Kitrino Podilato
Valtetsiou 51, Tel: 210.381.3358 Spanish and mediterranean cuisine in the heart of Exarhia
Kavouras
Thalatta
DRINK
DRINK
Circus Bar
Bars, Clubs & Lounges
Navarinou 11, Tel: 210.361.5255 Attracts a hip and happening crowd in a cozy space
Ginger Ale Themistokleous 74, Tel: 210.330.1246 Enjoy a cocktail or a coffee in a retro pop atmosphere
Vox Arahovas 56 & Themistokleous Tel: 210.383.5811, One of the oldest summer cinemas in Athens is a picturesque place for a retro-tinged drink
EAT Butcher’s Shop Persefonis 19, Tel: 210.341.3440 Traditional psistaria serving grilled meat dishes
Kohenoor Triptolemou 41, Tel:210.345.5762 Indian authentic specialties in a neat setting
Mamacas Persefonis 41, Tel: 210.346.4984 Modern taverna located in an old barrel warehouse offering traditional Greek fare
Themistokleous 64, Tel: 210.381.0202 Dine while enjoying live Rebetika music
Edodi Veikou 80 , Tel: 210.921.3013 Fresh ingredients presented at your table, then cooked to perfection
Mani Mani Falirou 10. Tel: 210.921.8180 Peloponnesian specialities with Mediterranean touches
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Meg. Vasiliou 52 & Konstantinoupoleos 4 Tel: 210.341.3433, Delicious dishes in a warm atmosphere right beside the train tracks. A popular gay haunt.
Valtetsiou 44, Tel: 210.330.1369 Modern Greek cuisine prepared with organic ingredients.
Gazi
EAT
Salero
Skoufias
Exarhia
Karyatidon 13A Tel: 210.924.5064 www.greeceisforlovers.com Tongue-in-cheek souvenirs for the discerning traveller
Central Athens
Matilde Pizza Bar Konstantinoupoleos 44, Tel: 210 3411878 Authentic Italian cuisine in a cozy setting
Vitonos 5, Tel: 210.346.4204 Fresh seafood creations
Almaz Triptolemou 12, Tel: 210.347.4763 Lounge in a modern atmosphere while listening to music from around the world
Barouge Andronikou 4, Tel: 210.342.4994 A staple of Athenian nightlife
Dirty Ginger Triptolemou 46, Tel: 210.342.3809 Excellent cocktails, meat dishes and “hot” finger food
Gazarte Boutadon 32-34, Tel: 210.346.0347 Lounge bar with excellent views of the Acropolis, ethnic music and live events
Gasoline Gargittion 23Α, Tel: 210.346.9396 All day bar with freestyle music and interesting guest-nights
Tapas Bar Triptolemou 44, Tel: 210.347.1844 Cocktails and tapas at the bar, just like in Spain
Villa Mercedes Andronikou & Tzaferi 11 Tel: 210.342.2380 Mega club ideal for all-night dancing
Hilton
SHOP
Ilias Lalaounis museum
Acropolis
Shop, Eat, Drink & Chill!
EAT Alatsi Vrassida 13, Tel: 210.721.0501 Exquisite Cretan specialties
Byzantine Restaurant
Athens Hilton Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.728.1400 Traditional Greek recipes with a Mediterranean twist
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr 1 Michelin star
Central Athens
Varoulko
Marie Chantal Boutique
DKNY
Athens Hilton Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.724.4400 Simply prepared local flavours. Guaranteed value for money
Pireos 80, Tel: 210.522.8400 Seafood prepared by Michelin star-winning chef Lefteris Lazarou
Spefsippou 11, Tel: 210.722.2029 Old-fashioned chic for little princes and princesses
Solonos 8, Tel: 210.360.3775 Classic American sportswear
Safka
Mouyer
Megalou Alexandrou 80-82, Tel: 210 524 3340 Scandinavian cuisine
Kanari 8, Tel: 210.361.7714 Good-quality orthopaedic shoes as well as funkier styles
Iraklitou 13, Tel: 210.363.1731 Ethereal frocks, pretty tea-dresses and accessories from around the world
Milos Garden
Vezene Vrasida 11, Tel: 210723002 Modern bistrot serving seafood & cured beef
Vlassis Neandrou 15, Tel: 210.646.3060 & 210.725.6335, Family-run taverna serving traditional Greek food
DRINK
Kolonaki
Milos
SHOP Antiques Kilim Hali Valaoritou 9 Tel: 210.363.7056 www.kilimhali.gr Antique carpets from around the world
Beauty &
Fashion Atelier Loukia Kanari 24, Tel: 210.362.7334 Fairytale dresses in lace and embroidery from Greece's doyenne designer
Bespoke Athens Anagnostopoulou 15-17 Tel: 210.364.5518, Made-to-measure suits and shirts from top international tailors
Cosmetics
Athens Hilton, Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.728.1402 Rooftop cocktails in a chic atmosphere
Ermenegildo Zegna Skoufa 18, Tel: 210.361.3700 Home of fine fabrics and handsome tailor-finished suits
Free Shop Voukourestiou 50 Tel: 210.364.1308 A haven of hip, carrying labels from Balenciaga to Martin Margiela to Marlene Birger
Giorgio Armani Koumbari 8, Tel: 210.361.3603 Suit- and dress-maker to the stars
Hugo Boss
Apivita
Amerikis 19, Tel: 210.360.0516 Smart separates for a work wardrobe
Solonos 26 Tel: 210.364.0560 Shop natural Greek cosmetics, get a prescription cream made up and have a quick massage
Kalogirou Patriarchou Ioakim 4, Tel: 210.335.6401 Fetish footwear from Prada, Tod's & Casadei
Children
Galaxy Bar
Elina Lebessi
Bambineria Kanari 5, Tel: 210.339.2597 Designer togs for tots
Frattina
CHILL Hiltonia Health & Wellness Club Hilton, Vas. Sofias 46, Tel: 210.728.1801 Indoor and outdoor pools
Olive Tree Spa
Kerameikos
Chatzigiani Mexi 4, Tel: 210.724.4425
EAT
1 Mic Funky Gourmethelin star Paramythias 13 and Salaminos, Tel: 210 524 2727 Haute cuisine in art deco interior
Athiri Plataion 15, Tel: 210.346.2983 Greek & Mediterranean cuisine in beautiful surroundings
Nixon Agisilaou 61B, Tel: 210.346.2077 Burgers, a private cinema & an artsy crowd. Open for brunch on Sundays at noon
Kanari 21, Tel: 210.360.4481 Casual clothing and gifts for kids
Jack in the Box Haritos 13, Tel: 210.725.8735 Beautiful wooden toys and more Bespoke Athens
Carouzos Kanari 12, Tel: 210.362.7123 Designer items from Prada, Brioni, Donna Karan, Fendi and other top-flight brands
Coach Tsakalof 28, Tel: 210.362.5669 Leather totes and luggage in easy American style
Deux Hommes Kanari 18, Tel: 210.361.4155 Greece's design ambassadors create structural separates and heavenly bridal gowns. www.deuxhommes.gr
Dior Boutique Voukourestiou 18-20, Tel: 210 361.3014 High-end designer fashion
insider athens | February 2013 59
Insider guide Shop, Eat, Drink & Chill! Lacoste
Rere Papa
Solonos 5, Tel: 210.361.8030 French take on American sportswear
Skoufa 62, Tel: 210.364.4300 Distinctive creations by two young Greek women and other international imports
Lanvin Iraklitou 9 Tel: 210.360.8315 Alber Elbaz's gloriously chic take on the classic French couture house
Linea Piu Sekeri 6, Tel: 210 360.6125 Collections from exclusive fashion houses including Chanel, Galliano, Lagerfeld and Sonia Rykiel
Luisa Skoufa 15, Tel: 210.363.5600 Designer emporium stocked with Chloe, Roberto Cavalli, Ralph Lauren, Missoni & more
Marc by Marc Jacobs Xanthou 3, Tel: 210.363.6030 Budget knick-knacks and must-have casuals from America's fashion hero
Observatory Attitudes Solonos 9, Tel: 210.364.6910 The ultimate fashion store www.attitudes.gr
Paul & Shark Anagnostopoulou 6, Tel: 210.339.2334 Casual yachting styles
Thalassa Collection Patriarchou Ioakim 30-32 Tel: 210.725.8525 Original silk designs for scarves, ties, shawls & blouses
Vlassis Holevas Anagnostopoulou 19 Tel: 210.361.6167 Elegant fashion with a contemporary twist
Flowers Fleria Patriarchou Ioakim 35 Tel: 210.722.9697
Food & Wine Cava Anthidis Ypsilantou 13-15, Tel: 210.725.1050 Comprehensive wine and liquor wholesalers
Kylix Karneadou 20, Tel: 210.724.5143 Quality picks from the world’s best vineyards; including Greek labels
Wine Garage Xenokratous 25, Tel: 210.721.3175 Browser-friendly cava with helpful service
Gadgets Octopus Solonos 15, Tel: 210.363 6677 Quirky designs with a sense of humour
Gifts Eclipse
Benaki Museum Gift Shop
Preview Patriarchou Ioakim 19 Tel: 210.722.4731 High fashion designer shoes
60 insider athens | February 2013
Vas. Sofias & Koumbari Tel: 210.367.1045 Artefacts and jewellery inspired by the museum’s exhibits
Liana Vourakis Pindarou 42, Tel. 2103617705
Home Christofle Koumbari 5, Tel: 210.362.0483 Classis silver and crystal ideal for wedding gifts
La Fenetre
Central Athens EAT Bakeries & Patisseries Cake Irodotou 15, Tel: 210.721.2253 For real American homemade cheesecake, brownies and more
Irodotou 21, Tel: 210.723.5029 Elegant objects and sophisticated gifts for the house, mostly from France
Fresh
Parousiasi
Restaurants
Patriarchou Ioakim 33, Tel: 210.723.7656, A range of international brands in crystal, china and other eye-catching homeware accessories
Jewellery Apriati
Kriezotou 12, Tel: 210.364.2948/ Loukianou 21, Tel: 210.729.3453 Desserts and cakes
Al Milanese Xenokratous 49, Tel: 210.729.4111 Authentic Italian cuisine for the discerning
Altamira (Multi-ethnic) Tsakalof 36A, Tel: 210 361 4695 Flavours of multiethnic cuisine
Pindarou 29, Tel: 210.360.7878 Smartly designed necklaces, bracelets and rings
Altro
Elena Votsi
Boschetto
Xanthou 7, Tel: 210.360.0936 Conversation-starting pieces in gold and stone
Fanourakis Patriarchou Ioakim 23 Tel: 210.721.1762, Unique collection of animal and insect pins & earrings
Folli Follie Tsakalof 6 & Solonos 25 Tel: 210.323.0739 Greece's high-street export stocks affordable watches and everyday bijoux
Liana Vourakis Anagnostopoulou 26-8 Tel: 210.362.2564 For unique baptism and wedding gifts, start here
Oxette Skoufa 37, Tel: 210.339.0547 Trendy, affordable jewellery
Ozzi Skoufa 30, Tel: 210.364.2139 Greek silver fashion jewellery
Van Cleef & Arpels Voucourestiou 1, Tel: 210.331.0319 The jeweller of the international jetset
Haritos 39, Tel: 210.724.2717 Tiny funky restaurant that specializes in Italian food Evangelismos Park, Tel: 210.721.0893 Italian food in a lush central setting
Cafe Boheme Omirou 36, Tel: 210.360.8018 Welcoming nook with Greek cooking and more-ish cocktails
Cinco Skoufa 52, Tel: 210.364.360 Stylish, lively tapas bar with great cocktails
Dakos Tsakalof 6, Tel: 210.894.7040 New-age Cretan specialties
Eclipse (Bar restaurant) Alopekis 21, Tel: 210 364 1545 Fabulous cocktails and creative Mediterranean cuisine by Yiannis Baxevannis
Filipou Xenokratous 19, Tel: 210.721.6390 Home-cooked Greek taverna dishes
Frame St George Lycabettus Hotel Dinokratous, Tel: 210.721.4368 Exotic cuisine in the heart of Athens
Freud Oriental Xenokratous 21, Tel: 210.729.9595 Sushi in a cool setting
Central Athens
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr Ouzadiko
TGI Friday’s
Skoufaki
Karneadou 25-26, Tel: 210.729.5484 Traditional Greek appetizers & ouzo
Kolokotroni 35, Kefalari sq. Tel: 210.623.3945 American restaurant with real steak and barbecue sauce for casual dining!
