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Monday, August 31, 2015

Mani Mani

Just a short walk from our hotel was Mani Mani. We had a delicious dinner and it was so reasonably priced.


Bread with Olives & Olive Oil--1.50


Mussels Steamed in a Wild Fennel Sauce with Lemon Grass--€7.50. This had a really nice flavor.


Greek Traditional Pasta with Chicken, Asparagus, Sundried Tomatoes, Zucchini & Fresh Basil--€9.50. This was also delicious. The pasta is like broken pieces of wide fettucini in a nice cream sauce.


Grilled Veal Meatballs on Pita Bread with Smoked Eggplant and Light Spicy Yogurt Cream--€9.50. This was also delicious.



2015 06 04

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Hera Hotel



Our hotel in Athens was the Hera Hotel--€144/night for an acropolis-view room.


Hera Hotel is located in the center of Athens, just a short walk from the Acropolis Museum and the Metro station. 


The beds were comfortable.


The marble bathroom was gorgeous.


But, the view was suboptimal. We could only see the acropolis if we went on our balcony and peered around the corner. It wasn't the view I was expecting.


Breakfast was included in the room rate. Breakfast was served in a domed room.


Bacon, sausages, frittata, cold cuts and pastries. It was okay but the best breakfast we had in Greece was still at the Argo in Mykonos.



2015 06 04

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Piraeus, Athens

From Sifnos, we took a ferry to Piraeus, the main port near Athens.


Leaving Sifnos.


Port town of Sifnos--Kamares.


The ferry cost €33 and took 5 1/2 hours.


Arriving in Piraeus. It was a mile from where we docked to the Metro station. We just followed the crowd. Cost to the center of Athens--€1.40.



2015 06 04

Friday, August 28, 2015

Thursday Night Dinner at Flavor Bistro

Here's this week's Thursday Night dinner at Flavor Bistro. Dinner is served course by course at a communal table. Paired with 4 wines--all for $24.95.



Torta Di Carciofi E Pomodoro--Warm Ricotta Torta Filled with Baby Artichokes, Organic Toy Box Tomatoes, Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Sweet Basil, paired with 2014 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Garganega/Chardonnay I.G.T., Veneto, Italy. This was delicious. I loved the crust and the different vegetables on a bed of ricotta. The wine didn't have the buttery taste of a chardonnay and tasted like a sauvignon blanc.



Quaglia Arrosto--Pan Roasted Quail Served with Green  Lentils, Bacon, Escarole & Homemade Petite Gnocchi in Sugo D'Erbe, paired with 2013 Paul Hobbs Winery CrossBarn Pinot Noir 
Sonoma Coast. The quail is so well seasoned. I picked the bones clean. The Pinot was a perfect pairing. It had such a nice nose and taste.


Agnello Ai Ferri--Grilled Marinated Local Lamb Loin Chop Garnished with Roasted Radicchio, Sweet Corn-Fontina Polenta Served in Sugo Di Olive E Maggiorana, paired with 2013 Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles. The lamb was cooked medium rare and the polenta was creamy and delicious.


Bomba--Italian Style Ice Cream Float, Vanilla & Chocolate Gelato, Espresso, Sweet Cream & Almond Gremolata, paired with 2010 Novy Family Wines 'Oley' Late Harvest Viognier, Russian River Valley



2015 08 27

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Snacks in Sifnos



We found these breadsticks. The cheese ones were good but the rosemary ones tasted rancid. They were disappointing.


Turkish Delight in Kamares. These were too soft and I especially didn't like the rosewater ones.


Baklava are everywhere.


Pork Gyros on a plate--€8.


Pork Pita--€2.20. This was a much better deal than the plate. The Greeks around us ordered 2 of these and called it a meal. No one had the plates except my husband.



2015 06 04

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Around Sifnos

Sifnos has many footpaths that link the main towns.


The signs tell you how long it takes to walk to the next town.


There are markers to help you find the routes.


Footpath from the main town of Apollonia to Ano Petali.






Between towns, there are beautiful vistas.


Church in Apollonia


Apollonia has many restaurants & shops.

The island has beautiful beaches.


Vathi, in the southwestern part of the island.




Tavernas line the beachfront.


I wonder how long this sand castle has been here.


In Vathi, there are numerous hotels.

After touring the island, we decided Sifnos was our favorite island as well. The island has small towns but the restaurants are delicious. If you like to hike, you'll really like exploring the island. The beaches are secluded yet wide and sandy. Next time, we'll have to come and spend a week on this island.



2015 06 04

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Absinthe

Absinthe is one of the highest rated restaurants in Sifnos on TripAdvisor. It's on the waterfront in the port town of Kamares. It was a quick walk down the steps from our hotel. Before we left town to tour Kastro, I stopped by the restaurant and made a reservation. I wanted to have a table with a view of the sunset.




Table with a view.


Amuse bouche of cheese dip, olives and eggplant/tomato spread.


Green & White Salad--Parmesan shavings, lettuce, rocket, apple, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, cranberries, raspberry vinaigrette--8. This was a delicious salad--my 2nd favorite salad in Greece.


Grilled Schoolshark--€15. One of the specials of the night. Served with wild rice. Firm but moist fish.


Hot & Spicy Goat Served With Basmati Rice--€14.50. This was tender and delicious.



2015 06 03

Monday, August 24, 2015

Kastro

Kastro is the former capital of Sifnos. It is an adorable village located at the eastern edge of the island. There are narrow walkways with white-washed buildings and splashes of color.




Ancient wall of Kastro.


Kastro sits on a hill with beautiful views.


Church at the edge of the island.


There are several sarcophagi in town.


It's easy to get lost in the village.



2015 06 03

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Sifnos

We kept hearing that Sifnos was a beautiful island and quite a few people we met claimed it was their favorite island. We had an extra day and decided to see for ourselves.

The SeaJet 2 from Milos to Sifnos cost €15.50 and took 50 minutes.




Our hotel was Meropi--€30/night. It was a 5-minute walk from the port.


Our room had a balcony with a view of the port. Good wifi but no breakfast.



2015 06 03