The beautiful spring (summer?!) weather makes us all want to be outside. And that’s exactly where I was for most of the weekend. I decided to jump on my bicycle on Saturday and ‘just go’ – starting from Thiseio and braving the tough road to Piraeus, via Pireos Street, and back again. This took me a couple hours, and if I’m being honest, the roads were far less ‘tough’ than expected. I have the strong impression that Athens drivers have become very familiar and accommodating to cyclists. I can imagine what they’re saying behind their windows – but at least they notice the bikes and swerve around us. I even read that the City of Athens is planning to introduce bike rental stations in a few spots around the city. This may turn into a bike city yet!
Later in the evening I ventured out with some friends to the Museum of Cycladic Art for their (free!) street party. This was an event to promote the museum on the International Museum Day – they had various special events during the day, and closed down the street in the evening – with a DJ, free beer and a great vibe…
On Sunday a couple of us decided to meet for a late lunch. The requirements were ‘cheap & cheerful’ and ‘not a taverna’. We headed to the neighbourhood around Syntagma, towards Plaka, and wandered around with the usual ‘What about here? What about there?’ We settled on a vegetarian restaurant called Avocado. Now, I'm no vegetarian, so I wasn’t convinced at first. But I was certainly convinced afterwards. The food is delicious, the prices are right, the menu is incredibly varied – it never occurred to me that pizza could be classified as vegetarian – and the service was also really good. Refreshing. And lucky for those of us who live in the centre – they deliver.
These easy weekends seem to be few and far between lately – but what a great treat when one comes your way…
Until next week,
Jack
Museum of Cycladic Art
Neofytou Douka 4
www.cycladic.gr
Avocado
Nikis 30
www.avocadoathens.com
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...
Oikeio (pronounced Ikio) is one of the most popular restaurants in Kolonaki, and it is usually necessary to book in advance. Based on the philosophy of high quality ingredients, and authentic Greek recipes prepared with attention to every detail, Oikeio has been awarded the Bib Gourmand prize by Michelin Guide for the best quality/price and also by the Greek Tourist Organization for the quality of the Greek cuisine.
The menu is based exclusively on fresh ingredients, organic olive oil and local products and is renewed daily. This cozy and intimate locale attracts many Athenians and visitors, who feel at home in the tastefully decorated spaces.
To read more, please visit 10best.com
By Nelly Paraskevopoulou
Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!
Internationally-acclaimed Greek singer Demis Roussos died early morning on Sunday January 25, 2015. Artemios “Demis” Ventouris Roussos was born June 15, 1946 and had international hit records as a solo performer in the 1970s after having been a member of Aphrodite’s Child, a progressive rock group that also included Vangelis. He has sold over 60 million albums worldwide.
Roussos was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, in a family where his father George (engineer Yorgos Roussos) was Greek and mother Nelly Mazloum was Egyptian of Italian origin. His parents lost their possessions during the Suez Crisis and consequently decided to move to Greece.
After his family settled in Greece, Roussos participated in various music bands, starting with The Idols at the age of 17 years.
He became widely known in 1968 with the band Aphrodite’s Child, as a vocalist and later as the bassist. His distinctive vocal style launched the international career of the band, especially after his participation in their “666” album.
To read more, please visit greekreporter.com
By Ioanna Zikakou