Skoufa 47-49, Tel: 210.364.5888 All time classic café bar
Papadakis Fokilidou 15 & Voukourestiou 47A Tel: 210.360.8621 Paros' legendary gourmet restaurant serving seafood in the heart of Athens
For Creative Cuisine
Ten Ploutarhou 10, Tel: 210.321.7836 One of the most popular hot spots in town
Cafés Da Capo Tsakalof 1, Tel: 210.243.3902 Long-established people-watching hangout
www.lachocolatiere.gr
Peros
Inbi Iraklitou 21, Tel: 210.339.2090 Sushi fusion
Kolonaki Square, Tel: 210.364.5068 Enjoy a cup of java if you can find a spot
Jackson Hall
Tea
Milioni 4, Tel: 210.361.6098 Gourmet burgers with all the fixings
To Tsai
Ploutarhou 32, Tel: 210.721.8800 Souvlakia on the sidewalk have never been so trendy
Kiku Dimokritou 12, Tel: 210.364.7033 Fresh, beautifully presented sushi
P-BOX Haritos 24, Periscope hotel Tel: 210 7298556, Simple ingredients, special flavours in a setting designed by Theodore Zoumboulakis
Prytaneion Milioni 7, Tel: 210.364.3353 Generous portions of Mediterranean fare
Ratka Haritos 32, Tel: 210.729.0746 Popular haunt of the rich and almost famous, with cosmopolitan cuisine
Sale e Pepe Aristipou 34, Tel: 210.723.4102 Authentic Italian trattoria
Scala Vinoteca Xenokratous 51, Tel: 210.722.9106 Fine French cuisine
Sina 50, Tel: 210.361.0041 Mediterranean restaurant ideal for wining & dining
Le Grand Balcon
Showroom
L'Abreuvoir
St George Lycabettus Hotel, Kleomenous 2, Tel: 210.729.0711 Gourmet Greek cuisine
Nice n Easy Omirou 60 & Skoufa, Tel.: 210.361.7201 Gourmet cafe-restaurant with organic products and jazz music
Orizontes Lycavyttou Lycabettus Hill, Tel: 210.722.7065 Gourmet dining with a spectacular view
Milioni 12, Tel: 210.364.6460 Missoni-designed interiors, serving unique Mediterranean flavours
Square Sushi Deinokratous 65, Tel: 210.725.5236 High-quality sushi & other Japanese favourites
Ta Kioupia Dinokratous & An Polemou 22 Tel: 210.740.0150 Superb set menu of Greek and Continental classics with refined touches
DRINK Bars, Clubs & Lounges Central
Kolonaki Square, Tel: 210.724.5938 The place to see & be seen while sipping on coffee or cocktails
City Charitos 43, Tel.: 210.722.8910 Modern aesthetics, mutli-culti crowd and soulful music
Mai Tai Ploutarhou 18, Tel: 210.725.8306 Early evening cocktails in a laid-back atmosphere
Rosebud Omirou 60 & Skoufa 40, Tel.: 210.339.2370 All day hang-out with music ranging from jazz to famous soundtracks
Mavili Sq
Soutsou & Likavitou, Tel: 210.338.8941 Tea & tea paraphernalia from around the world
Kalamaki Kolonaki
DRINK Balthazar Tsoha 27, Tel: 210.644.1215 Lovely garden and chic interior attracts a cool crowd
Baraonda Tsoha 43, Tel: 210.644.4308 Gourmet cuisine and funky beats
Briki Dorileou 6, Mavili sq. Tel: 210.654.2380 Trendy hole-in-the-wall hangout
Flower Dorileou 2, Mavili sq. Tel: 210.643.2111, Fun, funky and affordable watering hole
20% Off! Cut this coupon & avail
of 20% off on all exclusive brands at Sephora’s stores in Greece.
insider athens | February 2013 61
Insider guide Shop, Eat, Drink & Chill!
Central Athens Taf
Avissynias 3, Tel: 210.321.7202 Traditional Greek recipes with a European twist overlooking the Acropolis & Observatory
Normanou 5, Tel: 210.323.8757 Outdoor bar in a neoclassical building with arty atmosphere and great exhibitions
Café Avyssinias Kynetou 7, Tel: 210.321.7407 Spcializing in regional dishes & live music on weekends
Doris Praxitelous 30, Tel: 210.323.2671 Hearty stews & pasta dishes at reasonable prices
Meïdanis Sokratous 3 & Evripidou Tel: 210.324.9073, A menu that is sure to please with speciality oven dishes
Fuga
Melilotos
EAT
Tamarind
Vas.Sofias & Kokkali 1, Tel: 210 724 2979 Italian inspired menu by chef Andrea Berton at the Athens Concert Hall
Ginger Dorileou 10-12, Tel: 210.645.1169 Original dishes and innovative combinations in an elegant atmosphere
St’Astra Alexadras 10, Tel: 210.889.4500 For an unforgettable roof-top dining experience
To Parko Eleftherias
Metaxurgeio
Next to Megaron Mousikis, Tel: 210.722.3784 Classic recipes and nice atmopshere in a lush green park
Monastiraki
Fuga
Thai Kitchen, Address: Kerameikou 51, Metaxourgeio. Tel: 210 5225 945
SHOP
Archeon Gefsis Kodratou 22, Tel: 210.523.9661 Ancient Greek cuisine makes a unique comeback after 25 centuries
Polly Maggoo Leonidou 80 & Salaminos, Tel: 210 524 1120 Gourmet cuisine in a post-modern and industrial setting. New hot spot for the trendy
62 insider athens | February 2013
Savvas
Antiques
Mitropoleos 86, Tel: 210.321.9919 Gyros & Middle Eastern dishes like pastourmali
Darousos
Sigalas-Bairaktaris
Normanou 7 Tel: 210.331.1638 Small antique shop in the heart of the flea market
Paleovivliopolio Hiotakis Normanou 7 Tel: 210.324.7835 Historic bookshop houses rare & old books
Food & Wine Arapian
EAT
Kalamiotou 19, Tel.: 210.322.2458 Greek-Mediterranean cuisine with fresh local ingredients
Monastiraki Sq. 2, Tel: 210.321.3036 Century-old restaurant serving a variety of fresh dishes
Souvlaki Bar Adrianou 7 & Thisiou 15, Tel: 210 5150550
Thanassis
Bairaktaris Monastiraki Square 2 Tel: 210.321.3036 Old-world taverna serving traditional Greek fare
Athinaikon
Themistokleous 2, Tel: 210.383.8485 A traditional Greek ouzeri
SHOP BEAUTY & COSMETICS Korres Ivikou 8 & Eratosthenous Tel: 210.722.2774 Natural Greek products made using Mediterranean herbs
DRINK LIVE BARS Half Note Jazz Club Trivonianou 17, Tel: 210.921.3310 A jazz club with great history, hosting important names from the international music scene.
Evforionos 13 & Eratosthenous Tel: 210.756.6008, Greek cuisine with a menu that changes daily
Adrianou 23, Tel: 210.321.3229 Mediterranean fare right next to the ancient agora
Miaouli 2-4., Tel: 210.324.4244 An urban terrace with the most stunning view of the Acropolis
EAT
Panepistimiou 46, Tel: 210.330.3000 Greek classics in oldworld decor
To Kouti
Bahar
Evripidou 45, Tel: 210.321.7187 Sausages, pastrami & cured meats
Ideal Restaurant
EAT
DRINK
Miran
EAT
Mitropoleos 69, Tel: 210.324.4705 A souvlaki lover’s paradise
Evripidou 41, Tel: 210.321.7238 Old-style butcher shop offers interesting sausages, pasturma & smoked meats Evripidou 31, Tel: 210.321.7225 Well-known herb haven
Pangrati Omonia
Brachera
360 Cocktail Bar
new
Ifestou 2, Tel: 21.321.0006
A for Athens
Loukoumi Bar Plateia Avissinias 3, An all day hang-out with good music, cool atmosphere and great views
Six Dogs Avramiotou 6-8, Tel: 210.321.0510 A day&night cultural entertainment center and bar with a vivid 600m2 back-garden.
Cucina Povera
Fatsio Efroniou 5, Tel: 210.721.7421 Greek food & political gossip
Karavitis Arktinou & Pausaniou Tel: 210.721.5155 Classic Greek cuisine in a dining room lined with wine casks
Magemenos Avlos Amynta 4, Tel: 210.722.3195 Mediterranean fare, welcoming decor & generous servings
Spondi
2 Michelin star s
Pyrronos 5, Tel: 210.756.4021 A mix of European & more exotic flavours. Voted one of the best in Athens
Trata o Stelios Anagenniseos Sq. 7-9, Tel: 210.729.1533 The best grilled fish in town
Central Athens
Antique stores Maritinos Pandrosou 50 Tel: 210.321.2414 Specializes in 19th Century folk art, embroidery & furniture
Fashion Christoforos Kotentos Sachtouri 3, Tel: 210.325.5434 Glamorous & unique designs
Home Notoshome
Food & wine Mesogaia Nikis 52, Tel: 210.322.9146 Packaged & fresh speciality foods
Kratinou 5, Tel: 210.374.3000 Home décor superstore
EAT
Amorgos Kodrou 3, Tel: 210.324.3836 Hand-carved & painted furniture
EAT 2 Mazi Nikis 48, Tel: 210.322.2839 Creative gourmet dishes that change monthly
Daphne’s Restaurant Lysikratous 4, Tel: 210.322.7971 Refined classic Greek dishes in a resplendent atmosphere
Electra Nikodimou 18-20, Tel: 210.337.0000 Roof-top dining with Greek cuisine
new
Venizelou Paleologou 4, Tel: 210.322.6711 Unpretentious gourmet cuisine by Olivier Campanha
Platanos Diogenous 4, Tel: 210.322.0666 One of the few remaining tavernas preserving 1940s Athens
Ydria Adrianou 68 & Eolou Tel: 210.325.1619 Taditional Greek cuisine
Accessories Bag Stories Panepistimiou 41, Tel: 210.323.7405 Luggage & travel bags by Tumi, Porsche Design, Rimowa & Delsey
Antiques Antiqua Vassilis Amalias 2-4, Tel: 210.323.2220 One of the oldest antique stores in Athens
Cellier Kriezotou 1, Tel: 210.361.0040 Speciality wine shop
Lepeniotou & Ivis 1 Tel: 210.323.3670 Authentic Italian cuisine in a friendly environment
MAC
Gadgets
Ermou 44, Tel: 210.325.8260 International cosmetic brand for women who like to play with colour
Public
Diporto
Books
Theatrou & Sokratous Tel: 210.321.1463 Old-world tavern offers bargain basics like salads, sardines & fava
Eleftheroudakis
Gostijo
Kauffman
Aisopou 10 street, Tel: 210 32 33 825 Kosher menu and mediterranean “repertoire”
Kouzina Cine-Psirri Sari 44, Tel: 210.321.5534 Mediterranean fare & eclectic music
Nara Nara Karaiskaki 26, Tel: 210.331.2091 Lebanese food & dancing
Ochre & Brown Leokoriou 7, Tel: 210.331.2950 Mediterranean/French cuisine
DRINK Bars, Clubs & Lounges Cantina Social
Try the Polish beers
Leokoriou 8, Tel: 210.325.1668 Tiny standing bar, ideal for socializing.
Scholarheio Tripodon 14, Tel: 210.324.1605 A traditional tray taverna with old fashioned decor & prices
SHOP
Beauty & Cosmetics
Cantuccio
Gifts
Mono Resturant
SHOP
Syntagma
SHOP
Psyrri
Plaka
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr
Dude Kalamiotou 14, Tel: 210.322.7130 Uptempo bar inspired by “Big Lebowski”
Soul Evripidou 65, Tel: 210.331.0907 Show off your groovy disco moves
Panepistimiou 17, Tel: 210.325.8440 The largest foreign language bookstore in Greece
Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.324.6210, Five floors of gaming, gadgets & books
Gifts Argalios Filellinon 7, Tel: 210.322.2659 Hand-woven fabrics & souvenirs since 1940
Stadiou 28, Tel: 210.322.2160 Mostly French books and small selection of English fiction
Graf Von Faber-Castell Boutique
Department Stores
Kori
Attica Panepistimiou 9, Tel: 211.180.2600 Home to an array of luxury goods
Fokas Stadiou 41, Tel: 210.325.7770 Clothes, shoes and accessories for men, women & children
Panepistimiou 41, Tel: 210.321.8564 Traditional hand-held writing utensils Mitropoleos 13, Tel: 210.323.3534 Traditional & contemporary jewellery
Psarros 1917 Stadiou 3, Tel: 210.322.0908 Executive gifts and smoking accessories
Home
Stock House & Travel
Baccarat
Ermou 45, Tel: 210.324.7732 Outlet store featuring brands from Parousiasi, Cook Shop & Bag Stories
Voukourestiou 21, Tel: 210.362.2863 Fine crystal from the venerable French luxury house
Fashion - Men’s Pagoni Akadimias 61, Tel: 210.363.9277 Selling ties and cufflinks since 1933
Jewellery Apriati
Flowers
Pentelis 9 & Mitropoleos, Tel: 210.322.9020 Smartly designed necklaces, bracelets and rings
Dromoloulouda
Bulgari
Voulis 15, Tel: 210.323.2321 Specializing in arrangements with wild flowers, many indigenous to Greece
Food & Wine Aristokratikon Karageorgi Servas 9, Tel: 210.322.0546 Handmade chocolates
Voukourestiou 8, Tel: 210.324.7118 Opulent designs in jewellery, watches & accessories
Cartier Voukourestiou 7, Tel: 210.331.3600 Two floors of designs & timepieces by the prestigious Cartier maison
insider athens | February 2013 63
Insider guide Gofas
Vassilis Zoulias Old Athens
Paul
Stadiou 3, Tel: 210.331.7540 High-end timepieces
Akadimias 30, Tel: 210.361.4762 Handmade shoes and handbags inspired by films of the 50s & 60s
Panepistiomiou 10, Tel: 210.722.4824 A true French patisserie
Ilias Lalaounis Panepistimiou 6, Tel: 210.361.1371 Fabulous gold designs by famous Greek jeweller
Kessaris Panepistimiou 7, Tel: 210.323.2919 Wide range of luxury brand timepieces
Marathianakis Voukourestiou 21, Tel: 210.362.7118 Old-world shop known for its original & elegant designs
Zolotas
Chopard Stadiou 2 & Vas. Georgiou 210.325.0555 Legendary time pieces and jewellery.
