Greek Chic - Food Trends in Athens, Greece

Relative to the rest of Greece, Athens tends to be a somewhat cramped city with many people packed into a relatively small area. In fact, over 40% of the Greek population resides in Athens. The upside of that fact is that many who live there actually hail from another region of Greece who brought their family cooking traditions and recipes with them. This makes for Greek restaurants that offer more eclectic cuisine than you might realize.

Over the years, adaptation has been the name of the game in Athens. European influences swung into style during the 90s but more recently, Greeks have gone back to their roots. At heart, they never quite embraced any food other than that served in the families that raised them. Today, Greek tavernas offer a modern spin on the old-fashioned, smoke-filled venues of the past, paired with creative Greek cooking. Popular cuisine trends heavily emphasize healthy Cretan inspired offerings. Fun fact: Greece’s largest island, Crete claims the country’s highest life expectancy!

The recent financial crisis definitely played its part in this return to traditional eating. Tavernas offer tapas-style appetizers, and the Athenian custom is to order plenty to share around. But Athenians are still open to trying new things! The latest food craze in Athens is frozen Greek-style yogurt. Frozen yogurt bars are springing up like mushrooms. The taste is a bit like ice cream but with more character and flavor.

Here are a few bonus tips if you're planning a trip to Greece any time soon. The Greek capital is easy to navigate by foot or the metro; the upside of being a traveler in a country that lives on tourism is that most locals speak English and they are usually happy to help. When dining, beware of opening and closing times, as Athenians eat late lunches and dinners. Most places open for lunch at 1 p.m., although most locals don’t eat lunch until 2 or 3:00. Dinner time is very late: Athenians usually go out for dinner after 9 p.m. and most restaurants serve food up to 11 p.m. or midnight. And if there’s one last piece of culinary advice for Athens, it’s this: explore the downtown area where the locals eat. You will not be disappointed.

Don't have a trip to Greece planned? Come on down to Zizikis! Our menu is full of traditional Greek cuisine favorites!

5 Reasons to Visit Greece

If you love coming to Zizikis for a fabulous meal or a memorable happy hour maybe it's time you consider a visit to the old country. With beautiful scenery, fascinating culture and truly divine cuisine to name a few, Greece offers a plethora of reasons for you to visit. Here we limit ourselves to just 5 of the top reasons our readers should consider Greece as their next destination.

1. A world apart: Traveling to Greece for the first time is a life-altering experience. The unique culture and the beauty of the stunning landscapes, alone, would be enough to amaze you. Add that to the rest of what Greece has to offer and prepare yourself for a long-lasting experience that you will remember forever.

2. A great climate: Greece is perfect for those who enjoy the sun, as for over two thirds of the year the country basks under clear, sunny skies. Not too hot but not too cold, Greece delivers the ideal climate offering everyone the opportunity to enjoy memorable holidays with a wide range of activities.

3. Diversity. Greece has a great range of places and landscapes that cannot be found together anywhere else. It’s like having a miniature world, where everything is included: from countless beautiful islands and beaches, to huge snow-covered mountains, great forests and spectacular cities.

4. Heritage: Get the chance to see, live, some of the most amazing monuments of the world, such as The Parthenon, the Archaeological Site of Delphi, or the breathtaking medieval town of Mystras, in the Peloponnese.

5. Island life: Greece is the land of islands. Islands of different shapes and sizes; different personalities; different possibilities. Where some of the most beautiful beaches of the world are waiting for you. Here you will get the chance to relax body and soul, under the sun, enjoying crystal blue water and fun activities.

If we had to choose another reason to visit Greece, it would be the extraordinary taste of Greek cuisine. The world’s most exquisite Mediterranean flavors are before you. Food here is ten times better and healthier not only because recipes have been perfected over time, by generations of Greek families, but because Greek food is based on fresh products. But you can find all this right here in DFW.

A Little Greek Culture: The Cretan Wine Festival is No More

For years, the Touring Club of Rethymnon, in collaboration with the Municipality of Rethymnon, organized the Rethymnon Wine Festival – a 2-week celebration of Cretan wine, music and dance. You bought a carafe and some glasses, and you could drink as much wine as you wanted, whilst listening to some very good Cretan music and watching some fantastic dancing. Sounds like heaven (or maybe Mt. Olympus), yes?

In 2008 the municipality of Rethymnon made the decision to stop organizing the Wine Festival, at least in the same format.

In 2009 the Wine Festival was re-introduced, but with a completely new identity and format. Then again, in 2012 the identity of the festival was changed-the 1st Cretan Diet Festival was born. 

Now, don’t let the word diet scare you off. This isn’t a festival that centers around diet food. Rather it’s a cultural experience that goes beyond wine and music to include food, crafts and other traditional Greek food products. 

Thinking it’s time to hunt up those tickets to Greece you purchased a while back? Oh. No tickets to Greece? Well, that’s alright. We can give you a taste of Greece here at Ziziki's…bring your appetite!

Now That You’re in Greece, Stroll Through the Plaka - Travel Series Part II

Continuing your trip to Greece, let’s pick up after you’re rested and you’re ready to venture out to go exploring.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have is what to see first. How about a city within the city—the Plaka? It’s a microcosm of Greece spanning the remnants of the Ancients to tastes of the present day. Located under the Acropolis, two main streets intersect and run through the Plaka: Kdatheneon Street and Andrianou Street. Both are loaded with entertainment, stores, Greek restaurants, and eye candy regardless of your interests.

If you’re interested in flea markets, go down Andrianou Street to where it starts. You’ll be in the Monastiraki flea market. Wind through it and it’ll disappear at the Roman Agora. But don’t give up. You’ll find more of it behind the wall of Hadrian's Arch and Plaka Square. It’s always interesting to see what other cultures value and experience the thrill of bartering.

The Plaka is a plethora of sights, sounds and aromas. Strolling the marble streets with it's hundreds of shops, vendors and eateries is a divine experience - because from many places, looking up to the sky - one can see the ancient Acropolis looming over the Plaka.

The shops have tons of merchandise, including great tees for the kids, beautiful embroidered tablecloths, Ouzo and other aperitifs, deep orange and black colored urns, and TONS of jewelry. Our two boys have asked for worry beads - or Kombolói - which are a niche tradition used by the Greeks as a 'stress reliever' and thus, a way to relax in our busy world and lead a healthier lifestyle. Worry beads are similar to Prayer beads, although not religious in nature. A popular item and symbol of Greek pride and heritage - Greek worry beads have been used for everything from stopping smoking, to relieving anxiety.

Later back at the hotel - we sat poolside and enjoyed a Mythos beer.  Baba has a shot of ouzo, a really special brand called Plumeri.  I have a sip…wow is it good.  So are the beers. I wish we could get Mythos beer in Dallas. Hmmm...... we'll have to check on it when we return.