..was a quiet one – consumed with work and running around for this or that… paying bills and wondering why they seem higher than normal… I almost believe that spring is around the corner. The sun appears more and more and the sky is a deeper blue. I must say that I felt a hint of something positive – from “Give Greece a Chance” printed all over the newspapers of Europe, to a charity run last weekend, to one or two optimistic reports on Greece amidst the usual doom & gloom.
And then I found Furin Kazan. I say ‘found’, but obviously so had the other seven people waiting in line for the jam-packed Syntagma restaurant. It’s small, it’s busy, it’s buzzing. It’s a no-fuss, casual Japanese/sushi restaurant – and apparently has been there for 35yrs. My friend thought ahead and reserved a table. Wait-staff is a mix of Greek and expat, speaking several languages. They move fast, scanning tables for signs of hunger. The space itself is very ‘sushi international’ – could be any small sushi restaurant in any city – nothing fancy, basic and clean. But the place is jumping – tables are packed, the sounds of voices fills the air, the line-up outside doesn’t subside. The menu is familiar, and my sushi is good. Everything is on fast-forward. And for 90 minutes, I’m not in Athens, but rather in that global-neutral zone known as the sushi restaurant, and it feels good. I wonder if their delivery service has the same effect…
Furin Kazan
Appollonos 2 (below Syntagma Square)
210-322-9170
www.furin-kazan.com
See you next week,
Jack
In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…
Taverna Kalokerinos
Kekropos 10, Athens 10558
Tel: +3 (210) 3232054
Fax: +3 (210) 3232054
E-mail: info@kalokerinos.gr
For their website: http://www.kalokerinos.gr/
Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!
The power of nature at the man’s service… Aidipsos is probably the most famous spa-town in Greece! This cute little town is situated in Northern Evia and is connected to the mainland by ferry from Arkitsa, in Fthiotida. Evia can be reached easily also by car, bus or train from Attica through the Cable Bridge. The healing properties of Aidipsos thermal springs have been known since ancient times and are actually mentioned in the scripts of Plutarch, Strabo and Aristotle.
According to mythology, the precious water flowed for the very first time when Hephaestus beat the land with his hammer. It was a favour to goddess Athena, who believed that the thermal springs would keep Hercules healthy and powerful! During the Roman times, emperors and commanders frequented the place while centuries later the springs attracted important personalities, such as Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo and Maria Kallas.
A plethora of neoclassical mansions, lush plane trees and picturesque traditional cafes and restaurants envelop the town with a unique nostalgic atmosphere. In the hydrotherapy centre of the Greek National Tourism Organisation the visitor has the opportunity to gaze at an archaeological collection comprising finds from the excavations that took place in the area. Other archaeological sites around Aidipsos, such as the Sylla Cave, have re-opened inviting the public to discover them.
A geological miracle
The springs of Aidipsos are more than 80. The composition of the waters in combination with their high temperature is particularly beneficial for the human body. Archaeological finds indicate that the point from which the waters flow had been first spotted during Prehistoric times. The centuries-old geological and paleontological history of the area is also proved by a spot found where a mammal fossil is drawn. The springs are known anyway for 20.000 years now.
The temperature of the waters ranges from 28οC to 86οC. The waters are rich in magnesium, calcium and iron while their properties are extremely healing. The springs are scattered in various points of the city and through canals supply with water all hydrotherapy centres of the area.
To read more, please go to visitgreece.gr
Stuffed vegetables are a staple of the summer season and this version of Kolokithia Yemista (koh-loh-KEETH-yah yeh-mee-STAH) or Stuffed Zucchini is a great way to enjoy the bounty.The zucchini are hollowed and stuffed with a savory meat filling and topped with a creamy béchamel sauce that bakes up to a nice golden crust.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
• about 4 – 5 large zucchini (yellow or green)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1kilo ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp. dried mint
• 2 cups fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced (canned if necessary)
• 1 cup grated Kefalotyri cheese (substitute Pecorino Romano), divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the béchamel:
• 1/4 cup butter (4 tbsp.)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk, warmed
• 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
• pinch of nutmeg
To read more, please visit greekfood.about.com
By Lynn Livanos Athan