Panepistimiou 10, Tel: 210.360.1272 Designs inspired by the antique & classical periods as well as contemporary collections by designers like Paloma Picasso
EAT Avocado
Cellier Le Bistrot
Boutique
Panepistimiou 10, Tel: 210.363.8525 Excellent dishes accompany the extensive list of international wines
Filellinon 15, Tel: 210.323.1315 Popular Athenian night spot
Dosirak Voulis 31-33, Tel: 210.323.3330 Japanese & Korean cuisine in the heart of Athens
Far East Stadiou 7, Tel: 210.323.4996 A mix of Asian cuisines in elegant surroundings
Folli Follie
Spiliopoulos
Ermou 18, Tel: 210.323.0739 Trendy & affordable jewellery & accessories
Ermou 63, Tel: 210.322.7590 Pick up a pair of Manolo’s at half price!
Apollonos 2, Tel: 210.322.9170 A Japanese favourite of expats & Athenians alike
GB Corner Hotel Grand Bretagne Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.333.0750 Luxurious surroundings, Mediterranean cuisine
Indian Kitchen
Eat Club
New: Funky Gourmet Restaurant, Michelin star restaurant, Paramithias 13 & Salaminos, Keramikos Classic: GB Corner, Greek Brasserie (www.gbcorner.gr) Undeniably the most famous “corner” of Athens,GB Corner is a favorite setting for the capital’s most stylish set. Alternative: Spondi Restaurant, French Cuisine 2 Michelin stars, Pironos 5, Pagrati
64 insider athens | February 2013
Mitropoleos 12-14, Tel: 210.324.7607 Savoury Greek cuisine, perfectly combining modern & traditional elements
DRINK
Furin Kazan
The concierge of the Grande Bretagne Hotel in Syntagma Square recommends:
Tzitzikas and Mermigas
Nikis 30, Tel: 210 3237878 Vegetarian restaurant
Shoes
New: B.E.D. Balux Classic: Villa Mercedes Alternative: Gazarte
Central Athens
Apollonos 6, Tel: 210 3237720
Ioannis Royal Olympic Hotel Ath. Diakou 28-34, Tel: 210.928.8400 Greek & Mediterranean cuisine with breathtaking views from the rooftop
Meatropoleos 3 Mitropoleos 3, Tel: 210 3241805 Modern greek grill restaurant
Noodle Bar Apollonos 11, Tel: 210.331.8585 A congenial place to drop in for a quick noodle fix
Parliament Vas. Georgiou A & Stadiou Tel: 210.335.2400 International cuisine with Mediterranean accents
Bars, Clubs & Lounges
Explorer’s Lounge NJV Athens Plaza, Syntagma Square, 210.335.2400, Magnificent cocktails and live jazz in an intimate atmosphere
new
Heteroclito
Fokionos 2, Tel: 210.323.9406 A true wine destination with focus on Greek vineyards
Kalua Amerikis 6, Tel: 210.360.8304 Dance the night away in a chic environment
Frequent wine
Oinoscent
Voulis 44A Syntagma. tastings Tel: 210.322.9374 Trendy winebar
T Palace King George Palace Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.322.2210 Great for mingling & people-watching
CHILL GB Spa Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.333.0799 Award-winning spa featuring treatments by E’SPA, Valmont & Algoane
Holmes Place Stadiou 4 & Voukourestiou Tel: 210.325.9400, Fully equipped health club with excellent array of classes
The Palace Spa Syntagma Square, Tel: 210.374.3590 Ideal for rejuvenation after a long flight or a hectic bout of shopping
Syngrou
Zolotas pendant in gold with diamonds
Shop, Eat, Drink & Chill!
EAT Avenue Metropolitan Hotel, Syngrou Ave 385, Tel: 210.947.100 French bistrot inspired by Michel Roux
Peacock Hotel Hera, Falirou 9, Tel: 210 923 6682 Traditional food with breathtaking Acropolis views
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr Michelin star chef
Onassis Cultural Center Syngrou Ave 107-109, Tel: 2177071118, 2103316767 Creative gourmet Greek cuisine by Nikos Karathanos with stunning views
Kollias
Syngrou Ave. 303, Tel: 210 940 8620 Excellent seafood in a pleasant Mediterranean atmosphere
AiNikolas Syngrou Ave. 156, Tel: 210 923 2918 Original seafood dishes, fresh ingredients and simple elegant interior
Kona Kai
Jimmy and The Fish
Kitchen Bar
Food & Wine
Ak. Mikrolimanou, Tel: 210.413.4084. Excellent seafood; try the astakomakaronada
Poseidonos 3, Tel: 210.981.2004 Comfort food overlooking the sea
All about Whisky
Kollias
Zaimi 6, Tel: 210.984.2344 French cuisine & excellent wine list
Plastira 3, Tel: 210.462.9620 Excellent seafood but difficult to find; reserve on weekends
Plous Podilatou Ak. Koumoundourou 42 Tel: 210.413.7910 Sumptuous seafood & mouth-watering deserts on the waterfront
Tony Bonano
Athens Ledra Marriott, Syngrou Ave. 115, Tel: 210 930 0000 Polynesian, Teppanyaki and Sushi cuisine in an original luxury setting
Papanastasiou 63, Tel: 210.411.1901 Italian cuisine with a view of the harbour
Café Zoe
Vassilenas
Athenaeum InterContinental, Syngrou Ave 89-93 Tel: 210 920 6655 Casual dining and terrific buffets for lunch and on Sundays
Etolikou 72 & Vitolion Tel: 210.461.2457 Friendly food and atmosphere
Zefyros
Athenaeum InterContinental, Syngrou Ave 89-93, Tel : 210 920 6981 Gourmet cuisine with splendid views
Ak. Koumoundourou 48 Tel: 210.417.5152 Fresh seafood on the quay
Thissio
Première
EAT Indian Masala (Indian) Ermou 129, Tel: 210 321 9412 Amazing Indian food at affordable price in a pleasant environment
Kirki Apostoplou Pavlou 31 Tel: 210.346.6960 Ideal for a lunch break
Kuzina Adrianou 9, Tel: 210.324.0133 Inspired traditional recipes in a cozy arty environment
Zorbas Ak. Koumoundourou 14 Tel: 210.411.1163 Unique flavours of the Mediterranean
Le Petit Sommelier
Big Apple South Posidonos 1, Tel: 210.948.5190 Casual cocktails in a modern atmosphere
Posidonos 80, Tel: 210.898.1435 Gourmet French delicatessen
EAT Amigos
Zinc “Flisvos” Marina, Tel: 210.985.3183 Cocktails whith music
Kyprou 65A, Tel: 210.898.3167 Mexican flavours in a friendly setting
Zythos
Bayern Bierhaus Microbrewery
Eleftherias 45, Tel: 210.985.0478 Reminiscent of an Irish pub with several beers to choose from
Chr. Nezer 19, Tel: 210.894.4439 Authentic German cuisine
SHOP
Beirut Saki Karayiorya 13,
Fashion
Tel: 210.894.3169
Enny di Monaco
Lebanese cuisine & entertainment
Laodikis 41, Tel: 210.894.0153 Carefully selected designs by various international designers
Bereket Mikras Asias & Lefkosias 36 Tel: 210.960.9337 Traditional dishes from Asia Minor
Obervatory Attitudes
Ag. Ioannou 13, Glyfada. Tel: 210 9680031-32 Traditional Greek cuisine in minimalist setting
DRINK
A. Panagouli 17, Tel: 210.894.2113 The ultimate fashion store www.attitudes.gr
Istioploikos
Jewellery
Ak. Microlimanou, Tel: 210.413.4084 One of the hip places to see and be seen with a rooftop bar overlooking the yachting marina
Vas. Georgiou B' 10 Tel: 210.968.1191, Specialty shop with a large selection of single malts, books, & anything to do with whisky
Provence
DRINK
Glyfada
Hytra
Southern & Northern Athens
ZerTeo Metaxa 24-26, Tel: 210.894.6682 Unique jewellery designs
Cook Lobby
Jamon Pintxos Bar
new
Laodikis 33-35, Tel: 2108946089 Basque “pinchos” in a cozy, cheerful atmosphere
To 25araki M. Botsari 8, Tel: 210.894.4112 Fresh seafood at reasonable prices
Katafigio Ak. Koumoundourou 4 Tel: 210.413.1612 Club, cafe & beer house
EAT Captain John's Ak. Koumoundourou 16A, Tel: 210.417.7589 Traditional seafood
Dourambeis Ak. Protopsalti 29, Tel: 210.412.2092 Classic fish taverna
Faliro
Piraeus
SOUTHERN ATHENS EAT Il Tinello Knossou 54, Tel: 210.982.8462 Real Italian home cooking
Iskandar
Amphitheas 6 & Poseidonos, Tel: 210.988.6474 Authentic Indian cuisine
insider athens | February 2013 65
Insider guide Shop, Eat, Drink & Chill! Far East
Nest Café Bar
Lazaraki 61, Tel: 210.894.0500 A mix of Asian cuisines in elegant surroundings
Lazaraki 45, Tel: 210.898.6035 An all-day hangout for locals & visitors
Kiliza
Lazaraki 45, Tel: 210.968.0545 Cafe with a unique style & hip design
La Casa Di Giorgino Lefkosias 42A, Tel: 210.963.85770 Authentic Italian pizza made in a traditional wood-burning oven
Meat Square (Grill) Lambrakis 63 & Ag. Nikolaou, Tel: 210 961 1160 Juicy steaks in pleasant family environment
Seiza
Voula
Konstantinopoleos 13 Tel: 210.894.4648 Delicious kebabs & decadent deserts
Molly Malone's Zannitsopoulou 8, Tel: 210.894.4247 Irish pub serving probably the best Irish Stew in Athens
Tartare Panagouli 52, Tel: 210.968.0320 Quality French cuisine
Vincenzo Giannitsopoulou 1, Tel: 210.894.1310 Value for money Italian specialities with a Southern Italian touch
DRINK
Southern & Northern Athens
EAT Dream Grill V. Pavlou 78, Tel: 210.895.5110 Traditional recipes & authentic taste
Dulcis in Fundo Prinkipos Petrou 33, Tel: 210.894.2136 Top-quality authentic Italian
Elias Koukoutsi
Baku, The Margi
Ithaki
Mythos of the Sea
Apollonos 28,
Ag. Nikolaou 10 & Iliou Tel: 210.891.1100 Gourmet Mediterranean cuisine that blends local produce with fresh seafood
Live music Tel: 210.896.3747 Vasileos Pavlou 99,Thur sday-Saturday Beautiful sea view, fresh seafood & Tel: 210.899.5480 A modern “rakadiko” serving Greek dishes. Live music Thursday - Saturday
Naiades Vas. Pavlou 74, Tel: 210.965.7706 Popular family grill joint
Il Segreto Bizaniou 3, Tel: 210.965.9526 Authentic Italian set on a beautiful terrace
great service
Louizidis Ermou 2, Tel: 210.896.0591 Traditional Greek taverna popular with the locals
Psaraki
Maistrali
Schara
Apollonos 28, Tel: 210.967.1184 Traditionally prepared seafood dishes presented exquisitely
Matsuhisa Athens
Bars, Clubs & Lounges
Astir Palace, Apollonos 40, Tel: 210.896.0510, Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa serves up sushi favourites with a Latin-American flair
Balux Posidonos 58, Tel: 210.898.3577 Waterfront lounging
Bourbon Daskaroli 67, Tel: 210.964.7600 American style bar with rock, blues, soul music and live events
Il Τramonto
Liberty Fivis 17, Tel : 210.894.3856 A 20’s themed bar with excellent cocktail list
Cafes Chocolat Zisimopoulou 9, Tel: 210.894.3442 Satisfies even the most discerning coffee connoisseur
Cosi Zisimopoulou 12, Tel: 210.894.5746 One of the first cafes to inspireGlyfada's coffee culture
66 insider athens | February 2013
Vouliagmeni
Capri Bay Grigoriou Lambraki 2 Tel: 210.894.9995, Excellent cocktails in a Moroccan style garden
EAT Baku
new
Margi Hotel, Litous 11, Tel: 210.967.0924 Delicious variations of Mediterranean food
Al Bacio
Posidonos 17, Tel: 210.896.0400 Trattoria serving traditional Italian dishes & pizza
Il Tramonto Astir Palace, Apollonos 40, Tel: 210.8901794 Creative Italian cuisine with mind-blowing views of the Saronic Gluf
Nobu
Matsuhisa
Posidonos 15, Tel: 210.896.2432 Seafood served in an informal setting Posidonos 15, Tel: 210.896.2432 Grills with frills in a friendly setting at reasonable prices
