Fun Greek Games To Play WIth Your Family

We recently had a family visit one of our Greek restaurants for a little Greek Heritage. Turns out this cute little family recently started a fun tradition called ‘Explore the World’ where every month or so they research a new culture. They dive right in with a bit of historical research and then proceed to bring some of their research into their lives. They dress up, they eat common foods and they play games. What a fun, budget friendly, way to bring the big wide world into your home.

In honor of this idea we thought we’d share a few fun Greek games you can share with the kids in your life.

1. Ephedrismos was a popular game whose name is derived from the Greek word for “sit upon.” Two
players place a stone upright on the ground and throw other stones at it from a distance. The player
who fails to knock over the upright stone then carries the other player on his back while the winner’s hands cover his eyes. The pair runs around in this fashion until the losing player touches the stone.

2. Morra is a game still played in some parts of Europe, particularly southern Italy. Two players make a fist behind their backs and at a signal extend their hands, displaying a certain number of fingers. The first player to call out the correct total number of fingers shown wins the game.

3. Greek children also loved to play a game called ostrakinda. The name of the game is derived from
that of the shell that is used during play. Greek children would take a shell and smear one side black.
They referred to this side as “night,” while the blank side was “day.” The children then drew a line,
divided into two teams, and decided which team was night and which day. One player would toss the shell, and the side whose color came up chased the other team. Anyone caught was forced to carry his pursuer on his back. Plato is likely making an analogy based on this popular game when he writes, “So this, it seems, would not be the whirling of a shell in the children’s game, but a conversation and turning about of the soul from a day whose light is darkness to the veritable day.” Variations of ostrakinda are still played in Europe. English children play a version called “Crusts and Crumbs,” French children one called “Le Jour et La Nuit,” and Austrian children a game called “Schwarz-Weiss.”

4. Greek children enjoyed playing episkyros, also known as ephebike—a sort of rugby-football type game. The players divided into two teams. Each team stood on one side of a line drawn on the ground. A goal line was drawn behind each team; the two sides then fought to reach the other side’s goal line.

Ziziki's Taverna Nominated For Favorite Mediterranean Restaurant With Addison Magazine

Ziziki's Taverna has once again been nominated Favorite Mediterranean restaurant in the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards!

 Click here to VOTE NOW!

A special thank you goes out to our Addison patrons, who have nominated and voted for us - to victory - last year for this great honor! We' ve been nominated as Favorite Mediterranean restaurnat with Addison Magazine Reader's Choice Awards! Now, we need your votes to seal the deal and launch us into first place. Thank you for making Ziziki's Taverna - Addison's Best Mediterranean Restaurant!

The Story of Greek Migrations To America

With the Olympics approaching we’re finding ourselves reflecting on our Greek Heritage. It’s a well-known fact that America is considered a melting pot. And as Greeks, we're glad to be one big ingredient in the pot!

Greeks began to settle in America at the end of the 19th century. By the outbreak of the First World War there were about 300,000 Greek immigrants in the United States. The main reason for leaving Greece wa unemployment, low wages and high prices. Most Greeks settled in cities where they tended to find menial, unskilled work.

Greek communities were often self-sufficient with their own churches, coffee house, mutual benefit societies and political clubs. Greek Orthodox religious festivals and traditions were strictly observed. By 1910 both New York and Chicago had Greek-language newspapers. Since 1820 over 655,000 people have emigrated to the United States from Greece.



The 1980s can be characterized as the start of a return to historical memory, a review of the path taken by Greeks in America. This was yet another opportunity for Greek-Americans to honor their unique heritage.

Today Greeks are found in every aspect of American culture far beyond restaurateurs. In fact, here are a few Greeks you might be familiar with:

• Tina Fey (S&L and Thirty Rock)
• Melina Kanakaredes (CSI NY)
• Michael Chiklis (The Shield)
• Yanni (famous musician)
• Telly Savalis (Kojak)
• Jennifer Aniston (Friends)
• Michael Dukakis (80s presidential candidate)
• Olympia Dukakis (actress)
• Nia Vardalos (Big Fat Greek Wedding)
• Billy Zane (Titanic)

Zizikis - A Dallas Legend

When a customer walks through the doors of Zizikis Dallas, they have entered a restaurant full of history and wonderful cuisine.

