Nestled in the back streets of Larnaca’s Laiki Geitonia is a versatile bar that has become increasingly popular since opening four years ago. Old Market St is a classy bar that can cater to all needs whether you want to sit outside and enjoy a coffee on a sunny afternoon, prefer some early evening tapas and a nice cool drink or to be at the heart of the hustle and bustle at night.

Arriving at the corner, renovated, stone-built building you’ll notice the outside seating area made up of a mixture of high and low tables and palm trees creating a border that shade those enjoying the bar in the midday sun.

Inside, there is a mixture of modern design and eclectic retro pieces scattered around. Arriving late evening, we saw nowhere to sit, or stand for that matter, outside so we headed inside. We must’ve looked a little lost wandering around trying to spot somewhere to sit as we were approached by the smiling hostess. She asked if we had a reservation but foolishly, we did not. We were in luck though as she told us a table had just asked for their bill. While waiting, we looked around and saw all the tempting looking drinks at other people’s tables.

When we finally sat down, we were brought menus and with them an immediate problem – all the drinks sounded so good, we didn’t know where to start! My friend finally went for a prosecco based cocktail with a dark chocolate garnish. Not being a fan of dark chocolate she asked to have it without. The waitress looked embarrassed and informed us the barman would not change anything, even garnish, as it could change the flavour of the cocktail. Wanting something prosecco based she asked for a glass of prosecco but despite it being available to put into a cocktail, they would not serve it as a drink by itself.

Despite the shaky start we ended up choosing beautifully presented cocktails. I ordered the Skoliotis, which contains a spoon of Mastiha mixed with gin and tonic, grapefruit and some cucumber! Just be careful to not accidentally drop the spoon of mastiha into the cocktail as I did! The Message in a Bottle actually came in a bottle resting in a bucket of ice. The cocktails were very tasty and we thoroughly enjoyed them.

The drinks are not cheap, but are no more than you would expect to pay for a good cocktail at a classy bar. Keep an eye out for one of the various events that Old Market St frequently organise!

Old Market St

Where: 51 Kleanthi Kalogera Street, Larnaca

When: Daily, all day

Contact: 94 011011

Restaurants in Nicosia have adopted the timetabling of London buses – complain for years about the absence of good venues, then without any fanfare, half a dozen appear in the same season. It has now reached the stage where the most recent arrivals have adopted some of the more lofty attitudes of their European confreres: a sartorial inspection before being seated.

Madam, the Italian companion, had booked a table, I arrived before her, claimed it, but obviously caused an eyebrow to rise from the somnolent level. Casually directed to a table by the entrance, I ordered an ouzo; the waiter was unaware of any such beverage, and suggested a Mastica. Not really what I wanted. ‘How about a small Zivania?’ Apparently not – they didn’t have any. It took ten minutes to serve the beer I ordered. Hmm.

The decor and furnishings would grace any similar establishment in London, Paris or Milan; although the cutlery appeared to have escaped from the DOC. My talented grand-daughter agreed and promptly ordered a cocktail.

The menu is divided into three columns on a stiff card. The starters are sufficient to share between two or three, and include Zucchini Fritters with a yogurt aioli; Octopus Carpachio – marinated and sliced paper thin, quite brilliant; Tuna Tataki, Steak Tatare with truffle and Parmesan; two further dishes and three salads, one, a duck breast with Spinach, Pomegranate, Orange and Almonds.

We chose the Zucchini and the Octopus to share between three. White wine by the glass. The chef serves his Zucchini in battered strips and there are enough to accompany any main dishes and have some left over to eat with the dessert. The Octopus is an art-form and it was a shame to disturb it. But we did.

The main menu has some interesting entries: Black Label Burger, Black Angus Beef – both Caledonian – with Somerset cheese, chips and Béarnaise Sauce, from the ‘auld alliance’. A Milanese Chop, but no indication of its pedigree: Ovine, Porcine or Bovine. There is Octopus and Spring Chicken; for myself I select the Pan Seared Grouper, my favourite Mediterranean fish. I know they can grow to man-eating size, but when fresh – two to five kilos – they are perfect. Amaro boasts a special list of beef and chicken dishes that have to be ordered for a minimum of two diners.

