After breakfast today I go out for a stroll for some pictures. I go to the Tourist information office which is almost opposite the hotel I am staying and get the latest brochures to update my Guides. I had been walking for more than 2 hours before getting home at Mum's even though it was a chilly morning but I cannot complain….for me it is fun to walk especially if this walk is in the city I love so much.
Tonight is the night that I am taking my sister out for dinner . I missed the Cypriot mezze and the two of us will try -Kira Giorgena’s cuisine. It is a very popular Cypriot tavern in Larnaca. The photos on the walls prove that it is such because I see several VIP visitors, politicians, pop singers and stars that have dined here even for once.
See below how I commented on our visit and the food if you are interested to try its cuisine.

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Authentic Cypriot Cuisine, - Impeccable Service!

When I started searching for restaurants in Larnaca much before my trip I asked friends who live here to point out three or four nice ones and this time on my new list among other names it was that of Kira Georgena tavern. This search is compulsory for me and I do it every time I fly to the island as I want to enrich my Travel Guides with new names and new businesses. It does not necessarily mean that I search for the most expensive each time, but I am out for the best depending on the kind of restaurant or tavern it is and what it has to offer .

I remembered the name instantly as I come from Larnaca myself and I was curious to see how this small local tavern has grown into a popular restaurant in the years. The new location is central and all around it there is a big parking lot.

The restaurant was almost full when we got there at 8:00 pm and people kept coming in even at 10:00 pm. It was freezing cold outside but the moment we stepped in we felt warm not only because it was warm inside but the interior was more than what I expected to find. I felt the warm Cypriot hospitality the moment I entered!

Tony who is the owner is a naturalist himself and depending on the season he is out hunting for birds and rabbits, he picks wild mushrooms, snails, or wild asparagus for his cuisine. This season he is out for wild mushrooms that he also sells fresh as they are to his customers or they order to have them cooked there . I was delighted to see the fresh wild mushrooms on display upon entering!

Pictures of the different personalities who visited the restaurant decorate the wall and they are all over …a bit over-packed I can say but the atmosphere is that of a real Cypriot tavern. It was cosy and nice and it really gives the picture of the traditional Cypriot tavern.

We tried the big selection of Cypriot 'meze’ which varies depending on the season and this is very positive for customers. In this way it is never tiring and depending on the time you go there is always something new. ‘Meze’ is not only for those fond of meat but there are many vegetarian dishes to choose from as well. The meze variety is rich and the small plates keep coming and coming.

I was impressed with the small home made bread which was nicely presented and brought hot straight from the oven but we had Arabic pita and also grilled sliced bread sprinkled with oregano, salt and virgin olive oil .

The meze costs 17 euros per person but you cannot have it if you are on your own. It has to be at least two to order it. If you are four or five you can ask for meze for three or two …but you have to let the people know at the time you order because if you just order ‘meze’ they will count the number of persons you are and bring you accordingly. You see, the small plates keep coming and the food is lots!

We accompanied our meal with a bottle of the house’s dry red wine for 13.50 euros.

Some of the different plates we had were tzatziki, kebab, sheftalia, snails, oven cooked black olives and eggs (I had them in my life for the first time) halloumi cheese,fried courgette, several green salads, humus, staffed with cheese red capsicum, pasta, Cypriot sausages, kleftiko, lountza, yoghurt, tyrokafteri, fetta cheese with fresh grounded tomato topping, afelia and many more that I cannot remember . Everything had the authentic taste that I expected.

The fresh grilled mushrooms we had were extra and were not included in the meze. The 300 grams cost 12euros. Grilled lamp chops as a main dish cost 12.50 and they are accompanied with potatoes and veggies.

A Tip: Keep some space in your stomach for dessert. It came as a surprise to me because I would expect it to be either fruit or dessert. We could also have some coffee if we wished but we did not. What we had were 4 different plates with four different freshly cut seasonal fruit, loukoumades (Greek donuts with honey) a small bowl of cherry dessert in syrup, and another plate with 4 other kinds of homemade desserts. What a feast for somebody who has a sweet tooth!!

The service was impeccable even if the restaurant was full by 10:00 pm -imagine it was only a Tuesday! I guess one has to reserve a table on weekends . The people are professionals and it shows and the owner cares a lot as to the quality and service and he is always there with the customers to see if anything goes wrong. There is no waiting and long delays to be served. The food was fine, the ingredients fresh with some of the meze exceptional.

Customers can reserve the room for wedding or anniversary venues, or for a special occasion. Tony is a great guy, very warm and pleasant to be with, -he never stops smiling and this is very positive. He seems to have good and devoted friends who love his food and keep coming back. His restaurant deservedly represents the Authentic Cypriot cuisine, and warm hospitality.

I long to return and try more of his excellent dishes and I can’t wait to try the wild asparagus which will be on offer during March or April I guess.