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Where to eat
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Wherever you go in Crete, even in the remotest parts, you are sure
to find a simple taverna serving home-cooked food. There are tavernas
everywhere, but don't expect a great variety of dishes on offer, the menu is
virtually the same from one end of the island to the other.
Selecting a good place to eat is easy, just avoid the 'tourist tavernas' and
get away from the tourist areas. Forsake the nice view for the back streets
and alleys and the simple unpretentious tavernas used by the local people.
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The Cretan Menu...
The Cretan diet is the healthiest in the western world.... and that's
official.The principal ingredients of this diet are bread ( in large
quantities ), accommpanied by olives, lots of fresh fruit and raw vegetables,
olive oil, red wine and protein in small quantities in the form of goat's milk,
cheese, walnuts and fish.
The legacy of the peasant diet can still be found on the menu of a typical
Cretan taverna where you can eat heartily and cheaply on Greek salad
followed by fresh fish or any number of healthy dishes such as stuffed vine leaves
(dolmadakia),
bean soup (soupa fassolia ), and so-called field vegetables ( agria horta ). |
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Fortunately Cretan tavernas also offer 'comfort food' in the form of spinach
and cheese pies ( spanakopopita/tiropiakia ) wrapped in filo pastry and oozing
with flavour ( and fat ), or macaroni and minced beef ( pastitsio )
baked with a rich cheese sauce.
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Lamb, chicken, pork and steaks cooked on a charcoal-grill are common place, but souvlaki
remains the all-time favourite taverna dish. Remote tavernas may offer rustic dishes such as rabbit
( kouneli ), pigeon ( pitsounia ( or wild boar ( agriohiros ), whilst
every beachside taverna will offer tempting choices of grilled fish such as bream, bass, mullet,
swordfish and lobster.
As a rule you won't find many desserts served in tavernas, though most will provide a
bowl of yoghurt and honey or a selection of fruit if asked. For things like baklavas
( filo pastry stuffed with spiced almond ) or kataifa
( shredded pastry filled with walnuts and syrup ) you should find a specialst pastry shop
come cafe.
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Ron's FAVOURITE EATING PLACES :
SAMARIA RESTAURANT - Aghios Nikolaos :
I have been to Aghios Nikolaos so many times, that I have eaten in virtually every restaurant
and taverna in the town and I enjoyed eating in the Samaria so much on the first time I tried it, I now use it every night.
Owned and run by Antonis Makakis and his lovely wife Anna, the Samaria is situated near the Amoudi Beach.
The menu is quite extensive and Antonis keeps his customers entertained throughout the evening.
Easy to find, nice decor, excellent food and a good night out for all.
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VRITOMARTES TAVERNA - Elounda :
Built on an artificial island in the harbour, the Vritomartes Taverna is less pricey than some and
sells fresh fish caught by the taverna's own boat.
Even if you don't eat here, it's worth just nipping in for a coffee to soak up the atmosphere of Elounda.
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MILOS TAVERNA - Near Psychro :
I discovered this little gem the first time that I went to the
Lassithi Plateau, and now make a pilgrimage back to the small village of Plati every year.
The place is family run and the food is home-made and excellent value for money. Try the
moussaka, it has to be the best in Crete. This year's (2001) home grow grapes were delicious...Thanks Anna...See you next year.
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