The restaurant has a Pizza oven near the kitchen and the customer may order one of five offerings. From our perspective the Pasta has most appeal, particularly when we discovered the chef, Pietro, hailed from the same region of Piedmonte as my companion’s family, and made pasta daily in the traditional style. The granddaughter selected the Linguini with five different marine dwellers, including a tiger prawn, and the companion was tempted by the Tagliolini, which is one of the forms of Tagliatelle, more popular in the northern region. Both agreed that the tagliolini was perfectly made and quite delicious; the Linguini, good, but needed a few more occupants for the price. The Grouper was first rate and untroubled by accompaniments, except for a separate dish of what I believe was a sweet-potato puree, set down without any method of delivering it to the plate.

The sweets are traditional and our Pavlova was excellent.

The food is a match for any similar establishment in the country, and the chef – definitely ‘one of the ones’. I anticipate some dishes involving veal. However, service was maladroit, and given that the owner was present throughout the luncheon period; puzzling. Early days?

The wine list is modest and reasonably priced.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Italian

WHERE Amaro, Pindarou 14, Nicosia

CONTACT 22 777270

COST Expensive

If you fancy a night out under the stars Otto Dieci in Paphos is a good place to try out. Set down a small alley in the heart of the newly renovated Paphos old town, Otto Dieci has become a stalwart of the Paphos nightlife scene.

Opened in 2009, this unique venue combines a beautifully renovated traditional stone building with a modern, sleek interior and contemporary furniture. Coloured lighting adds to the mood and seating is available both inside and out.

Well trained bar staff prepare and operate at high speed, dispensing a substantial number of drinks and cocktails throughout the night, and although they are on the pricey side, they’re well worth it.

Premium cocktails are a hefty €10 and house cocktails are €8. Wine is sold by the glass but a bottle will set you back anything between €20 and €30.

Live DJs and other live music events are regular offerings as are special party nights – 80s and 90s retro nights are a favourite.

Dress tends to be smart casual, but whatever goes, and this is a hugely popular place to meet up with friends, especially during the summer months.

Be warned, it does get busy – so it’s advisable to book a spot – and the crowd tends to be mostly under 40s. However, all sorts of people do frequent here and staff are friendly and the atmosphere buzzing.

Currently open from 9.30pm until 2am on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, Otto will be open extra evenings (yet to be decided), during the peak months of the summer.

Toilets are situated upstairs and are clean and there are a number of car parks found close by, so it’s not too far to walk in teetering heels.

Regular updates are posted on the bar’s Facebook page, as are photographs of recent events.

If you fancy dipping into the nightlife of Paphos, this venue is a good choice.

Otto Dieci

Where: Votsi 10, Old Town Paphos

Contact: 70001810

There are some places that have been around forever, but you somehow never really notice them, or you never really get the chance to go in. But this means you might be missing out on something remarkable, and this month it came in the shape and form of the traditional Greek cuisine restaurant Ta Kopsidia.

Located just outside of the centre of Limassol, it is not hard to find but yet unheard of to those looking for restaurants in the conventional areas that are bursting with a new addition each month. This however, makes it relatively quiet and outside of that busy hustle and bustle of the city.

The very simple décor – traditional tables and chairs in clean shades of white and green – are given a touch of glamour with some Hollywood photos and some chalk drawn cartoons but it is the food that is the real draw.

The concept of the restaurant can be taken from the translation of the name of the restaurant as it means meat cuts – especially referring to the divine chops. And here they are served by weight – you don’t get the pre-cut version of what the restaurant deems an appropriate portion. You choose your own portion, whether that is a couple of hundreds grams or a kilo. Moreover, the meat itself, which is brought in from Greece, tasted phenomenal. Cooked to perfection, it was a mouthful of flavour with each bite. But this is not the only thing the restaurant has going for it.

Greek cuisine is very similar to Cypriot yet so tantalizingly different that I can never seem to resist it. The powerhouse starters of this restaurant? Most of the Greek dishes that somehow never make it onto our menus in Cyprus. I started with the traditional Ntakos, which is a piece of crispy bread topped with tomato and feta, followed by the ‘saganaki’ and the piece de resistance, the feta with fig. Yes it is cheese galore, and this is what I loved about it. Most of all, the portions were all so appetizing they could easily be turned into a combination of a main course.

