Greek sushi master Antonis Drakoularakos, owner of Athens restaurant Sushimou, was named among the world’s 100 top chefs at the award ceremony of the first Chefs World Summit this year!

The 37-year-old physicist-turned-chef came in last on the list that places him among the ranks of the legendary Alain Passard (first place) of L’Arpege in Paris and Martin Berasategui (second place) of the eponymous eatery in Lasarte Oria, Spain.

To read this article in full, please visit: Ekathimerini

Oh the weather outside is frightful… So the song goes, and so the season brings! Winter doesn’t seem to scare off most Athenians from their nighttime fun. Let’s face it, even the coldest day in Athens is like a warm spring breeze in more northerly climates. But with decidedly chilly winter temperatures outside and Christmas around the corner, the best weekend plan is to phone a friend and plan a night out in a warm and cozy place…

We started our evening at Sowl in Thiseio. I’ve been here a few times, and even written about it in this space. Sowl is a restaurant-bar-art space in the old Stavlos space that used to house the stables of King Otto in the 19th century. It’s a cool, interesting space, with a newly refined menu that focuses on great Latin American-style food, everything from gourmet tacos to ceviche – with lots in between. A great Greek and international wine list, friendly service, DJ-led creative music soundtrack - definitely a cut above. The place on Saturday was almost fully reserved, but we managed to slip into a couple spots at the bar. When you’ve had your fill of tavernas, and have a couple extra euros to spend on something ‘different’, Sowl is worth a visit. Check out their site and Facebook page for events and gallery exhibits!

By the time our wine glasses had run dry, we had received an invite to meet another group of friends at Riza Riza in Koukaki. It was a last-minute birthday get together, and this is a newish place in the area. Now, let’s be clear: to walk from Thiseio to Koukaki should take between 10 and 15 minutes. On this particular Saturday night, we decided to drive over in my friend’s car. The drive over took about 5 minutes. The hunt for parking in Koukaki’s winding streets took – no exaggeration – 35 minutes! What started as an attempt to save some time ended up as an exercise in patience. I know I know – how long have I lived here?? But seriously, I think I had forgotten…

Frustrated and fully convinced of my decision to not own a car in Athens, we finally arrived at Riza Riza and joined our friends. Riza Riza is a casual, happening bar, with indoor/outdoor seating, extended seating in the back, a modern Greek styling and a hip attitude. It was really buzzing that night, and felt like a warm neighbourhood ‘local’. This is an all-day bar/café, with a small food menu, a great Greek-inspired cocktail list. Best feature for a cold winter’s night: hot winter cocktails like rakomelo and oinomelo. Exactly what the doctor ordered.

Lesson #1: Don’t let the cold stop you from enjoying a night out!

Lesson #2: Leave the car at home.

Until next week,

Jack

p.s. for those of you yet to explore the Koukaki district – here’s a great place to start: http://koukaki.gr/

Sowl
Iraklidon 10, Thiseio
Website
Facebook

Riza Riza
Drakou 19, Koukaki
Facebook

The National Observatory of Athens on Wednesday announced the continuation of its collaboration with the “National Geographic” for the observation of Mars through telescopes, which will be used in the “Mars” documentary series.

At the Athens Observatory Visitor’s center, guests can observe the sky using the historic Doridis telescope on the Pnyx Hill, as well as through two portable telescopes that are available for the public, provided weather conditions allow.

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

The holidays are an exciting time to try new restaurants and explore more of Athens! Here is a list of 7 new restaurants that have opened (or will open very soon!) in Athens. 

Vasilainas

Address: 13 Vrasida, Piraeus
Telephone: 693 720 0217
Website

The historical restaurant of Piraeus is now opening its doors in Athens on Vrasidas Street just behind the Hilton Hotel. The place will soon be ready and we will see the impressive roof (a grid of wine bottles with optical fibers), the results of the partnership of three talented young chefs, Manos Garnelis, Dimos Balopoulos and Nikos Vlachakis. Fish and meat will coexist on the new menu, with emphasis given to the fish menu. To get an idea, the menu will include scabecheoctopus, a grilled with mashed chickpea soup, spicy tomato salad, pasta with shrimp, smoked tomato and basil, and grilled grouper with mashed beetroot.

Ommu

 

Omu, which means parrot in Japanese, is the old 'Oozora' in Kifissia. The upper bar will gain a new style making an autonomous Bar-Restaurant. Gourmet streetfood by George Venieris, cocktails and "lives" that are not very common in Kifissia, give a different tone to this new concept. The taste proposals will include a not so clean cut ceviche and sashimi, hot dogs, burgers with caramelized buns, and funky pizzas including duckgonzola with duck and gorgonzola.

Food Mafia Sin City

 

Adress: Βουκουρεστίου 4
Telephone: 210 324 8062
Website

Food Mafia, which used to be in Glyfada, is now opening during the first week of December at Voukourestiou 4 in Athens. In cooperation with the pre-existing ground floor of the interwar building V4, Food Mafia Sin City invites people to taste Elias Skoulas style. At noon during the lunch menu, there will be a snack attack menu, inspired by his favorite American chef canteens. Customers must  try Papusas, corn pies of El Salvador and toast with foie gras and grilled peaches! The menu has the aesthetic of a cult 70's American magazine.

