Take A Bite Of Scylla!

The Greek tale of the Scylla, a monster, with six heads, that Odysseus must sail past during his travels, is an example of one of the earlier sightings of what we now know today as The Kraken. Stories tell us that this huge, many armed, monster could reach as high as the top of a sailing ship's main mast, making it obvious as to how one would attack the ship in the first place; by wrapping their arms around the hull and capsizing it. After that the crew would either drown or be eaten by the monster.

The Kraken of this myth is probably what we know today as the giant squid. The giant squid can grow to a remarkable size, and like all squid, a giant squid has eight arms, a mantle (torso), and two longer tentacles (the longest known tentacles of any cephalopod). These giant squid also have a sophisticated nervous system and complex brain, and some are thought to be able to wrestle with something as big as a whale.

Whether Scylla was truly a giant squid, or maybe just an over-sized octopus, she would – in all reality – still taste as good as any other type of seafood anyone has ever had. Size isn’t what matters when it comes to seafood – but it could help a bit. At Ziziki's, you could opt for the smaller version of Scylla & the Kracken: calamari or to stick to the souvlaki's with yummy sea-snacks like tuna and shrimp. Opa!

Greek: It's Good For You

Greek cuisine is classified as a type of Mediterranean cuisine and, as the years have gone by, this type of food has become more and more prevalent in today’s “dining-out” industry. Dining out has even now become more common in Greece itself, and has been for a while now.

What makes Greek food stand out most is the fact that in almost all recipes, one can find a good amount of olive oil and a bit of Greek culture to go with it.

Greek life, in essence, is all about the celebration of said life. Even in ancient Greece, dancing was extremely important to the people. They believed that dancing helped one become more mentally and physically fit, and they even had close to two-hundred dances. These celebrations, or festivals, can last, at a minimum, a couple of days, or go on for so long as up to a week.

Greek life and culture is one of loving and living life to the fullest, and a Greek restaurant has the ability to give one the right atmosphere, the right food, and the great fun that being Greek can bring into one’s life.

Going Green and Going GREEK For St. Patty's Day

March 17th is well known around the world as St. Patrick's Day.  Ireland is well-represented by pubs and bars all across Greece, with with Crete being the most popular with those from Ireland and visitors from all over the world. There are over 20 Irish themed pubs and bars on Crete alone.

And certainly - in Greece, where there's always a reason to celebrate - you can imagine that Greeks take part in the enjoyment of the green beer - or - the green beer BOTTLE.

Mythos Beer is one of the most popular bee - and it comes in a bright green bottle.

But instead of flying to Athens for some special beer - why not head over to one of our three Ziziki's locations or Ziziki's Taverna in Addison for a festive atmosphere, spirits and scrumptious mezzes?

So go green ...and go Greek!

Slainte!

Mardi Gras - Greek Style!

Of course, you know about New Orleans, and Rio de Janeiro and their extravagant and exotic Mardi Gras celebrations coming up! BUT, the GREEKS have been doing CARNIVAL longer than anyone - in fact, they invented it! OPA!

While the Greek Carnival is just as festive and exciting as Mardi Gras, there are a few differences that occur in Greece. First of all, they use the Greek Orthodox Easter Calendar - which usually differs from the Western Calendar.

Carnival ( or Apokriés meaning "saying goodbye to meat") begins on a Saturday evening with the opening of the Triodion - beginning of Pre-Lentin (40 days before the beginning of Lent). They do not recognize “Fat Tuesday” in Greece - instead they celebrate “Burnt Thursday” (11 days before Lent) feasting on a variety of grilled meats.

The weekend following (“Tsiknopempti Weekend”) continues with many parties and other events to “Meat-Eating Sunday”, when is the “last day” for meat eating. This is a very popular day at most Greek restaurants, like Ziziki’s Restaurant and Ziziki’s Taverna.

But, a week later on the last weekend of the Carnival season is the Main Carnival Weekend. Patras holds the largest carnival in Greece and filled with concerts, masked balls, parades with amazing floats and many special events for children over 3 fun-filled days. On Saturday, there is a special service for the dead in Orthodox churches and ends on “Cheese-eating Sunday” or “Tyrofagos” - you know the Greeks LOVE their cheese. The Great Lent begins on "Clean Monday” which marks the end of the Greek Carnival.

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue the celebration - the party is always going on here at one of our Zizikis locations. Come in and see us sometime!

Springtime In Greece

The travel guides say Spring is a great time to visit Greece...

Traveling during this season to the beautiful Mediterranean destination will allow you to enjoy less crowds, better prices and FANTASTIC weather.  Springtime in Greece means that most of the Greek Isles are coming off of seasonal winds, and preparing for a hot Summer (sounds a bit like Texas.)

And of course - Greek  food is ALWAYS something to behold - regardless of season.  

Spring is a time for festivals and celebrations - including Easter (more on that later!) and feasts and events to celebrate the renewal of Spring.

Greek Springtime is also considered quite incredible as far as Mother Nature is concerned. She's busy making a new, beautiful landscape - and it is said to be refreshing and amazing to see. The lush green landscape, colorful mountains, and blooming majesty of native wildflowers.