To top off the starters were the zucchini fries, a deliciously tasty alternative to French fries, that were magnificent when paired with their ‘pomilorotigania’, which essentially is tomatos, feta and egg melted and cooked together. I quite enjoyed the fact that the different sides were easily combined by way of taste, as it does not throw off your taste buds with every meze sampling you have. By way of meat, the ‘yuvetsi’, served in a clay bowl with aubergines and cheese, was a highlight. My advice though, stick to the meat cuts as this is what they do best – as it says on the tin!

All in all, the pleasant surprise of this restaurant will make a certain customer out of me – this won’t be the last time I visit, so make sure to pencil it into your calendar.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Greek Cuisine, cooked meats

WHERE Ta Kopsidia, 27 Dodekanisou Street, Limassol

WHEN

CONTACT 25 725551

The call of the beach can’t be ignored – when the heat starts you just can’t tear yourself away from the seaside breeze, especially since the pain of humidity has not yet set in. This time, I opted for a drink at the Athina Lounge Bar at Amathus hotel.

The great thing about going to a bar at a hotel is the meticulous and elegant décor and atmosphere, where each detail is rigorously attended to, and it offers great service. So, if you are looking for a night of pampered drinking then this is the place for you. Overlooking the shore, its summer terrace is everything you wanted and more for a break from the buzz of the busy Limassol nightlife. The inside of the bar is reminiscent of a very elegant version of a speakeasy whiskey bar, adding to the air of sophistication that permeates. Although it goes without saying that none of this comes cheap.

What this place can be recommended for is its interesting take on cocktails, or if you aren’t feeling too adventurous its comprehensive wine menu. I started off with a sparkling wine cocktail and went for the Spice Up Your Life made with Prosecco, Apricot Brandy, strawberry, and topped with chilli. The combination at first seemed quite odd, but it was odd enough to intrigue me into giving it a taste and it did not disappoint. The sweetness of the apricot brandy and strawberry made a great contrast to the tangy prosecco and spicy chilli that created a beautiful amalgamation of flavours. However I like my cocktails to be refreshing so I followed the first with an Apple Breeze made with Vodka Citron, fresh apple, apple puree, bergamot and red grapefruit. Each taste was a punch of summer breeze.

All in all, with unparalleled and unobstructed views, great service and atmosphere that is combined with great drinks I don’t see why Athina Lounge Bar should not be visited this summer. And with their no children under 16 allowed after 20:30 policy, it guarantees a relaxing atmosphere!

Athina Lounge
Where: Amathus Hotel, Limassol
Contact: 25 832000

After all the upheavals and renovations in Paphos old town last year, it’s good to see the green shoots of recovery starting to emerge and Dim Sum Yum is one such shoot. The recently-opened restaurant occupies a small shop on the corner of Aphroditis and Miaouli Streets where the minimalist decor reminiscent of street Dim Sum cafés in China with low wooden stools and a central communal table.

The tradition of eating dim sum can be traced back to ancient Chinese travellers who broke their journey along the Silk Road to have tea and eat these small, bite-sized delicacies – commonly referred to as dumplings.

Chef Sugen Maolon knows his business and has imported a genuine Dim Sum steamer from China, complete with bamboo baskets with which to cook and serve. He has cooked Dim Sum for many years in places as varied as Dubai, Singapore and Moscow. He brings with him an eye for detail and a commitment to producing excellent food, buying all his ingredients locally and fresh on a daily basis with seafood naturally featuring prominently on the menu, as well as pork, veal and chicken.

My two friends came with an appetite so we ordered a party dim sum mix and a veggie mix basket as well. The dumpling basket showcases dim sum at its best, with prawn ha kao, veal sie lung pao, chicken sio may and pork dim sum. The veggie basket contains three vegetable gyoza and two spinach dumplings. The dumplings were piping hot and full of flavour. They are served with a choice of homemade ginger soy or chilli dip sauce.

In addition, from the ‘very special’ menu, we ordered the duck bbq bun which came as two pieces. With three at the table we almost fell out over who should eat them as the lucky eater explained it was “love at first bite” – a wonderful combination of roasted Peking duck, cucumber, spring onion and hoisin sauce in an open pancake style dumpling. The combination of flavours and textures melted in the mouth and it was declared the highlight of our meal.

As the miniature masterpieces disappeared very quickly from the presentation basket, we all felt that dessert was a must and enjoyed custard buns which are dumplings filed with custard. Compared to the flavours in every bite of the main course, these lacked punch, but were a soft ending to the meal.

