Dinning out before out trip!


Two days before our trip to Qatar I was searching the net to find an authentic Greek Mezedopoleio (non touristic) to dine with my husband before leaving the country for our short holidays in Doha . I wanted to spot the right restaurant and enjoy some nice Greek meze and have some fine quality of wine because I knew that wine which I love is not on offer to the majority of restaurants in Qatar.

I came across 'Trikyklo' through TripAdvisor and after having a look on the restaurant's website instantly I got the feeling that this is exactly the place I am looking for –a restaurant with character and rich quality of amazing 'meze’ -quite different from the rest in Athens.

What attracted me most was the sentence below that I spotted on their website: "Oti trote trome, oti pinete pinoume" which means that whatever you eat or drink here we have as well". What a pity that the website is only written in Greek!

In one or two reviews I noticed that a few persons stated that the restaurant is not that easily spotted but if you really have a look on the Google map on the restaurant’s site it is very easily found . We came here by taxi and from the Lycabettus neighbourhoods it cost us 5 euros. Another alternative is to come off at the Station of Agios Ioannis using the Metro taking the "Pytheou Exit”. It is situated next to the park of the hill of Lambraki on the pedestrian road of Pytheou Street in a newly renovated classical two storey building of 1931. When you come you will notice that the location is unique because there are no cars passing by, no exhaust fumes or noise.

The rain that kept falling earlier during the day cleared away any dust and it was so pleasing to sit outside and dine by the porch under the huge pine tree that stands in a dominant position. The owners have created a hole through the roof of the porch to protect the pine tree and let it grow and become huge and beautiful as it is. The interior of this classical building has a beautiful ambience and there are times when different events take place, friends who are musicians drop by and the whole place is turned to a huge party with all guests participating. For up-coming events guests should have a look on the newsletter of the restaurant.

Of course the above I mentioned is nothing compared to what there is to taste out here. You see, there are more than 50 different meze to choose from including Sea food. What counts to me of course is the whole package: the superb service, the quality of food and drinks and the people who run this business that make it so exceptional and unique in is kind . Music theme nights and interesting happenings take place quite often and on Sunday noon live music accompanies lunch outings. The owners Panayiotis and Maria are devoted enthusiasts of good food and drink and they want to share all this with friends and customers. For me they are professionals with capital letters. In all, it is a restaurant with character exactly what I was dreaming to find and I am so happy that I came across it.

  

Referring now to the quality of food and wine….it is for me the best. Everything we had was so tasty and fresh. We were served some cold “tsichoudia” at first –coming directly from Crete, as a welcoming drink from the owners. Tsichoudia (raki) was so good that for a moment I thought to accompany my food with this but the owner suggested that I should by all means taste their wine as well. Panayiotis stated that their wines come from local small producers and contain no chemicals at all so I was curious to taste . Honestly speaking the wine we had was so fine that we bought one bottle to carry at home.

When here, don’t miss the farmer’s salad to start your meal. The small portion costs 3.40 – the normal 5.60. Try for sure the ‘melintzanosalata’ 1.90 and 3.20 the normal portion. (Oven cooked aubergine) it was beyond my expectations, so tasty that I asked for a second portion.

The four pieces of filled with cheese grilled mushrooms are also delicious   and they cost 5.50 euros. Try the very popular ‘apaki’ dish coming from Crete if you are after meat. It is smoked grilled pork and sausage. The portion costs 6.70. My husband loved it because he loves meat so much. Don’t miss tasting ‘Kamaki’ another popular dish here which is again brought on a stick. Each stick costs 2.20 euros.  

We also had the Linguini -courgette for 6.00 worth tasting.

Half a kilo of wine brought in a carafe costs 3 .50 euros while a glass of this kind of wine costs 2 euros.

Try the amazing Ayioritiko Mavrodafni (Cabernet Sauvignon) distilled in Patras, coming from Achaia with no preservatives at all. I am glad that I have a bottle of this wine in my wine collection now. If I am not mistaken it is the same wine or similar to the one I mentioned above, served in a carafe.

For dessert we had “bourekakia” -pastry with honey and almonds and a chocholate and biscuit dessert which also had a fine taste. Ask for ‘rakomelo’ coming from Amorgos to accompany your desserts.

The truth is that Trikyklo is by now included in my list of the best authentic Greek meze restaurants in Athens…if not the very first on my list. I have already urged several friends to visit it, and I found myself referring to it and urging the Greek people of the “Mykonos” Restaurant in Doha to visit it and they assured me that they will when they come to Athens next time .

The restaurant’s fresh ingredients, the outstanding service, the fine wine and drinks offered here makes it a ‘Must Visit’ Restaurant for lunch or dinner, for a romantic outing or a party friends’ gathering.

So, in all I highly recommend it to all those who are after high quality food and drink. I am positive that it will become your favourite hang-out spot. It has certainly become mine after this first visit. The variety of Greek dishes is such that it will please the most demanding customer.

We can’t wait to return and besides all the above, I have to admit that we found it reasonably priced.

Keep the good work up guys and don’t spoil the quality or change anything out there. You are the best in the market for what you offer. See you soon!