Kastelorizo Continues to be a Steady Value!

 The first impression is that prices continue to remain competitive while tastes are great . Kastelorizo justly ranks 1st out of the 10 restaurants in Varkiza. If this does not tell it all ….go on reading.We happened to be staying for the night in the nearby area of Vouliagmeni so to be sure that we would definitely have an amazing dinner outing we thought to eat here since we have done it in the past and we were totally satisfied….but is the cuisine still yummy? The question I felt I had to answer.I have never been here in summer, only because I try to keep away from crowds and noise, but coming here in the middle of winter even with snow outside, I believe the feeling is the same. It is like having your meal on a Greek island due to the breathtaking view and excellent tastes.  

LOCATION: It is not difficult at all to spot this very popular restaurant as it is right on the main coastal road overlooking the picturesque harbor of Varkiza.

CUISINE: Inspired Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of summer feeling the year round . It has a tradition in this and demanding customers like myself know this well.

ATMOSPHERE: Pleasing….Perfect! The space is divided in two different halls and levels. The one on the side of the garden we chose to sit overlooks the breathtaking little harbor and the bay of Varkiza. The interior room and patio in overwhelming colors of sand and touches of blue brings you closer to the sea sensation. The 2^nd hall with the fireplace, the huge mirror and the many ceiling pendant lights give the feeling of the coastal countryside.

STAFF / SERVICE: Impeccable service, extremely friendly staff and very attentive. The people behind have something special in the way they approach guests, to assure that nothing is missing and that their guests will leave totally satisfied. I always like to give such people the chance to recommend dishes and I am never disappointed. It is obvious that they are a bunch of professionals and through this report I wish to thank the entire team with a special credit going to Vasilis .

BEVERAGE: The wine list is long and quite interesting covering a big choice from Greek wineries with prices very competitive….something to count on. To complement our meal we had a bottle of the home's white wine (Moschofilero) for €11.00. A dry white wine that matches well with seafood.

Look out for the welcoming starters, the bread (cakes) with sesame and rolls. They are way too tasty!

SALAD: The Mixed greens with browned almonds, parmesan flakes & vinaigrette of pomegranate & cranberry was a dish full of color and taste €8.50. Very refreshing and super yummy!

APPETIZERS: 
Sea food fried with goat cheese, colored peppers, small tomatoes & greens for €13.50 was what followed. The contrast in color of the dish presentation was outstanding, the gravy sauce was for me too much though as I am after genuine tastes especially with seafood . My husband who loves dipping bread in sauce and having mixed tastes, the dish was excellent.

Sea food Dolma for €6.00 wrapped in leaves (seskoulo) is another interesting starter, staffed with raisins and flavored rice. The taste was ok but I did not say 'wow’!

The following two dishes indeed tempted my palate:  
‘Kritharoto’ with shrimp, caramelized onion & feta cheese from Epirus. Very reasonable cost (€10.00) I loved it! Be sure to count in the Flavored Risotto with shrimps, ginger & lime. (€9.50). A simple recipe with not too many ingredients, but the taste is an eye-opener! Both Kritharoto and Risotto are dishes relying on much more than sparklingly fresh seafood, and it is a triumph in the art of pasta making: just right degree of bite and creaminess and wonderful flavor and textures. The taste in both was heavenly. 

The very last dish I tried was Spaghetti with Fresh Crab for €10 .00. The taste was superb while the presentation was eye catching but we struggled to take the crab meat out. It became SO Annoying that we left the crab in the dish in the end which was unfair. Had to be brought 2 wet towels each to wash off and extinguish the traces of smell and food from our hands. The best would be part of the crab to be cleaned and mixed in the pasta with just a leg and claw left in the shell for the absolute presentation. I hope this is taken into consideration. The pasta was cooked to perfection but the rest was a scene to be avoided.

DESSERT: I had no intention of spoiling the taste of what I had earlier so I asked for some urchin salad to complete my meal. My husband who admits that he has a sweet tooth was totally satisfied with his Crushed puff pastry (millefeuille) which I find way too sweet for my palate.
 

ECONOMIC OPTIONS: The a la carte menu is one option. Fresh fish is way too expensive throughout the country, but the amazing with this restaurant is that it offers entrées for all budgets with price fixed on a variety of menus that customers can choose from .

 
TO MENU TIS PAREAS: A nice economic option. It is advisable to ask for the dish of the day. What is included is in unlimited consumption but the whole group has to have it otherwise the offer cannot count. The offer is not valid in collaboration with other offers as well. Besides the dish of the day, the menu includes a Seasonal Salad, homemade Dolmades, Smoked Aubergine (politiki) salad, Small Shrimps lightly battered in corn flour, Mussels simmered in flavored vegetable broth & wild oregano, and Spaghetti with crab. Wine or raki and for dessert (Halva semolina with "glyko koutaliou" a traditional dessert. All these for €16.00 per person! If this is not a treat…..then what?
 

THE SET MENU: The other option is for €24.00. This includes a Fish soup, Kastelorizo salad, 'Kritharoto' with shrimps, Squid, Fried Red Mullet or Grilled Sea Beam. Choice of Dessert from main menu, White or Red Wine.


 
THE OVERALL IMPRESSION: Standards are kept high like always and finally it is just what customers expect out of the traditional and historic Kastelorizo Group of Restaurants . Fresh raw materials is the secret of their success, the excellent service, its amazing location and the competitive prices contribute in a way making it extremely popular. I long to be back on a sunny spring day this time and try perhaps a grilled fish dish to enjoy more authentic tastes!