In accordance with Chinese tradition the meal was accompanied by vanilla tea. The drinks here are restricted to traditional drinks such as Beer Tsingtao and Japanese Wine as well as soft drinks to enable you to have as much of an authentic experience of dim sum as you can, while sitting in the middle of the old town in Paphos.

If you have never tried dim sum I would highly recommend Dim Sum Yum to experience the vast array of flavours. One of my fellow diners had enjoyed dim sum many times and she thought the food was of the highest quality and very authentic. With limited seating, I would advise getting there early and enjoying the food, but Dim Sum Yum is not really designed as a destination restaurant – more of a stop-off in between the wine bars and coffee houses during your meanderings around this picturesque old town of Paphos.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Dim sum

WHERE Dim Sum Yum, 10, Afroditis & Miaouli, 8015, Paphos

WHEN Monday to Saturday 11am to 9pm.

PRICE from €2.50 to €25 for a large basket

CONTACT 96 102909

The temperature is rising and the days are getting longer – summer is just around the corner. What better than enjoying a drink listening to the sounds of the waves and feeling that cool sea breeze? Being able to do just this at Lush on the Makenzie beach strip of Larnaca is just one of the reasons it has become such a summer hot spot over the last few years.

Lush is generally busy throughout the day and night during the summer season. So much so that if visiting in the evening in the summer it is highly recommended that a reservation is made.

Lush is a modern and trendy beach bar, reminiscent of something you may find on a beach in St Tropez. The tables, chairs and sun loungers out on the beach are all a clean, bright white. The large four poster bed style sun loungers are so popular that Lush have had to implement a minimum spend for people who occupy them.

The music played at Lush is always current, one drawback is that if you are sat outside, the powerful speakers blaring out the music can stifle any conversation! I’d recommend trying to find a table that is not too close to one of the speakers!

Lush boasts a wide variety of signature cocktails that all look professionally made. I opted for the Pisco Potion while my friend, not being able to decide whether they wanted a cocktail or a coffee went for an option that provides both – an Espresso Martini! One thing that impressed me was that Lush use fresh fruit and fruit purée in their cocktails as opposed to sugary syrups used by most places to give cocktails ‘flavour’. My cocktail had a brilliant mixture of sourness from the Pisco and lime juice, and sweetness from the fresh passion fruit all balanced out with just the right amount of orange bitters. A fantastically refreshing drink for the summer!

Keep an eye out on the Lush Facebook page if you like live music as they frequently host sell out events with big name singers from Greece and Cyprus. If you specifically enjoy Greek music, every Sunday from 9pm is Greek night.

For an afternoon drink on the beach or a night out, I always enjoy visiting Lush and recommend you give it a go!

Lush
When: round the clock seven days a week
Where: Mackenzie beach, Larnaca
Contact: 70008089

And now for something entirely different. When did you last eat in a brewery? In my case it was on the eve of the England-Wales game at Twickenham, 1968 for a private event. The centre piece was a huge poached Wye salmon accompanied by the finest cuts from the ovine, porcine and the bovine family. Young’s brewed the best beer in England and owned the finest pubs.

Many of the knowing ones regard Pivo as one of the capital’s best kept secrets, and may not appreciate bringing it to wider attention.

The venue is sited in what most would regard as a war-zone, not just on the buffer, but in it. The intrepid visitor might believe they were being directed to an ambush. Go to Phaneromeni with the school playground at your back, enter the darkened Asklipiou Street, walk past the magnificent old derelict mansions, and there like a beacon beckoning on Beachyhead is Pivo.

We arrived at 7pm and were shown to a table for two in an open courtyard surrounded by bright lights and the welcoming tones of the late great JJ Cale, which set the seal on the whole evening.

The establishment is run by a family of brothers and a cousin who have spent an unusual period of their young lives thinking, drinking and making beer. It seems time spent in the Czech state proved inspirational and a collaboration with a renowned Spanish brewer brought them to this beer heaven. I have not tasted any better for decades.

Mariana, our charming waitress, explained the way of the Pivo. We may order the special dishes of the day: Salmon, Chicken or Risotto, or choose from the menu that offers platters of baked sausages; meatballs in chilli or a cheese and deli mix. Two salads, six main dishes ranging though bacon, chops, chicken schnitzel – pork shank only on Friday and Saturday – and two vegetarian dishes, one curried. There is a wine list but I won’t mention it; why drink wine in a brewery?

