Athens best new restaurants and bar openings
I Sam ta ehi me lathos agori
80 Leonidou & Salaminos Str., Keramikos, Athens, Τ. 210 5222999
By Titi Velopoulou, Photos: Kostas Kapareliotis
VIRAL
“Sam dates the wrong boy” is a name which seems like a movie title, but in reality, it is the title of a book which still remains unfinished. We expected a woman, Sam, to welcome us but instead we found two boys (Andreas and Manolis) neither of whom were the wrong boy! Because this alternative Greek bistro in Keramikos is doing something very correctly since its launch last October as people are truly loving it. Comfort space with few indoor and outdoor tables on the urban walkway, maintaining the industrial past of the building adding joyful touches to it such as a wall with mirror-frames, collagesand playful drawings similar to those of a book. As for its menu, this is a field where Sam particularly emphasizes on serving honest quality food. Greek traditional recipes with some French influences are prepared by the hands of chef Tasos Theotokis giving them a modern twist. From the starters, we distinguished the smoked eggplant salad (a recipe from Mount Athos), the manoura cheese from Sifnos with fried eggs, the green salad with goat cheese, while amongst the best sellers are the beef cheeks, the liver, snails soté and chicken haunches, as well as inspired suggestions for the seafood lovers with top choices being the octopus stew with onions and the grilled opened fish, a recipe from Paros. From €12. Daily (except Mondays) 18:00-01:00 (the kitchen) & weekends 12:00-01:00.
Must try
• The risotto of the day.
• The handmade desserts.
• The wide range of delicious soups
during winter!
M8
8 Milioni Str., Kolonaki, Athens, Τ. 210 3643388, www.m8-athens.com
If last year it managed to make an impressive first appearance, this year it has established its place in the gold list of the most popular hangouts in the city and, in fact, in one of the most privileged walkways. The M8 preserves its all day philosophy, set on the background of a renovated and very elegant space with island atmosphere, greatly upgraded by blue tones and modern luxurious decoration. Seated inside or outside, with a view of the people’s stroll, in the morning we get to wake up with aromatic coffees and 3 healthy breakfast options (at the fair price of €7), the fitness, the traditional and the classic, which deliciously satisfy our nutritional needs while boosting uswith energy. In the afternoon, the delight turns over to a creative Mediterranean cuisine by the talented chef Akis Klonaris. Must taste, the fresh salmon teriyaki, the quinoa salad with passion fruit and the divine banoffee or the lime pie. The bar is set exceptionally high with the wine list consisting of wine from the Greek, the Spanish and the German vineyard. As time passes by, music and people alternate, the lighting gets dimmed down and the atmosphere becomes ideal for an after office signature cocktail from the brand new list or a beer (here you will find German beers hard to findelsewhere), accompanied by irresistible platters of German sausages, seafood, cold cuts and cheese.
Highlights
• The thematic menu (consisting of an appetizer, a main dish, a dessert and a drink), different every month.
• The privileged location which, despite being in the heart of Kolonaki, is also ideal for more quiet gatherings.
• The parties and the themed nights, hosted from time to time.
Nixon
53 Skoufa Str. & Omirou Str., Τ. 210 3462077, www.nixon.gr
By Titi Velopoulou, Photos: Giannis Papargyris
Its name is related to a very successful recipe of entertainment, as it has been one of the most elegant bars of Athens and achieved to transform a whole area into a gathering spot. This April, Nixon has moved to the corner of Skoufa and Omirou Streets in Kolonaki. Although smaller, it brought along its theatrical style from the old hangout, such as the furniture and the leather couches, which have been slightly renewed, and has lamps created from crystals of the impressive chandelier. Its small inspired card has been curated by Thanasis Tsironikos to satisfy all the culinary requests emphasizing on seafood (such as tuna sashimi and octopus risotto, as well as “lahanontolmades”, rice wrapped in cabbage with fresh fish). As for its famous brunch menu, apart from the all-time classic Nixon burger, it offers dishes such as asparagus with apaki meat and poached egg and Scandinavian eggs! All accompanied by jazz, funk and soul music… Daily from 10:00 (brunch 11:00-19:00).
Top secret
The “window” on the side, which serves street food! Its specialty is the rice with vegetables and egg (18:00-01:00).
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