Big Kahuna

 

Address: 43 Salaminos St., Kerameikos

Telephone: 693 699 8428
Website

While Big Kahuna by Stefanos Stefanidis and Dimitris Balian is being prepared to open its doors, imagine a warehouse-workshop with a huge garage door, which will open and put you in a beach bar interior: floor like sand, tables in Caribbean style and  exotic plants. At Big Kahuna, the food is exotic with streetfood Hai materials. You may find ramen and fried rice in banana to Wagyu shark!

Ble Alepou Papantonis

 

Address: Kifissias Av. 158 & Thomas Economou 2, New Psychiko

Bright & simple is how the next business step by Kostas Papantonis is going to be called after Prime Grill, which closes its doors this year after several years of operation. The new project will open this December and will a have bar-restaurant character, placing emphasis on wine with several Greek and foreign labels.

Ventiri

The new grill that is currently being prepared by the team of Agora Select, is likely to open its doors over the holidays. In its culinary choices, you will may find pies in foil like the Moscow chicken pie with smoked cheese and colorful peppers, meat pie with ground beef, vegetables and mint, all of which are baked in the oven. You can find a wide variety of dishes from bisteka Fiorentina to black pig hot dogs with caramelized onions and Black Angus skirt.

Steak Frites

 

Address: Φιλελλήνων 18
Telephone: 215 500 3007
Website

At Steak Frites by ToyBox Legends, which will open in a neoclassical building on Filellinon street, the kitchen run by Kostas Tsigka suggests culinary proposals that complement pasta, risotto and lunchtime steak sandwiches.

Originally posted on athinorma.gr
Translated by XpatAthens

Princeton University's tradition of deep commitment to the humanities has long been connected to Greece and Hellenic culture, from antiquity to the present. This November 2016, the University added a formal home base for Princeton scholars in Greece with the opening of the Princeton University Athens Center for Research and Hellenic Studies.

‘This is the first time Princeton University has opened a research and scholarship center anywhere outside of the United States,’ said Eisgruber, Class of 1983. Acknowledging the ‘extraordinary generosity and vision’ of Seeger's gifts and the gifts of many alumni attending the reception, Eisgruber said that one of the reasons the University chose to establish the center in Athens is Princeton's ‘extraordinary humanistic tradition that finds its home here in Athens and in Greece.’

The center — located in the Stanley J. Seeger '52 House, a 1930s-era townhouse in downtown Athens renovated by Nasos Antachopoulos and Yannis Younis of Athens-based A6Architects — features conference facilities, a seminar room, offices, study spaces, informal common areas and a terrace with a view of the Parthenon in the distance. Situated down the street from Aristotle's Lyceum in a historic, diverse neighborhood, the center is close to libraries, museums and archaeological sites.

To read this article in full, please visit: Princeton University

Explore the museum without a home in Athens, discover a new restaurant, and learn how to make traditional Greek custard pie!

 

 

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Join the cause with initiatives and NPO's in Athens who are helping refugees. Athens Hotel Association will promote sustainable tourism, Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George recognized as best hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, and Greece remains the leading ship-owning country in the world!

 

 

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Stay informed wit these articles about the new plastic bag charge, SNF provided funding for 2 theatre’s to reopen, Christmas Bazaar’s in Athens, and general shopping hours!

 

 

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Discover the many different faces of Greece from filmmakers to musicians to bloggers with these interesting articles and interviews!

 

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter!

This old district in the heart of Athens, Greece near Monastiraki, has been enjoying a new breath of fresh air. Psirri is considered the low-key area to enjoy a night with friends! Here are a few of The Culture Trip’s favorite bars.

Industrial decor, great music, a relaxed vibe, and an array of great drinks and cocktails is what you get in Barrett. This newcomer in Psirri is a great place for late-morning coffee and homemade sweets or for after-work drinks with friends. Things get serious at night with various guest DJ sets exploring jazz, soul, and indie rock tunes. All in all, Barrett is the cool hangout spot we were all looking for in the capital city.

Address: Protogenous 11

Telephone: 210 321 8373
Website

With its resolutely alternative vibe, and its vast array of Russian beers, Cantina Social is a small joint with a minimalist interior, tasty cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere. The bar plays mostly indie music but will spontaneously revisit dance, Latin, and reggae hits. Most nights, black-and-white movies are projected onto the surrounding apartment buildings. The bar also hosts several exhibitions. If you want to give your nights out some edge, you know where to go.

Address: 6 Leokoriou

Telephone: 210 325 1668
Website

This new space is an all-day cafe/bar offering breakfast, lunch, and brunch options as well as extensive drink options at night. These include straight alcohols, cool cocktails, beers, and wine. The cafe is located on the ground floor of the Concierge Athens, which rents apartments and studios for long and short stays in the city. With its large doors always open, there is no doubt the Concierge Athens Café is a friendly and welcoming bar where residents and clients alike feel at home. Grab your favorite book and spend the afternoon there.

Address: 8 Agias Theklas

Telephone: 213 036 9266
Website

To read this article in full, please visit: The Culture Trip