Waffle House Posidonos 17, Tel: 210.896.1227 Sure to satisfy your sweet tooth
To advertise, contact ads@insider-magazine.gr DRINK Posidonos 4, Tel: 210.967.1770 Cocktails overlooking Vouliagmeni Bay
Island 27th klm Athinon-Souniou Tel: 210.965.3563-4 Award-winning cuisine & an unmatched location with views of the Saronic Gulf
Sofa Bar The Westin Hotel Apollonos 40, Tel: 210.890.1709 Modern lounge bar serving up delectable cocktails
Kifissias 250-254 & Serres Tel: 210.671.7890 Refined cuisine and cocktails in stylish urban atmosphere
Astir Complex, Apollonos 40 Tel: 210.890.2000
Bakaliko Ola Ta Kala Kifissias 238-240, Mela Shopping Centre, Tel: 210.808.9908 Quality Greek delicacies
Almyra Filikis Eterias 39, Tel: 210.681.9109 Refined seafood and magical summer garden
Santa Fe Ag. Georgiou 30’B, Tel: 210.685.9690 Mexican food in traditional setting
Kitchen Bar
Divani Apollon Palace & Spa Ag. Nikolaou 10, Tel: 210.891.1100
NORTHERN ATHENS EAT
K. Varnali 6, Tel: 210.689.2015 Delightful gastronomic tour in a relaxing atmosphere
Meat Square Ethnikis Antistaseos 9-11, Tel: 210.683.1300, Juicy steaks in pleasant family environment
Saipan
Da Vinci Ag. Ioannou 23, Tel: 210.600.0102 Delightful dishes in fantastic ambience
Nanninela
Argyropoulou 8, Tel: 210.801.6533 Decadent handmade chocolates
Vasileos Georgiou B 24b, Halandri, Tel: 210.685.7323 Athens' best table by far
Leof. Pendelis 85, Tel: 210.682.5017 Asian cuisine and sushi bar in luxury environment
Arion Spa
Aristokratikon
Bo Botrini’s
Golden Phoenix
CHILL
K. Varnali 9, Tel: 210.685.0644 Exquisite dishes from China, Japan and Indonesia
1920 Ag. Paraskevi 110, Tel: 210.681.3029 Accent on meat in an elegant setting
Sorpresa Italiana Kiriazi 6-8, Tel: 210.801.7886, Authentic fresh Italian pasta, sauces, truffles & more
Stefanidis Finest Foods Dimitrios Square 13, Tel: 210.808.2191 Excellent European delicatessen
Bo Botrini’s
Varsos
Common Secret
Kassaveti 5, Tel: 210.801.2472 Milk products & patisserie
Kifissias 324, Tel: 210.623.3810 Coffee and light Mediterranean meals in a pleasant setting
EAT Acqua Azzurra Panagitsas 3, Tel: 210.623.3934 Specially-prepared Italian meals
Apla 135 Charilaou Trikoupi Tel: 210.620.3102 Chrysanthos Karamolegos creates refined Mediterranean dishes
Berdema Vas Amalias 20, Tel: 210.801.3853 Traditional dishes from Greece & Asia Minor
Dos Hermanos Kyriazi 24, Tel: 210.808.7906 Excellent Mexican food & super margaritas
Elaias Gi Dexamenis & Olimpionikon 4, Tel: 210.62.00.005 The authenticity of Greek cuisine with stunning views of the city
Gefsis Me Onomasia Proelefsis Kifissias 317, Tel: 210.800.1402 Divine food from all over the world
Golden Phoenix
Peloponnissou 13 Tel: 210.600.5622 Authentic Italian cuisine in traditional decor
Psaroma
Olio by Portofino
Psomi & Alati
Ag. Ioannou 63, Tel: 210.639.1666, Mediterranean flavours in a chic interior
Rakokazano
Ichthyes
Irakliou 1, Tel: 210.689.5501 Quality Greek mezzes in a cosy simple environment
Jaipur Palace
EAT 30 something
new
Iroon Sq 8, Tel.: 210.689.9227 Pizza and cocktail bar in a San Franscisco atmosphere
Anahita Chr. Smirnis 3, Tel: 210.689.1222 The only place in Athens to try authentic Persian dishes
Sokratous 23, Tel: 210 683 9348 Imaginative parade of seafood and fresh fish Eleftherioton Sq 8, Tel.: 210.684.8178 Gastronomic paradise serving Greek dishes with a modern twist
Kifissia
Halandri Ag.Paraskevi
Food & Wine
Apsendi
En Plo
Southern & Northern Athens
Cash Diligianni 54, Tel: 212.100.4772 Cosmopolitan hang-out with upscale Mediterranean cuisine
Harilaou Trikoupi & Gortinias Tel: 210.801.3588, Chinese classic popular for the brunch buffet
Gourounakia Kifissias Kifissias 289, Tel: 210.801.1093 Delicious salads, appetizers, souvlakia & grilled platters Evagelistrias 36, Tel: 210.620.1572 Seafood taverna
Fashion
Kifissias 222, Tel: 210.808.8318 Indian cuisine and fine wines
21 Kifissia
Kastelorizo
SHOP
Kifissias 265, Tel: 210.801.3594 Extreme sport paraphernelia
Platanon 2, Tel: 210.807.5408 Part of a chain of upscale seafood restaurants that is sure to please
Vassilis Zoulias Argyropoulou 1-3, Tel: 210.801.7023 Unique designs reminiscent of times past
Kool Life Bo Botrini’s
Life Gallery, Thiseos 103, Tel: 211.106.7400 Lefteris Lazarou's cuisine in a cool restautant cum deli
insider athens | February 2013 67
Insider guide Shop, Eat, Drink & Chill!
Northern Athens
Mangiamo by Meat Square
Salumaio di Atene
Divine
Aneton
Ave. 5, Drossia. Tel: 210.800.4700 Open from Mondays to Friday from 3 pm to midnight and on weekends from 1pm to midnight
Panagitsas 3, Tel: 210.623.3934 Authentic Italian food & fabulous desserts
Kifissias 239, Tel: 201.801.0810 Chic lounge serving classic concoctions
Stratigou Lekka 19, Tel: 210.806.6700 Traditional cuisine in a comfy-chic setting reminiscent of the 50s & 60s
Menta Café
El Taco Bueno
HarilaouTrikoupi 92 Tel: 210.623.2358 Simple yet discerning cuisine in a funky Greek taverna
Nargile Harilaou Trikoupi 50 Tel: 210.808.3333 Lebanese cuisine in a cosmopolitan ambience
Nui Gortinias 11, Tel: 210.801.3553 Gourmet mutli-Asian restaurant
O Tzitzikas Ki O Mermigas Drosini 12-14, Tel: 210.623.0080 A modern taverna serving traditional dishes at reasonable prices
Piazza Mela Kifissias 238, Mela Shopping Centre Tel: 210.623.6596, Classic & traditional Italian dishes
Prytaneion Kolokotroni 37, Tel: 210.808.9160 Generous portions of Mediterranean fare
Royal Thai Zirini 12, Tel: 210.623.2322 Thai cuisine in an opulent setting
Mauzac
68 insider athens | February 2013
Semiramis Hotel, Harilaou Trikoupi 48, Tel: 210.628.4500 Mediterranean cuisine in a hip atmosphere
Shogun Philadelpheos 2, Tel: 210.623.3622 Promises authentic Japanese cuisine for the truly discerning
Telemachos Barbeque Club Fragkopoulou 22, Tel: 210.807.6680 Rare meats char-grilled to perfection
Tike Harilaou Trikoupi 27, Tel: 210.808.4418 Watch chefs prepare Turkish kebabs and other treats before your eyes
Vardis Deligianni 66, Pentelikon Hotel Tel: 210.623.0650-6, Cornerstone of French cuisine in Greece
DRINK Boudoir Deligianni 50 & Georganta Tel: 210.801.8384, Massive club for dancing & sipping on signature cocktails
Chateau Ag. Dimitriou 9, Tel : 210.801.5830 The cool sets preferred bar with baroque décor and refined cuisine
Ag. Theodorou 10, Tel: 210.808.0193 Traditional home turned stylish cafe
Vinifera Kifissias 317, Tel: 210.807.7709 Selection of wines from all over the world
Maroussi
Meat Me
Semiramis Restaurant
SHOP Golden Hall Kifissias 37A, Tel: 210.680.3450 131 high-end (and high-street) stores for anyone with a passion for fashion
The Mall Athens
Andrea Papandreou 35 Tel: 210.630.0000 Shops, cinemas and food
EAT
Ethnikis Antistaseos & Psaron 1 Tel: 210.684.0460 Mexican flavours in a traditional setting
Mauzac Alamanas 1, Tel: 210.619.9902 Clean lines and a beautiful garden make this café, bar, restaurant a must
Oinopathia Aghias Paraskevis 79 & Diogenous Tel: 210.685.5375, Great selection of wines with Greek and international cuisine
Pausa Ag. Konstantinou 46 & Ifestou 3 Tel: 210.617.9290 Italian cuisine accompanied by a selection of Greek & Italian wines
Wagamama Kifissias 37A, Tel: 210.683.6844 Fresh, nutritious Asian fusion food in a sleek yet simple setting
Altamira
Whispers of wine
Perikleous 28, Tel: 210 612 8841 Multiethnic cuisine in funky environment
Ag. Konstantinou 48, Tel: 210.617.9051 Gourmet food with rich wine list and vintage decor
see & do Art galleries
A. Antonopoulou Art Aristofanous 20, Psirri Tel: 210.321.4994 Artzone 42 42 Vas. Konstantinou, Agalma Troyman, 11635 Athens, Tel: 210 725 9549 Astrolavos Dexameni Xanthippou 11, Kolonaki Tel: 210.729.4342 Astrolavos ArtLife Irodotou 11, Kolonaki Tel: 210.722.1200 Athens Art Gallery Glykonos 4, Dexameni Sq., 106 75 Athens, Tel: 210 721 3938 Badminton Theatre Olympiaka Akinita, Goudi 157 73, Athens, Tel: 211 101 0020 Bernier/Eliades Gallery Eptachalkou 11, Thisseio, Tel: 210.341.3935 Beyond Art Gallery Haritos 10, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.721.9744 B&M Theoharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music Vas. Sofias 9 & Merlin 1, Athens Tel: 210.361.1206 (The) Breeder Gallery Iasonas 45, Metaxourgio, Tel: 210.331.7527 Ekfrasi Gallery Valaoritou 9a, 10671 Athens, Greece Tel: 210 360 7598 EMST National Museum of Contemporary Art Vas. Georgiou B 17 - 19 & Rigilis Str. Athens 10675, Tel: 210 9242 111-3 Fizz Gallery Valaoritou 9c, Athens 10671 Greece, Tel: 210 360 7598 Gagosian Gallery Merlin 3, Athens 10671, Tel: 210 364 0215 Gallery 7 Zalokosta 7, Syntagma, Tel: 210.361.2050 Gialino Music Theatre Sigrou 143, N. Smirni, Athens Tel: 210 9316 101-4 Herakleidon Herakleidon 16, Thissio, Tel: 210.346.1981 Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre 48 Armatolon-Klephton st. 11471 Athens, Tel: 210 643 9466 Jill Yakas Spartis 16, Kifissia. Tel: 210.801.2773 www.yakas.com K-Art Gallery Sina 54, 106 72, Athens, Greece Tel: 211 401 3877 Kalfayan Gallery Haritos 11, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.721.7679 Kourd Gallery Kassiani 2-4, Tel: 210.642.6573 ww.gallerykourd.gr
Acropolis is open daily and entrance, includes archaeological sites. Tel: 201.321.0219 Ancient Agora was the heart of ancient Athens - the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social life for centuries. Athinais Cultural Centre formerly a silk factory, this space has been converted into a large cultural centre. Kastorias 34-36, Votanikos. Tel: 210.348.0000. Byzantine Churches many churches dating from the 11th and 12th centuries are found around the city. Noteworthy examples include: Agios Eleftherios, next to the cathedral on Mitropoleos Street; Kapnikarea, halfway down Ermou Street from Syntagma; Agi Apostoli, Agora area south of Stoa of Attalos; and Agia Triada (Russian Orthodox church) on Filellinon Street. Churches are open to the public on Sundays and holidays, also usually for daily prayers 7am-1pm and 4-6:30pm. Dress soberly when visiting. Technopolis (Gazi) a 19th century gas factory turned major cultural centre for performing arts and installation works. Pireos 100 & Ermou, Gazi. Tel: 210.346.1589. Hadrian’s Arch a Roman arch that marked the boundary of ancient Athens and the new city. Located at the corner of Vas. Olgas and Amalias Avenues.