Can't break away to go to Greece just yet? Visit us at Ziziki's or Ziziki's Taverna for authentic Greek cuisine that will make you feel like you're really there. Bring a fan to mimic the 'Greek Spring winds' and we'll provide the food and atmosphere. Opa!

Dine Like Gods This St. Valentine's Day

It's Less than a week until the most romantic night of the year…St. Valentine's Day.

What would Eros (Aphrodite's son, by the way) suggest doing on this special day? What might you do for your special loved one, to enhance the chances that Eros might draw his famous "bow of love": and shoot a magical arrow in to the heart and mind of your sweetie to ensure true love forever?

What are you doing to show your loved one how you feel? A heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates? A beautiful, diamond necklace?  A dozen red roses?

If you want results - go for GREEK FOOD. It's sure to win the heart of your love-target.

All of these other ideas are amazing - and must be done, if you really want to make an impression...start the night off right by visiting Ziziki’s for a special four-course Valentine's Day dinner on Monday, February 14th, or by visiting Ziziki's Taverna in Addison for three-course dinner special. Here's a bit more on this weekend's special offerings:

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND SPECIALS

Ziziki's Valentine's Menu
This four course dinner is only $49 per person (tax and tip not included).

• APPETIZER PLATTER
  A trio platter of our chef’s favorite appetizers
• SALAD
  Our signature ZIZIKI Salad
• ENTREÉ
  Your choice of entreé including our most popular:
  Rack of Lamb, Spanakopita, Greek Island Chicken, Seafood Santorini and much more.
• DESSERT
  Decadent Chocolate Liquor Cake 

We will also be offering this amazing (at our Ziziki's locations only) all weekend to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 2/11, 2/12, and 2/13 as an option along with our regular menu just in case you and your sweetheart want to celebrate early!

Ziziki's Taverna

Begin with your choice of Mezze (yummy Greek appetizers...). Then, you can indulge in a scrumptious Greek Salad. Finally, you'll enjoy your choice of our Specialty Entrees. This exclusive three-course menu is only $30/per person! What's more -  you can add a bottle of wine from a HUGE wine selection for only $20 more! Click here for the full selection special menu.

Join us and feast your way to true love!

The Super Bowl: Originated In Greece, Right?

ONLY 5 more days until the SUPER BOWL is here in North Texas…how exciting! People from all over the country are coming to Dallas/Ft. Worth with a hunger (and thirst) - not only for delicious food and tasty beverages, BUT for some consuming entertainment that ONLY the SUPER BOWL can satisfy!

Picture this: A nation riveted with men competing for more wealth and fame in the biggest of arenas. A stadium packed with people ready glorify or scorn the players based on their achievements or failings. Remind you of anything?

After the nonstop media frenzy this week, you are most likely thinking Super Bowl.

But that's only the latest, high-profile extravaganza in which fame and fortune are at stake. Going back more than 2,000 years ago, first the Greeks (of COURSE!) and THEN the Romans regularly gathered in large crowds ready to cheer and jeer their own stars, just as some 100,000 or so fans will do in Arlington this Sunday.

No festival from any age or place has done such a amazing job of celebrating so much all at once. The ancient Greeks crammed as many as 20,000 viewers into their outdoor theatre, an assembly unmatched in those days by anything other than warfare. Instead of attending one of the hundreds of parties the night before or feasting on a big brunch (perhaps somewhere like the TOP 5 nominee for BEST BRUNCH in DFW at Ziziki‘s Restaurant) before the Big Game, there was a parade and sacrifice to the god of wine, Dionysus - a sign that the Athenian people was about to get their Greek feast on. (Today, you might think beer, chicken wings and pizza - but at Ziziki's - and Ziziki's Taverna - we're thinking WINE and have the best wine selection in Dallas). These were competitive events, with prizes for the greatest and most victorious.

The game this Sunday at Cowboys Stadium is but the pinnacle of spectacles. Not even the ancient Olympics could operate on the same scale. In addition to the actual game of football - the anticipation of the musical acts before the game and during half-time are just as exciting. And, of course, you can’t forget about the award winning and much-hyped commercials.(Speaking of much-hyped - did you know Ziziki's can cater your Super Bowl party and save you TONS of time and money - and SERIOUSLY impress your guests)

The Super Bowl's ability to make and crown stars has few rivals. The quarterbacks are like the generals - the men who hold the strategic codes, who hang behind the offensive lines like kings in a chess game, and who fight until the end. There is a Greek-style kudos - acclaim, glory, fame - to these celebrities who duel without actually meeting on the field. Of course - at Ziziki's - we love winning too - alongw ith acclaim, glory and fame- that's why we are known for our award-winning Greek cuisine in Dallas.

Don’t forget  our campaign to end hunger, TASTE OF THE NFL is still going on (now through Super Bowl Sunday) At all Ziziki's locations - and with your purchase of these wines, they will donate to the North Texas Food Bank to address the needs of the hungry in North Texas and around the country.

Ziziki's will be open for Sunday brunch on Super Bowl Sunday, but will be closed Super Bowl night.

Looking for a Super Bowl Party? Join Ziziki's Taverna for a spectacular Happy Hour - a lively atmosphere and viewing of the game of the year on a 90" flat screen!

Credits for this blog post refer to ESPN - for the full article - click here.