Zizikis is an upscale Dallas Greek and Italian restaurant owned by Mary and Costa Arabatzis that has been in Dallas nearly 15 years. They developed a passion for wine, and have an award winning wine list that compliments their unique menu which items such as their famous Greek salad and their tangy yogurt sauce - tzatziki sauce (which is where the name Ziziki’s came from).

Ziziki’s has grown so much, that within the last several years they have expanded the Travis Walk location by providing a private dining area that seats up to 40, and have added new locations in Plano and another location in Dallas making it an easy and delicious destination from any part of the Dallas area.

Zizikis has won many prestigious awards over the years by national food critics and others alike such as the “Award of Excellence” from the Wine Spectator (has been awarded every year since 1995), one of Zagat Guide's 'best new restaurants' in 1998, Best Brunch from Dallas Observer in 2000 - and many others.

You will no doubt have a magnificent time eating at this five star Dallas restaurant with the wonderful food and friendly staff.

Visit one of these great Ziziki's locations:

Ziziki’s at Travis Walk at 4514 Travis St. in Dallas
Ziziki’s at Preston/Forest at 11661 Preston Rd. #309 in Dallas
Ziziki’s at Lakeside Market at 5809 Preston Rd. #578 in Plano

Make Ziziki's Your Event Catering Ritual

Graduation parties are just around the corner. Mother's Day, and Father's Day celebrations are also on the horizon. Celebrations occur year round - and what do most people like to do when they gather and celebrate? Eat! And who knows how to celebrate and eat better than anyone else in the world? GREEKS!

Did you know that Ziziki's offers Dallas catering services? All of your favorite dishes - mezzes, sides, main courses and desserts - can be presented at your event, and are guaranteed to woo and wow your guests.

Click here to download our catering menu or contact us to find out how we can help your event be even more spectacular! OPA!

Celebrate Easter Together With Dallas Best Brunch

Join us to celebrate Easter - Special Brunch Menu

Join us at all three locations for a special Easter Menu and our award-winning brunch!

Start your meal with a complimentary glass of champagne or a Mimosa. Then, enjoy the brunch that has been a runner-up on WFAA-List Best of Dallas BEST BRUNCH for three years running:

A flavorful selection of your favorite Ziziki’s items:
Spanakopita, Dolmades, Mediterranean Salad, Greek Island Chicken, Rigatoni with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

Plus these signature brunch items…

• Mediterranean Shrimp
• House Smoked Salmon with
• Bagels & Herbed Cream Cheese
• Buttermilk Pancakes with Cinnamon Syrup
• Greek Scrambled Eggs with Feta Cheese & Basil
• Roasted Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Sauce
• Ya Ya Katina’s Baklava

Easter Eggs and Chocolates For All Children!

3 seatings at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm
$24.95 per person

Easter evening we will be featuring our regular dinner menu.

Greens and Greek Cuisine

Greens grow wild all over Greece, and have been a staple in nearly every angle of Greek cuisine for years. One of the most famous dishes that is found in everyday Greek cooking is horta, which are, simply stated - boiled greens. And might recognize the word horta, or hort - as the root for all things 'horticultural' or 'green'. And, there are an array of other greens found in common cookery with varying uses such as herbs, eaten raw, used in casseroles or salads - or boiled for horta.

Greens are used in nearly every dish - including main dishes. From meat, chicken and fish entrees and pork (best with a bit of avgolemono, or lemon juice and egg sauce) to Hortopitakia, which are phyllo pies packed with garden greens and herbs.

And depending on how you like your salads - nearly all the greens used in Greek cuisine can be eaten in any of the dishes used (even though some may surprise you!) - along with the common spinach, lettuce and other bulbs, collards and such - are:

• Cabbages (white, red, kale, etc.)
• Catnip (Catmint, Nepeta)
• Dandelion Greens
• Fennel
• Golden Thistle
• Leeks
• Mache (Lamb's Lettuce, Wild Lettuce)
• Mallow
• Nettles
• Palmer Amaranth (Albersia, Vlita)
• Poppy
• Purslane
• Sow-thistle
• Spiny Chicory
• White Beet Leaves
• Brassicae greens (kale, collard greens)
• Sow-thistles
• Wild Mustard Greens
• Chard