Agora Museum Located in the Stoa of Attalos. Tel: 210.321.0185. Atelier Spyros Vassiliou Webster 5A, Athens. Tel: 210.923.1502 www.spyrosvassiliou.org Athens University History Museum Tholou 5, Plaka, Tel: 210.368.9502 www.history-museum.uoa.gr Benaki Museum Koumbari 1 & Vas. Sofias Avenue Tel: 210.367.1000, www.benaki.gr Benaki Museum of Islamic Arts Dipylou 12, Kerameikos. Tel: 210.325.1311 www.benaki.gr
Benaki Museum, Pireos Pireos 138 & Andronikou Tel: 210.345.3111, www.benaki.gr Byzantine Museum Vas. Sofias 22, Tel: 210.721.1027. Hellenic Cosmos Foundation of the Hellenic world Pireos 254, Tavros. Tel: 212.254.0000. www.hellenic-cosmos.gr Frissiras Vlassis Museum of Contemporary European Art Monis Asteriou 3-7, Plaka, Tel: 210.323.4678 www.frissirasmuseum.com Goulandris Foundation Museum of Cycladic Art Neofytou Douka 4, Tel: 210.722.8321 www.cycladic.gr Herakleidon Herakleidon 16, Thissio. Tel: 210-346.1981. www.herakleidon-art.gr Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum Karyatidon & Kallisperi 12, Makrygianni. Tel: 210.922.7260. www.lalaounis.com Jewish Museum Nikis 39, Plaka. Tel: 210.322.5582. www.jewishmuseum.gr Keramikos Museum Ermou 148, Monastiraki, Tel: 210.346.3552. Maria Callas Museum Technopolis, Pireos 100, Gazi, Tel: 210.346.1589 National Archaeological Museum Patission 44, Athens, Tel: 210.821.7724 National Gallery and Alexandros Soutsos Museum Vas. Konstantinou 50. Tel: 210.723.5857, 210.723.5937 Numismatic Museum Panepistimiou 12, Athens. Tel: 210.363.5953. www.nma.gr The Acropolis Museum Dionysiou Areopagitou Street Tel: 210.924.1043, www.theacropolismuseum.gr
Just for kids
Tel: 210.322.9705
Lykavittos Hill is the highest point in Athens. Take the teleferique from the top of Ploutarchou St. Megaron Mousikis (The Athens Concert Hall) live concerts, operas and other performances. Vas. Sofias Ave. & Kokkali. Tel: 210.728.2333 Odeon of Herod Atticus built in 161 AD, this is where the Athens Festival takes place. Accessible for €1.50 and open daily from 8:30am. Panathenian Stadium “Kalimarmaro”was the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. Located at Vassileos Konstantinou and Agras, across from the National Garden. Pnyx Hill here, for the first time in history, every citizen could vote, giving Pnyx the name the “birthplace of democracy”. Close by is the beautiful Old Observatory. Presidential Palace formerly the Royal Palace, this building is used by the President of Greece to host dignitaries. Irodou Attikou Street. Stoa of Attalos shopping arcade built in the 2nd century BC and totally reconstructed in the 1950s. Tues-Sun 8:30am3pm. Admission to the Agora and museum €3.50. Adrianou 24. Tel: 210.321.0185 Syntagma (Constitution Square) is the heart of the city and the best spot for new visitors to orient themselves. The Evzones, dressed in traditional uniforms, guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament. The changingof-the-guard ceremony takes place every hour. Temple of Olympian Zeus once the largest temple in ancient Greece, its ruins lie just behind Hadrian's Arch. Mon-Sun 8am-7:30pm. €2.00. Vas. Olgas and Amalias Avenues, Tel: 210.922.6330. Theatre of Dionysus built in the 5th century BC is where the plays of Aristophanes, Euripides, Aeschylus and Sophocles were first performed. Tower of Winds the octagonal tower, representing the eight directions of the wind, was built in the 1st century BC by the Syrian astronomer Andronicus. Mon-Sun 8am-7pm. Just east of the Ancient Agora. Tel: 210.324.5220.
Museums
ASSOCIATION OF GUIDES
Pallas Theatre Skoufa 77 & Staikou 2, Kolonaki Athens, Tel: 210 364 0783 Skoufa Gallery Skoufa 4, Kolonaki, Tel: 210.360.3541 Stavros Mihaliaras Art 260 Kifissias & Diligianni, Kifissia Tel: 210.623.0928 Thanassis Frisssiras Gallery Kriezotou 7, Tel: 210. 364.0288 The Art Foundation (TAF) Normanou 5, Monastiraki, Tel: 210.323.8757 The Eynard Mansion Aghiou Konstantinou 20 & Menandrou, Athens 104 31, Tel: 210 322 1335 The National Art Gallery and Alexander Soutzos Museum Michalakopoulou 1 - Vas. Constantinou 1, 115 28 Athens, Tel: 210-7235857 Titanium Yiayiannos Vas. Konstantinou 44, Pangrati, Tel: 210.729.7644 Tsatsis Project/ Artforum 12 Mitropoleos st. & Venizelou PC 54624 Thessaloniki, Tel: 231 025 7552 Xippas Gallery Sofokleous 53D, 105 52 Athens, Greece, Tel: 210 331 9333 Zoumboulakis Gallery Kolonaki Square 20, Kolonaki Tel: 210.360.8278 Zoumboulakis Gallery Graphics & Editions Kriezotou 6, Syntagma, Tel: 210.363.4454
Attractions & Sites
ORGANISED TOURS
Allou Fun Park Kifissou & Petrou Ralli, Ag. Ioannis Rentis, Tel: 210.425.6999, www.allou.gr Children’s Museum Kydathinaeon 14, Plaka, Tel: 210.331.2995. Goulandris Museum of Natural History Levidou 13, Kifissia. Tel: 210.801.5870, www.gnhm.gr Greek Folk Art Museum Daily Karaghiozis puppet shows! Kydathinaeon 17, Plaka, Tel: 210.322.9031 Museum of Children’s Art Kodrou 9, Plaka, Tel: 210.331.22621 www.childrensartmuseum.gr
Summit The Wall Sport Climbing Center Ag. Athanasiou 12, Pallini, Tel: 210.603.0093, www.summit.gr Westin Kids Club Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni, Tel: 210.890.2000 http://www.westinathens.com/en/westin_kids_club/
insider athens | February 2013 69
partner hotels ARION RESORT & SPA
ATHENS LEDRA MARRIOTT HOTEL
DIVANI PALACE ACROPOLIS
METROPOLITAN
The legendary beauty resort is part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Breathtaking views of the Saronic Gulf, elegant and sophisticated décor in all 123 rooms and suites, private swimming pools and beaches, spa and gourmet restaurants. Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.890.2000
314 deluxe guest rooms, 18 suites. Rooftop swimming pool and bar, health club, Kona Kai Polynesian - Tepanyiaki Restaurant and sports bar. Syngrou 115. Tel: 210.930.0000
Located at the base of the Acropolis and close to Plaka. Pool with bar, roof garden restaurant with Acropolis view. Parthenonos 19-25. Makrigianni. Tel: 210.928.0100
Beautifully renovated property with views of the sea and the Acropolis. Ten minutes from central Athens, the port of Piraeus and main exhibition centers. Syngrou 385. Tel: 210.947.1000
NEW
GRANDE BRETAGNE
NJV athens plaza
Designed by the Campana brothers, NEW, the latest venture of YES! Hotels has 79 luxury rooms, including 18 Studios and 6 Junior Suites. NEW Taste, is the Hotel’s innovative restaurant concept. Filellinon 16, Syntagma. Tel: 210.3273000
This city landmark is part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. All 265 rooms and 56 suites are decorated with original artwork and antiques. Reception areas, ballrooms, roof garden with Acropolis view. Luxury spa, indoor and outdoor pools. Syntagma Sq. Tel: 210.333.0000
Crowne plaza
Holiday Inn Attica Avenue
Newly renovated, the former Holiday Inn Athens is at a very convenient location and attracts both business and leisure travellers. Amenities include restaurant, bar, rooftop swimming pool, conference and business facilities, garage parking. Michalakopoulou 50. Tel: 210.727.8000, www.cpathens.com
New five-star property on Attica Avenue linking Athens with the international airport. State-of-the art conference facilities, restaurant, two bars, pool and fitness center. 40.2 km Attica Road, between exits 17 & 18. Tel: 210.668.9000, www.hiathens.com
ATHENAEUM INTERCONTINENTAL ATHENS
543 rooms with renovated Deluxe rooms and suites. Dedicated business centre facilities and 3.500 m2 of extensive & flexible meeting space. New I-Spa and renovated gym. Award winning restaurants. Syngrou 89-93. Tel: 210.920.6000
Boutique-style hotel with 182 rooms including 23 suites with breathtaking views of the Acropolis, ideally located in the heart of the business and shopping district within walking distance of Plaka. 2, Vas.Georgiou A’ St, Athens Tel: 210 3352400 NOVOTEL
ATHENIAN CALLIRHOE HOTEL
66 state-of the-art rooms, 15 executive rooms and 3 suites. The acclaimed Etrusco Restaurant serves top quality Mediterranean cuisine. Kallirois 32 & Petmeza. Tel: 210.921.5353 ATHENS ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL
Located in historic Plaka beneath the Acropolis. Facilities include bar, restaurant, spa area with indoor swimming pool, business centre, garden and underground parking. N. Nikodimou 18-20, Plaka. Tel: 210.337.0000 ATHENS HILTON
DIVANI APOLLON PALACE & SPA
Located seaside with a magnificent view of the Saronic Gulf. All rooms with balconies and sea views. Indoor and outdoor pools, boutiques, beauty parlor, business centre and spa. Ag. Nikolaou 10 & Iliou, Kavouri-Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.891.1100
70 insider athens | February 2013
situated close to major tourist attractions with, rooftop restaurant and swimming pool. Vas. Alexandrou 2, Tel: 210.720.7000
Royal Olympic
Holiday Suites
Elegant, all-suite hotel offering high standard accommodation. Each suite provides guests with a separate living room and kitchenette. Arnis 4.Tel: 210.727.8000, www.holiday-suites.com
Near the Acropolis Museum. 265 rooms and 45 unique Panorama Suites, overlooking the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis. Pool, business center, convention and banquet facilities. Roof Garden Restaurant/Bar “Ioannis”. 28-34, Ath. Diakou Str., 11743 Athens, Greece. Tel. 210 9288400, www.royalolympic.com
KEFALARI SUITES
SEMIRAMIS
Turn-of-the-century hotel in Kifissia, part of YES! Hotels.Themed suites with modern facilities. Pentelis 1, Kifissia. Tel: 210.623.3333
YES! Hotel designed by Karim Rashid. 51 luxury rooms, 4 suites and 6 poolside bungalows. Ultra-trendy bar-restaurant. Harilaou Trikoupi 48, Kefalari-Kifissia. Tel: 210.628.4400
DIVANI CARAVEL
508 renovated rooms, two pools, banquet rooms restaurants, convention facilities, business centre & spa. The rooftop Galaxy bar has gorgeous city views. Vas. Sofias 46. Tel: 210.728.1000
The newly renovated Novotel is designed for natural living. Close to Omonoia square and the National Museum. Open plan bar and rooftop bar and restaurant and pool.4-6 Mikhail Voda Street Tel: 210.820.0700, www..novotel.com
partner hotels SOFITEL ATHENS AIRPORT
TwentyOne
Herodion
COSTA NAVARINO The Westin Resort Costa Navarino
Airport hotel. Executive floor, business center and conference facilities. Two bars and two restaurants. Health club and covered swimming pool. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Spata. Tel: 210.354.4000 ST. GEORGE LYCABETTUS HOTEL
A member of YES! Hotels. Modern design and simple architectural charm. 16 ergonomically designed rooms and 5 loft suites. “21” Bar Restaurant for indoor and outdoor dining. Kolokotroni 21, Kefalari-Kifissia Tel: 210.623.3521. www.twentyone.gr
A CATEGORY
Located at the base of the Acropolis and a five minute walk to Plaka. 90 guest rooms, meeting facilities and a lovely atrium barcoffee shop. Rovertou Galli 4, Makrigianni. Tel: 210.923.6832 HOTEL ELECTRA
AVA HOTEL & SUITES
Located in the upper part of Kolonaki, not far from the Lycabettus (Lykavittos) funicular railway. Excellent restaurant, Le Grand Balcon. Rooftop swimming pool. Kleomenous 2, Dexamenis Square, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.729.0711 THEOXENIA PALACE HOTEL
Luxurious apartments and suites in Plaka. Magnificent views of the Acropolis, Hadrian’s Arch and Zeus Temple. Short walk to Syntagma and Monastiraki. Lysikratous street 9-11, Plaka. Tel: 210.325.9000, www.avahotel.gr
Inspired by old Messinian mansions, the Westin resort’s low-rise villa clusters use natural stone and local design elements to create a motif in perfect harmony with the virgin sandy beach and pristine hillside landscape. Its 445 deluxe rooms and suites, 123 with private infinity pools, offer access to an extensive common pool areas, and reflect Westin’s soothing aesthetic The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort
Within walking distance from all major archaeological sites, business and commercial districts. Includes bar, restaurant, lobby and meeting areas. Ermou 5, Syntagma. Tel: 210.337.8000 PERISCOPE HOTEL
CORAL HOTEL
The Romanos Resort boasts of 289 exquisitely appointed rooms and 32 suites with individual infinity pools. Traditional Greek design with contemporary touches sets the tone in each space, where the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean is the preferred hue.
Santorini MYSTIQUE SANTORINI
In an elegant neoclassical building in Kefalari, this hotel has a restaurant, bar, gym, sauna and outdoor pool. Business centre, internet and conference facilities. Filadelfeos 2, Kifissia. Tel: 210.623.3622-6 THE MARGI
The Coral’s 86 rooms and 2 suites offer all modern conveniences. Poseidonos Avenue 35, Paleo Faliron. Tel: 210.981.6441 Fresh Hotel
Boutique hotel with 90 spacious rooms and suites and great views to the sea and pine forests. Café Tabac Restaurant offers a unique dining experience while Malabar and J-lounge are perfect for a glass of champagne. Close to the lake, beach and tennis courts. Litous 11, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.892.9000. www.themargi.gr THE WESTIN ATHENS
Situated in the heart of old Athens within walking distance of the Plaka, Psirri and Monastiraki. Enjoy the hip Orange Bar, rooftop restaurant and pool. Sophocleous 26 & Klisthenous. Tel: 210.524.8511-6.
Designed for people who wish to be part of all that goes on in the city. 17 rooms, 4 junior suites and a super-lux penthouse suite. Part of YES! Hotels. Haritos 22, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.729.7200, www.periscope.gr
Mystique is an 18 villa hotel, designed by Frank Le Fevbre. Mystique, Oia. Tel. 22860 71114
Philippos
VEDEMA, SANTORINI
Recently refurbished, all 50 rooms are wellappointed and comfortable. Offers good value for money in the Acropolis area. Mitseon 3, Makrigianni. Tel: 210.922.3611-4
amarilia hotel
Vedema has 45 rooms converted from a 100 year old neo-classical captain’s house and a private swiming pool for all the suites. Vedema, Megalohori. Tel. 22860 81 796
SYROS VILLA SELENA
@ Part of the Astir Palace Complex with 162 guest rooms and suites and views of the Saronic Gulf. Sea view lounges, trendy bars, fusion and Mediterranean cuisine restaurants and private gazebos by an Olympic-sized pool. Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni. Tel: 210.890.2000
Amarilia Hotel in Vouliagmeni is an excellent choice for business and leisure travellers. 100 renovated rooms and suites with great sea views, meeting and banqueting facilities, outdoor swimming pool. Ag. Nikolaou 13 Vouliagmeni. Tel. 210 8990391, www.amarilia.gr
Would you like TO see your hotel LISTED here? CONTACT US at: info@insider-magazine.gr
A luxurious five-star boutique hotel with suitably equipped rooms and suites to ensure a comfortable stay. The spacious terrace with a panoramic view is ideal for breakfast or drinks Tel. 2810 86007, www.villaselena.eu
insider athens | February 2013 71
useful information Business services
OTE video conference service 7.30am-10pm. Patission 85. Tel: 210.883.8578, 210.822.0399 TCS M. Antipa 20 & 2 Prometheus, Tel: 210.976.7086
Denis Kasimatis - Driving School Zografou, Papagou, Ilissia, Psychiko, Cholargos and Goudi - Tel: 210 778 3157 210 779 6981 Trochokinisi Driving School 28th Oktovriou 126, Ambelokipi, Athens Tel: 231 072 9092 Driving School Highway Amfitheas and Ag. Triados 30, 175 64 Paleo Faliro - Tel: 210 988 8098 / 6997 722 777 Vlachos Bros 25th Martiou 11, Peristeri; Xenofodos 17, Peristeri; Afroditis 39, Ilion Tel: 210 574 4895 / 210 576 9190
COMPUTER & CELL-PHONE RENTAL TrimTel Mobile Communications Michalakopoulou 41, Tel: 210.729.1964
Relocation Agencies Allied Pickfords Tel: 210 610 4494 Mourouzi 7, Athens Athens Relocation Centre Tel: 210 96 50 697, Zakynthou 10, Attica Movers Tel: 210 922 7221 19, Syngrou Ave Celebrity International Movers 102, Kapodistriou Ave, Tel: 210 272 0106 Corporate Relocations Athens Tel: 210 800 3510, Ag. Saranta 32 Nea Erithrea Orphee Beinoglou Tel: 210 9466100 27th km Old National Road Athens-Korinth Location Elefsinia, GR-19200 Elefsina Omega Transport Thesi Kyrilos, 19300 Aspropyrgos Tel: 210 947 5500 Octopus Relocation Services Ygeias 7, Marina Zeas, Tel: 210 4599530
Commercial Office spaces Regus Tel: 210 727 9000 Global Business Services Tel: 210-8764 876 Kifissias Ave. 90, Maroussi
COURIER SERVICES ACS Tel: 210.819.0000 DHL Tel: 210.989.0000 Express City Tel: 210.821.9959 Geniki Taxydromiki Tel: 210.485.1100 Interattika Tel: 210.540.5400 Speedex Tel: 801.11.000.11 UPS Tel: 210.998.4000
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72 insider athens | February 2013
TRANSLATIONS / INTERPRETING Executive services, translation & interpreting All EU and Balkan languages - legal, technical and medical documents. Athens Tower B. Tel: 210.778.3698 www.executiveservices.gr Global Business Services Kifisias 90, Maroussi. Tel: 210.876.4876 IBS - International Business Services Michalakopoulou 29, Tel: 210.724.5541
Travel Agencies Travel Plan Tel: 210 333 3300 www.travelplan.gr Amphitrion Tel: 210 900 6000 Meg Alexandrou 7 & Karaiskaki, www.amphitrionholidays.gr TravelPlanet24 Tel: 211 107 9684 241, Syngrou Ave. & 2, Alikarnassou 171 22 Nea Smyrni, Athens www.travelplanet24.com Mid-east Travel Tel: 211 211 8888 Vas Sofias 105-107 / www.mideast.gr
Embassies Cultural Institutes
Driving Schools in English
AUDIOVISUAL
French Institute Sina 31, 10680 Athens Tel: 210 339 8600 Hellenic American Union Massalias 22, 10680 Athens, Tel: 210 368 0900 British Council 17 Kolonaki Square 17 106 73 Athens Tel: 210 369 2333 Instituto Cervantes Mitropoleos 23, 105 57 Athens Tel: 210 3634117 Goethe Institut Omirou 14-16, 100 33 Athens Tel: 210 3661000 Onassis Cultural Centre Syngrou Ave. 107-109, 117 45 Athens, Tel: 213 017 8000 Instituto Italiano di Cultura Patission [28 Oktovriou] 47 Tel: 210 369 2333, 210 524 2646 ALBANIA Vekiareli 7, Filothei, Tel: 210.687.6200 ALGERIA Vas. Constantinou 14 Tel: 210.756.4191-2 ARGENTINA Vas. Sophias 59. Tel: 210.724.4158 ARMENIA K. Palaiologou 95, Tel: 210.683.1130, 210.683.1145 AUSTRALIA Kifisias & Alexandras, Tel: 210.870.4000 AUSTRIA Vas. Sofias Avenue 4, Tel: 210.725.7270
AZERBAiJAN Skoufa 10. Tel: 210.363.2721 BELGIUM Sekeri 3, Tel: 210.360.0314 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Hatzikosta 3. Tel: 210.641.0788 BRAZIL Filikis Etaireias Sq. 14. Tel: 210.721.3039 BULGARIA Stratigou Kallari 33A, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.8105 CANADA Ioanni Gennadiou 4. Tel: 210.727.3400 CHILE Kifisias 317A Tel: 210.807.1020 CHINA Krinon 2A, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.677.1212 CROATIA Tzavella 4, N. Psychiko. Tel: 210.677.7033 CUBA Sofokleous 5, Filothei. Tel: 210.685.5550 CYPRUS Xenofontos 2A. Tel: 210.373.4800 CZECH REPUBLIC G. Seferi 6, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.671.9701 DENMARK Mourouzi 10. Tel: 210.725.6440 EGYPT Vas. Sofias 3. Tel: 210.361.8612 ESTONIA Messoghion 2-4. Tel: 210.747.5660 FINLAND Hatziyianni Mexi 5. Tel: 210.725.5860 FRANCE Vas. Sofias 7. Tel: 210.339.1000 FYROM Papadiamanti 4, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.9585 GEORGIA Ag. Dimitriou 24, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.2186 GERMANY Karaoli & Dimitriou 3. Tel: 210.728.5111 HUNGARY Karneadou 25. Tel: 210.725.6800 INDIA Kleanthous 3. Tel: 210.721.6481 INDONESIA Marathonodromon 99, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.2345 IRAN Stratigou Kallari 16. Tel: 210.674.1436 IRELAND Vas. Konstantinou 7. Tel: 210.723.2405 ISRAEL Marathonodromon 1, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.670.5500 ITALY Sekeri 2. Tel: 210.361.7260 JAPAN Ethnikis Antistaseos 46, Halandri. Tel: 210.670.9900 JORDAN Papadiamanti 21. P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.4161 Kazakhstan Imittou 122, Papagou Tel: 210.654.7765 KOREA Messoghion 2-4, Athens. Tel: 210.698.4080 KUWAIT Perikleous 2, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.3593
Ambulance Tel: 166 Doctors SOS Tel: 1016. They will issue an invoice to claim reimbursement from your insurer. Duty Pharmacies Call 1434, Also check newspapers for listings. Emergency Hospitals Tel: 1434 Fire Brigade Tel: 199 Forest Fire Tel: 191 Poison Hotline Tel: 210.779.3777 Police Tel: 100 Tourist Police Tel: 171 Coastguard Tel:108 Air Police Tel: 210.964.2000
EUROCLINIC PAEDON Lemessou 39-41 & Aharnon 209, Kato Patissia, Tel: 210.869.1900 PAEDON AGIA SOFIA HOSPITAL Mikras Asias and Thivon, Goudi. Tel: 210.746.7000 PAEDON AGLAIA KYRIAKOU HOSPITAL Livadias 3 and Thivon, Goudi. Tel: 210.772.6000 & 1535
Private Hospitals Advanced Medical Services, Symmetria Building Ethnikis Antistaseos 66, Halandri. Tel: 210.677.3573 www.symmetria.gr CENTRAL CLINIC OF ATHENS Asklipiou St. 31. Emergency number 1169 or Tel: 210.367.4000 www.centralclinic.gr EUROCLINIC diagnostic, surgical and treatment centre. Athanasiadou 9. (near Mavili Sq.). Tel: 210.641.6600 EURODENTICA Specialized dental care Patision 150, Tel: 210. 866.3367-8 Alamanas 3, Maroussi. Tel: 210.619.5760-1 El. Venizelou 162, Kallithea. Tel: 210.956.5365 HYGEIA Kifissias & E. Stavrou 4, Maroussi. Tel: 210.686.7000 www.ygeia.gr IATRIKO KENTRO (ATHENS MEDICAL CENTER) Areos 36, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.989.2100-20. Distomou 5-7, Maroussi. Tel: 210.619.8100 METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL Ethnarou Makariou 9 & El. Venizelou, N. Faliro. Tel: 210.480.9000 www.metropolitan-hospital.gr IASO Kifissias 37-39, Maroussi. Tel: 210.618.4000 MITERA Kifissias & E. Stavrou 6, Maroussi. Tel: 210.686.9000
public Hospitals ROAD ASSISTANCE ELPA Tel: 10400 Emergency Service Tel: 104 Express Service Tel: 154 Hellas Service Tel: 1057 Interamerican Tel: 168 Tourist Information Tel: 174
ASKLEPIEION HOSPITAL Vas. Pavlou 1, Voula. Tel: 210.895.8301-4 EVANGELISMOS Ypsilantou 45-47, Kolonaki. Tel: 210.720.1000 KAT HOSPITAL specialized trauma unit. Nikis 2, Kifissia. Tel: 210.628.0000
TZANNEIO Afentouli & Tzani, Pireaus. Tel: 210.451.9411-9
PHYSICIANS (ENGLISH SPEAKING) Ioannis Bitzos, MD Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Harilaou Trikoupi 62 Kifissia. Tel: 210.808.0682 A.J. Kanellopoulos, MD Eye Surgeon, Mesogeion 2, Athens Tower B’ Tel: 210.747.2777 Dimitris Linos, MD FACS General Surgeon, Kifissias 227, Kifissia. Tel: 210.612.5001-2 heart & vascular centrE E.N. Deliargyris, MD FACC FSCAI Interventional cardiologist. Southern Athens. Vakchou 2 & Vas. Kostantinou Tel:210.897.6276. www.heartline.gr
English media
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Paediatric Hospitals
Newspapers The International Herald Tribune carries the English version of Kathimerini Athens Insider, the bi-monthly magazine for Greece
Radio Athens International Radio 104,4 Good Morning Athens at 10am, english programs at 11am, music programs on weekdays at 9pm, weekends at 1pm
Schools
Greek Language
SWITZERLAND Iasiou 2, Tel: 210.723.0364-6 TAIWAN Marathonodromon 57, Tel: 210.677.5122 Representative office THAILAND Marathorodromon 25 & Kyprou, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.9065 TUNISIA Antheon 2, P. Psychiko, Tel: 210.671.7590 TURKEY Vas. Georgiou B’ 8, Tel: 210.726.3000 UKRAINE Stephanou Delta 4, Filothei, Tel: 210.680.0230 UNITED KINGDOM Ploutarchou 1. Tel: 210.727.2600 UNITED STATES Vas. Sofias 91. Tel: 210.721.2951 URUGUAY Menandrou 1, Kifissia Tel: 210.361.3549 VATICAN Mavili 2, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.3598 VENEZUELA Marathonodromon 19, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.672.9169 VIETNAM Yakinthon 50, Psychiko. Tel. 210.612.8733, 210.675.3080.
Emergencies
LEBANON 6, 25th Martiou, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.675.5873 LIBYA Vyronos 13, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.2120 LITHUANIA Vas. Sophias 49. Tel: 210.729.4356 LATVIA Vas. Konstantinou 38. Tel. 210.729.4483 LUXEMBOURG Vas. Sofias 23A & Neofitou Vamva 2.Tel: 210.725.6400 MALTA V. Sofias 96.Tel: 210.778.5138 MEXICO Filikis Etaireias Sq. 14. Tel: 210.729.4780 MOLDAVIA Georgiou Bacu 20, Filothei. Tel: 210.699.0660 MOROCCO Marathonodromon 5, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.674.4210 NETHERLANDS Vas Konstantinou 5-7. Tel: 210.725.4900 NIGERIA Dolianis 65, Maroussi. Tel: 210.802.1188 NORWAY Vas. Sofias 23. Tel: 210.724.6173 PAKISTAN Loukianou 6. Tel: 210.729.0122 PALESTINE Giassemion 13, P. Psychiko. Tel.: 210.672.6061-3 PANAMA Praxitelous 192 & II Merarchias, Piraeus. Tel: 210.428.6441 PERU Semitelou 2. Tel: 210.779.2761 PHILIPPINES Antheon 26, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.672.1837 POLAND Chrysanthemon 22, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.679.7700 PORTUGAL Vas. Sofias 23. Tel: 210.729.0096 / 210.723.6784 QATAR Rigillis 16A Tel: 210.725.5031 ROMANIA Emm. Benaki 7, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.672.8875 RUSSIA Nikiforos Lytra 28, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.672.5235 SAUDIA ARABIA Palaiologhou 2 & Agias Annis Tel: 210.671.6911 SERBIA Vas. Sophias 106, Tel: 210.777.4344 SINGAPORE Aigialias 17, Paradissos Amaroussiou. Tel: 210.684.5072 SLOVAK REPUBLIC G. Seferi 4, P. Psychiko. Tel: 210.677.1980 SLOVENIA Mavili 10, Tel: 210.672.0090-091 SOUTH AFRICA Kifissias 60, Maroussi. Tel: 210.610.6645 SPAIN Dionysiou Areopagitou 21, Tel: 210.921.3123 SWEDEN Vas. Konstantinou 7, Tel: 210.726.6100
Health
useful information
The Athens Center 48 Archimidous Street, Mets, Athens 11636, Greece 210 7015-242 CELT Athens 77 Academias Street, 106 78 Athens, Greece, Tel: 210 3301455 Greek House Dragoumi 7, 145 61 Kifissia, Tel: 210 808 5186 Hellenic American Union 22 Massalias str., 106 80 Athens, Tel: 210368.0900 Omilo Greek Language And Culture Panagi Tsaldari 13 (4th floor), 15122 Maroussi, Tel: 210 6122706
insider athens | February 2013 73
useful information
Public Power Corporation (DEI) In case of power failure: Tel: 210, 523 9939 www.dei.gr
Weather Attica, Tel: 148, www.hnms.gr
Water Supply & Sewage (EYDAP) In case of water cut: Tel: 1202, www.eydap.gr
Citizen’s Rights Ombudsman: 5 Hatziyiannis Mexis (near the Hilton Hotel), Tel: 210 72 89 640
Universities University of Indianapolis Ipitou 9, Athens, Tel: 210 323 6647 DEREE Gravias 6, Aghia Paraskevi, Tel: 210 600 9800
74 insider athens | February 2013
ALBA Graduate Business School Athinas Ave. & Areos 2A, Vouliagmeni Tel: 210 896 4531 American University of Athens Kifisias & Sochou 4, Neo Psichiko, Tel: 210 725 9301 Business College of Athens Tatoiou 2 & Othonos 77, Kifissia Tel: 210 808 8008
International Kindergartens
International Schools
St Catherine's British Embassy School Sofoklis Venizelou 77, Lykovrissi Tel: 210 282 9750 St. Lawrence College Anemon St, Koropi Tel: 210 891 7000 American Community Schools of Athens Aghias Paraskevis Ave. 129, Halandri, Tel: 210 639 3200 Campion School Aghias Ioulianis, Pallini Tel: 210 607 1700 Byron College Filolaou 7, Gerakas Tel: 210 604 7722 International School of Athens Xenias and Artemidos, Kifissia, Tel: 210 623 3888 Lycée Franco-Hellénique Eugène Delacroix Chlois & Trikalon, Ag. Paraskevi Tel: 211 300 9121 Scuola Statale Italiana Odos Mitsaki 18, Ano Patissia Tel: 210 228 2720 German School in Athens Homatianou & Ziridi, Maroussi Tel: 210 619 9261 Greek German School 25 Martiou & Vernardou, Vrylissia Tel: 210 682 0566
English kindergartens The Cottage Kindergarten Psaron 74, Halandri Tel: 210 682 7629 Early Learning Rizountos 53, Elliniko Tel: 210 961 8763 Hopscotch International Kindergarten Ag. Triandos 93, Vari Tel: 210 965 3985 Kifissia Montessori School Ellinikon Stratou 5, Kifissia Tel: 210 620 7481 Melina’s Kindergarten Harilaou Trikoupi 16, Kifissia Tel: 210 801 2719 Peek-a-boo PreSchool Vougliameni Tel: 210 967 1970 Peter Pan Lakonias 4-6, Voula Tel: 210 895 9654 Prince Allen The English Nursery School Lysimahou 8, Vari Tel: 210 965 6800
Money
Public Services Administration Information Center (paperwork assistance) on weekdays 8am-3pm (KEP): Tel: 177, ww.kep.gov.gr
National Library Tzavella 25, Tel: 210 382 0657 Benakeios Library Anthimou Gazi 2, Tel: 210 322 71 Nordic Library 7 Kavalotti St, Tel: 210 9249210 and 210 9249211
LOST OR STOLEN CREDIT CARDS
Post offices operate weekdays 8am-2pm. The main post offices in Athens are located at SYNTAGMA SQUARE and OMONIA SQUARE at Aeolou 100 and open weekdays 7:30am-8pm, Sat 7:30am-2pm, and Sun 9am-1:30pm.
German kindergartens O mikros Antonis Barbayiannis, Pallini, Tel: 210 603 2527
Italian kindergartens Scuola maternal italiana de Atene Mitsaki 18, Ano Patissia, Tel: 210 202 0274 Il Mulino magico Troados 23, Ag Paraskevi, Tel: 210 600 3148 British Council Library Kolonaki Sq. 17 Tel: 210 363 3211/5 American Library Masalias 22 (4th floor) Tel: 210 363 8114 American School of Classical Studies Blegen Souedias 54, Tel: 210 723 6313 Athens College Library Stephanou Delta, P. Psychiko Tel: 210 671 4628 Hellenic American Union Greek Library 22 Masalias St (7th floor), Tel: 210 362 9886 French Institute Library 31 Sina St, Tel: 210 362 4301 German Archaeological Institute Library Pheidiou 1, Tel: 210 362 0270 Goethe Institute Library Omirou 14-16, Tel: 210 360 8111 Italian Institut Library Patision 47, Tel: 210 522 9294 EU Library Vas. Sophias 2, Tel: 210 724 3982
AMERICAN EXPRESS Tel: 210.326.2626 DINERS CLUB Tel: 210.929.0200 EUROCARD Tel: 210.950.3673 MASTERCARD Tel: 00800.1188.70303, VISA Tel: 00.800.1163.803.04
Country Code: 30 City Code: 210 international calls first dial 00, then the country code. To call from a Public pay- phone buy a phone card at the kiosks. Prepaid mobile phone cards (SIM cards) are available for €5 at kiosks, post offices, mini markets and mobile phone company stores.
Phone
Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) www.oaed.gr, Tel: 210 99 89 000
Au petit bonheur 50 Iraklitou, Glyfada, Tel: 210 9658 207 Les Alouettes Spartis 36 & Harilaou Trikoupi, Kifissia Tel: 210 80 11 570 L’Air des Contes 11, Cycladon, Glyka Nera, Tel : 210 600 3196 Le Castelet 18 Gortinias, Kifissia, Tel: 210 808 7760 Mary Poppins 4, Kodrou, Filothei, Tel: 210 677 3803 Play and Learn Kassaveti 22, Kifissia, Tel: 210 801 1428
Libraires
Road Assistance ELPA: 104
Social Security & Health insurance (IKA) www.ika.gr
Post
French kindergartens Telephone & Internet Services (OTE) New tel: 138, Tel. (defective): 129 OTE customer service: 134 International call information (English, French & German): 169 www.ote.gr
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Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Spata. Tel: 210.353.0000, 210.353.1000. www.aia.gr. 24 HOUR VIP TRANSPORT SERVICE
Car rental
WSW Skycap Services at Athens Airport provides Meet & Greet, Baggage Hauling and Transport Service. Tel: 210.353.0100 www.skycap.gr For info about the public bus lines please check our section Getting Around Ada Rent-a-Car Tel: 210.322.0087 Arena Tel: 210.894.6883, 210.614.7400 Auto Union Tel: 210.922.1211/1213 Avis Tel: 210.322.4951 Budget Tel: 210.921.4771-3 Europcar Tel: 210.924.8810-8 Hertz Tel: 210.998.2000 Michael Stamou Luxury Rentals Tel: 210.922.2442/43 Sixt Rent-a-Car Tel: 210.570.6895, 210.922.0171
LIMOUSINES AAA Royal Prestige Tel: 210.988.3221 Astra Limousine Service Tel: 210.922.0333/807.9996 Convecta Travel Agency & Limousine Services Tel: 210.322.5090 Limousines Kakaya Tel: 210.323.4120
Public transport
Airport
Airlines
Aegean Tel: 801.11.20000 Air France KLM Tel: 210.998.0222 Air Malta Tel: 210.965.2300-22 Alitalia Tel: 210.998.8888 American Tel: 210.361.3373 Air Taxis (Helicopter and plane charters) Tel: 210.938.4149 British Airways Tel: 801.11.56000 BMI Tel: 210.960.0942 Continental Tel: 210.353.4312 Cyprus Airways Tel: 210.353.4100 Delta Tel: 210.331.1673-6 Easy Jet Tel: 210.353.0300 El Al Tel: 210.934.1500-1 Emirates Tel: 210.933.3400 Etihad Tel: 210.960.56.08 Iberia Tel: 210.353.6004 Lufthansa Tel: 210.617.5200 Olympic Airways Tel: 210.966.6666 Qatar Airways Tel: 210.950.8700 Swiss / Crossair Tel: 210.617.5320 Tunisair Tel: 210 3220104-5 Turkish Tel: 210.353.7280-2
Combined tickets for metro, buses and trolleys (€1,40) are available from metro stations and central ticket booths, valid within 90 mins of validation for all public transport - except the airport service, which costs 8€.
EXPRESS BUS from/to airport
X93 Kifisos Intercity Bus Station - Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to the intercity bus (KTEL) terminals KIFISOS and LIOSION X95 Syntagma – Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to Syntagma Square at Athens city center. X96 Peiraias – Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to Piraeus central passenger port terminals. X97 Dafni Metro Station – Athens Airport Express. Direct Connection to DAFNI metro station. Tickets available at the Arrivals Hall; validate on board. Fare is €5 One-way travel time estimates**: X93 (65’ min), X95 (70’ min), X96 (90’ min), X97 (70’ min). For further information dial 185 or visit www.oasa.gr, www.ametro.gr. For info on trains visit www.proastiakos.gr
HELLENIC RAILWAYS ORGANIsATION Karolou 1. Tel: 210.529.7002, www.ose.gr
ATHENS METRO Line 1 (Piraeus-Kifissia) 5am-midnight, Line 2 (Agios Antonios-Agios Dimitrios) 5.30am-midnight, Line 3 (Egaleo-
Doukissis Plakentias) 5.30am-midnight Line 3 (Egaleo-Airport) 5.30am-22.52pm and 06.30am-23.30pm. The last itinerary is 2 hours later on Friday and Saturday night than it is during the week. www.ametro.gr
tram Tram itineraries are only from Syntagma to S.E.F (in Neo Faliro) and from Syntagma to Asklipio Voulas. From Monday to Thursday, trams operate from 5.am until midnight and non-stop from Friday morning to Sunday midnight. www.tramsa.gr
TAXIS from the airport cost about €20 to Syntagma Square, €25 to Piraeus, depending on traffic. Between midnight and 5am double tariff applies. Note: If you suspect that you have been overcharged, you can call the tourist police 0n 171
INTERCITY BUSES Terminal 1: Buses for Igoumenitsa, Ioannina, Kavala, Loutraki, Patra, the Peloponese, and Thessaloniki. Kifissou 100Tel: 210.512.4910-1, www.ktel.org Terminal 2: Buses for Delphi, Evia, Galaxidi, Karpenisi, Katerini, Lamia, Livadia, Thiva and Volos. Liosion 260. For KTEL itineraries all over Greece call 14505
RADIO TAXI Enotita Tel: 210.645.9000 Ermis Tel: 210.411.5200 Ikarus Tel: 210.515.2800 Kifissia Tel: 210.801.4000 Piraeus Tel: 210.418.2333 Radio Taxi Glyfada Tel: 210.960.5600 There is a booking fee of €2 added to the meter, and a €3,40 + VAT for a pre-arranged meeting. For PET taxis there is an extra charge of €5.
Sea ports Lavrio Tel: 22920.27711, 22920.22089 Piraeus Tel: 210.422.6000-4 Rafina Tel: 22940.22300, 22940.28888
Sea ports & Ferries
getting around Ferries Ferries run year-round. For information on seasonal schedules contact a travel agent or call the Port Police on 210.422.6000 From the Port of Piraeus Northern and Eastern Aegean Islands: Gates A & B Chios, Ikaria, Lesvos, Samos, Dodecanese Islands: Gate E Kalymnos, Kos Leros, Patmos, Rhodes, Saronic Gulf Islands:
Gates G & E
Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses, Crete: Gate A Aghios Nikolaos, Chania, Iraklio, Kastelli (Kissamos), Rethymno, Cycladic Islands:
Gates B, G & D
Astipalea, Folegandros, Kimolos, Kithnos, Milos, Serifos, Sifnos: Gate B Amorgos, Donoussa, Ios, Iraklia, Koufonissi, Mykonos, Santorini, Schinoussa, Syros, Tinos: Gates G&D Naxos, Paros: Gate G
Superfast Ferries Daily departures, Greece - Italy: from Patras and Igoumenitsa to Ancona and Bari Head office: 23-125 Syngrou Avenue & 3 Torva Street 11745 Athens. Tel:210.891.9000 Reservations: Athens: 210.891.9130 Thessaloniki: 2310.560.700, www.superfast.com Hellenic Seaways 210 41 99 000 www.hellenicseaways.gr, Anek Lines www.anek.gr Domestic lines: 210 41 97 420 International lines: 210 41 97 430 Minoan Lines www.minoan.gr Tel:801 11 75 000
YACHT CHARTERS A1 Yacht Trade Consortium Akti Themistokleous 8, Marina Zeas, Piraeus. Tel: 210.458.7100 Ghiolman Yachts Filellinon 7, Syntagma. Tel: 210.323.0330 Nava Yachts Loudovikou Sq. 6, Piraeus. Tel: 210.417.7728 Northstar Poseidonos 54, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.988.4000 PGA Shipping Posidonos 61, P. Faliro. Tel: 210.985.9400 Seahorse Alkyonidon 83 (Marina), Voula. Tel: 210.895.2212 Seascape Poseidonos Ave. 29, Alimos. Tel/Fax: 210.985.8301 Valef Yachts Pl. Chatzikonstanti 2, Piraeus. Tel:210.451.2010 Vernicos Yachts Posidonos 11, Kalamaki. Tel: 210.985.0122-8
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sales points For central Athens points, see i on map EASTERN SUBURBS Gerakas: Mini Market Milionis: 131, Marathonos Avenue Pallini: Bookshop Bouzas: 63, Marathonos Street Peania: Bookshop Tangopoulos: Agias Triados Street
NORTHERN SUBURBS AG.PARASKEVI: Mini Market Avarakis: 3, Themistokleous Street, Kiosk Theodoropoulos: 8, Polytechniou Street DIONYSSOS: Kiosk Michail: 4, Mitropolitou Kydonion Street EKALI: Kiosk Kyrpoglou: Vassileos Pavlou Square FILOTHEI: Kiosk Roupa: Drossopoulou Square, Super Market Kyriakopoulos: 11, M.Renieri Street, Mini Market Plati: 27, V.Georgiou Street HALANDRI: Mini Market Kyriakou: 3, Lykourgou Street, Kiosk Drizos: V. Konstantinou & V.Georgiou Street, Bookshop Evripidis: 11, V.Konstantinou Street, Mini Market Bakatsia: 46, Pendelis Avenue, Bookshop Vivliostyl: 34, Olympou Street, Mini Market Tsakiri: 76, Ag.Antoniou Street HOLARGOS: Kiosk Bekiaris: 212, Messogion Aveue, Kiosk Tambouridis: 256, Messogion Avenue KEFALARI: Kiosk Glentzis: Patr.Maximou & Apergi Square KIFISSIA: Kiosk Karadouman: 36-38, Kyriazi Street, Bookshop Gioggaras: 34, Elaion Street, Kiosk Koutsodimou: 308, Kifissias Avenue MAROUSSI: Tobacco & Gifts Tsitsilonis: 41-43, Kifissias Avenue, Tobacco & Gifts Raptis: 64, Kifissias Street, Kiosk Stefanopoulos: 46, Kifissias Street, Mini Market Kitsios: 43, Grammoou & Dionyssou Street MELISSIA: Kiosk Manikas: 75, Dimokratias Avenue, Mini Market Koufopandelis: 28, Pigis Street NEA ERYTHREA: Kiosk Anastassopoulos: 142, Harilaou Trikoupi Street, Bookshop Giannaki: 169, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street, Newsstand: 20 klm National Road Athens-Lamia, Kiosk Konidakis: Thisseos Avenue & Papadaki, Kiosk Kallergis: 130, Tatoiou Street NEO PSYCHIKO: Kiosk Katichidis: E.Makariou & Michalakopoulou Street, Kiosk Doukas: 44, Diamantidou Street, Kiosk Gionis: 25, Chr.Smyrnis & Ag.Georgiou Street PAPAGOU: Mini Market Papavassiliou: 16, Ellispontou Street
PALEO PSYCHIKO: Kiosk Kyriakou: Solomou Square, Kiosk Gialama: Efkalypton Square, Kiosk Polydoros: Kifissias & Ag.Dimitriou Street, Kiosk Kalogeropoulos: V. GeorgiouSquare, Kiosk Kontabasis: 2, Amaryllidos & V. Pavlou Street, Kiosk Kalfagian: V. Georgiou B’ 11 POLITIA: Kiosk Vovlas: Politia Square VRILISSIA: Kiosk Theodoropoulou: 5, Analypsi Square, Kiosk Aggelopoulos: Pendelis Avenue & Omirou, Bookshop Karystinaiou: 69, Alefiou Street
SOUTHERN SUBURBS GLYFADA: Kiosk Tamourantzis: 3, Metaxa & Maragou Street, Kiosk Tsakanikas: 3, Lambraki Street, Kiosk Mavraki: Pandoras & Ioanni Metaxa, Kiosk Adamopoulos: 20, Ioanni Metaxa Street, Kiosk Papadakou: 7, Ioanni Metaxa Street, Kiosk Haikal: 1, Ioanni Metaxa & Fivis Street, Kiosk Bolota: Gounari & Iraklitou Street, Kiosk Bellou: 5, Saki Karagiorga Street, Mini Market Agiokatsikos: 24, Ilias Street HELLINIKO: NewsStand: 43-47, Vouliagmenis Avenue ILIOUPOLIS: Super Market Kokossis: 5, Glastonos Street LAGONISI: Kiosk Vassiliadis: 37,5 klm Athinon-Souniou Avenue NEA SMYRNI: Kiosk Manoussos: 28, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street VARKIZA: Kiosk Paraskevopoulou: Varkiza Square VOULA: Kiosk Leontopoulos: 12, Sokratous Street, Mini Market Pournara: 33, Pringipos Petrou Street, Kiosk Christopoulou: V. Pavlou & Ag. Ioanni Street VOULIAGMENI: Kiosk Andrioti: Armonias Square, Kiosk Chryssikos: 1, Ermou Street, Kiosk Kylitis: 14, Thisseos Street PALEO FALIRO: Kiosk Kombogianni: 1, Ag. Alexandrou Street, Kiosk Kapetanou: 24, Achilleos Street, Mini Market Nikouli: 9, Pliadon Street, Tobacco & Gifts Berekos: 1, Possidnos Avenue & Moraitini Street PIRAEUS: Hand Delivery Telstar: 57, Akti Miaouli, Tourist Chop Siatras: 46, Akti Koumoundourou Street, Kiosk Samarogiannis: 7, Merarhias B’Street, Kiosk Siaho: Akti Moutsopoulou (Kanari Square), Kiosk Kentros: 73, Iroon Polytechniou Street, Kiosk Fotis: 1, Loudovikou Street, Kiosk Spalas: 111, Karaiskou Street, Newsstand: Railway Station Loudovikou Square
www.mysephora.gr
For central Athens stores, see on map ASPROPIRGOS Filis 100 & Bouboulinas, Tel: 210.558.0989 ERMOU Ermou 24 Tel: 210. 331.3167 & 325.7744 KALLITHEA Thisseos & Davaki, Tel: 210.956.5959 - 956.5446 KIFISSIA Kassaveti 6, Tel: 210.623.1741 & 623.1742 KORYDALLOS Taxiarhon 110A, Tel: 210.569.5270 569.5998 THE MALL, Notios Paradromos Attikis Odou, Tel: 210.630.0125 & 630.0126 AVENUE Kifissias 41-45, Tel: 210.610.9739 & 610.9740
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GOLDEN HALL Kifissias Av. 37A & Sp. Louis, Tel: 210.683.7343 PANGRATI Ymittou 110 & Hremonidou, Tel: 210.751.8005 GLYFADA A. Metaxa 33-35, Tel: 210. 894.3378 & 894.5884 KOLONAKI Milioni 2, Tel: 210. 361.2666 & 362.9925 NEA MAKRI Marathonos Av. 117, Tel: 229.409.9661 PERISTERI Ethnikis Antistaseos 12, Tel: 210. 571.0755 PETROU RALLI Petrou Ralli 97, Tel: 210. 569.6596 & 569.7316 PIKERMI 21oklm. Marathonos Av., Tel: 210. 603.9987 PSYCHIKO Kifissias 210, Tel: 210. 677.5527 & 674.0178 VRILISSIA Pentelis Av. 72, Tel: 210. 810.1971 & 810.1972
city map
Map courtesy of Emvelia Publications
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Insider pet guide Vets • Alouros: Boutique vet for cats only. Specified feline care includes a gas anaesthetic, from
which cats come round almost immediately with fewer side effects than the injection cocktail. Paleo Faliro. Tel: 210 985 4262 • Pet World: Panos Marafelias is a specialised wildlife vet,working with wild bird hospitals, but he is also an experienced diagnostician for companion animals. Zografou. Tel: 210 778 2981 • Attiko Nosokomeio Zoon and Pikermi Animal Clinic: These 24-hour vet clinics are a lifeline for animal victims of poisoning and traffic accidents. The prices are high, but they offer state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Best for emergencies only. • Attico Nosokomeio Zoon (Paiania): tel 210 664 0552, www.attikovet.gr • Pikermi Animal Clinic (Pikermi): tel 210 603 80223, www.vetnet.gr • Christos Ktenas: Christos and his partner vet are caring and knowledgeable, and make special discounts for stray animal treatment. Nea Erythrea. Tel 210 620 2150 • Popi Marouli: Is hugely experienced with stray cats in particular, having participated in numerous cat-sterilisation programmes. Clinics in Kolonaki & Maroussi. Tel: 210 721 3109/210 805 1542 • Chrisa Simou: Graduated from Edinburgh Veterinary University, specialized in dermatology. Considerate and thorough vet, with modest rates. Mets-Pangrati. Tel 210 922 1123.
Petsitters kennels • Le Chat Noir: Petsitters International-registered Brenda-Lee Mahoney petsits in your home in the northern suburbs of Athens. Tel: 6972 271447
• Petsit.gr: Katerina offers petsitting around Athens, call for more details 6987 018121 • Animal Hotel.gr: Kennels/cattery near the airport. Tel: 6973 359728. • ILoveDogs.gr : Kennels at Varibombi. Tel 210 24 33334 or 6977 687840 • Home-from-home for a few sociable, neutered & vaccinated dogs at a time, complete with dog-pool for summer. Koropi. Tel: 6976 315180
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Pet-shops • Bark Avenue: Excellent selection of items for dogs and cats, to suit every
need and desire, and very helpful staff. Kifissias 206, Neo Psychico. Tel 210 677 1001 • San to Skylo Me Tin Gata: Tiny shop behind the Kallimarmaro jam-packed with goodies for your pets. Archimidous 15, Mets. Tel: 210 756 2493 • Pet Net: Good variety of pet-food, beds, leads, treats etc. Xenokratous 48, Kolonaki. Tel 210 729 0544 Also branches in Holargos, Kifissia, see www. petnet.gr
Pet taxis • Agis Pet Taxi: 6972 020205 • Yellow Pet Taxi: 6944 770077 • TaxiBeat – upload the app and search
for nearby taxis; those which accept pets are marked with a paw print
Animal welfare NGOs • Hellenic Animal Welfare Society (Filozoiki): Purpose-built kennels at Koropi, subsidized neutering for pets, dogs and cats for adoption. Tel 210 602 0202.
• SPAZ Society for the Protection of Stray Animals: Energetic team helping people to help
animals in the southern suburbs of Athens. Stray neutering programmes, veterinary care and education. www.spazgreece.gr • Adespotologio: Informal group of young volunteers caring for stray dogs and cats, through neutering, veterinary care and adoption. www.adespotologio.gr • Stray Life: Activities and events to raise awareness about animals and their welfare, and active adoption programmes. www.stray-life.gr • Friends of Animals, Nea Filadelphia: They operate a shelter for the stray/abandoned dogs of Nea Filadelphia, run education programmes for children, and try to neuter and rehome as many dogs (and cats) from the area as possible. www.friendsofanimals-nf.com • Nine Lives Greece: Active network of volunteers dedicated to helping stray cats through veterinary care, neutering, feeding and adoption. www.ninelivesgreece.com
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Passion for cinema: The Thessaloniki Film Archives present one more circle of classic movies at the Film Museum and pays tribute to all-time European classics from 7 to 10 February. The tribute includes four movies by four great directors, who are considered as benchmarks of European cinema: A bout de souffle by JeanLuc Godard (France 1960), Hiroshima, mon amour by Alain Resnais (France – Japan, 1959), Covek nije tica by Dusan Makavejev (Yugoslavia, 1965) and Ultimo tango a Parigi by Bernardo Bertolucci (France - Italy, 1972). For more information, visit www.filmfestival.gr.
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