The sausages must be the best thing to eat in a brewery, especially as they are cooked in beer. The companion ordered the schnitzel and we shared the Gorgonzola salad with fresh strips of apple and a berry dressing. It was the beer that really gripped the taste buds. Mine was the 3223, a classic Belgian style IPA brewed on the premises: it takes its name from the mileage between Nicosia and Bilbao. The flavour is riveting. The companion had the Czech black roasted beer.

My sausages were exactly as expected: five huge specimens with opposing pots of English and French mustard. The companion’s schnitzel disappointed, there was an insubstantial splash of mashed potato, and a drab line of mixed salad. The sausages were first rate.

We had the hot chocolate cake and ice-cream and a tiramisu that was served in a pint glass.

By nine o’clock the place is packed. We were greeted by our dentist, a regular, who was entertaining wife and friends. Then joined by friend and colleague, we were introduced to the brewers and taken around the magnificent copper tubs; everything is temperature controlled – not easy in our capital city.

All in, a splendid evening. Every shape, size, age, class, gathered around the Temple of Baccus to drink the best brew in Cyprus. But don’t tell everybody.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Beer
WHERE Pivo, Asklipiou 36, Phaneromeni, Nicosia
CONTACT 22 377088. Booking advisable. 150 seats
WHEN 7pm Wednesday to Sunday
PRICE Reasonable

You could be forgiven for missing Sushi-La on Larnaca’s seafront promenade as unlike other restaurants and cafés along the front there is no outside space. But tucked away in a corner, it does not miss out on custom. They offer a lunch time buffet every day and it never fails to draw in the crowds. If going for this offer, book ahead as there is very frequently a queue of people waiting for a table.

Sushi-La is not a very big restaurant but they utilise the space well. Upon entering, the buffet on the right stretches almost along the entire restaurant! Additionally, chefs are visible making the food that replenishes the buffet once the supplies are low.

One thing that impressed me was their concern for not wasting food. It is all too easy to pile up your plate at a buffet only to later realise that your eyes were bigger than your stomach. Sushi-La tries to make you think about this by having a penalty fee for food that is left on the plate. A good idea in my opinion!

The buffet starts with a selection of salads, my favourite was the vibrantly green and crunchy Wakame. Next up is the variety of different maki rolls. Despite being busy, the platters with the different dishes on are all very well presented. Be warned, there is not any sashimi included in the buffet so if that is something that you desire, then they must be ordered from the menu.

My favourite from the maki selection was the crispy sushi roll. A delicious sushi roll dipped in batter and deep fried, taking it up to another level. Other rolls included the all-time favourite California roll and salmon Nori. Additionally, there is a maki roll with chicken in case you don’t like the idea of raw fish but would like the experience of trying food made in this way.

After the long line of maki rolls, there are also some warm dishes such as rice, noodles and chicken wings to name just a few.

For those with a sweet tooth, and are able to fit more in after feasting on a buffet, there is good news! Dessert is included in the form of a variety of different sweets and mousses. Don’t be fooled by their small size as they are quite rich and one is just enough.

Children under six eat for free and for those between the ages of seven and 12 the price is a mere €5.95 per child. The buffet is not available on a Monday and its price is slightly more expensive at the weekend. Additionally, drinks are not included in the price.

I wouldn’t say that the quality of the food at Sushi-La is outstanding but for what you get at the price charged, it is definitely fantastic value for money and I would definitely recommend giving it a go.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Sushi

WHERE Sushi La, Phinikoudes, Larnaca

WHEN Tuesday to Sunday 1-3pm (Saturday and Sunday 1-4pm) 7.30-11pm

CONTACT 24 628884

PRICE lunchtime buffet €11.95

Is this yet another bar on the corner of a busy road? Yes, but this one has something special; a little thing called character. The Old Souls Drinking Bar, open since June 2017, first caught my eye while driving past during daylight. More specifically it was the huge stained glass entrance that’s both impressive and yet subtle. By night however, the front of the bar really comes into its own, not least because of all the people on the pavement but thanks to the copper glow emanating from behind the gorgeous stained glass.

Old Souls is predominantly a cocktail place. It has a small selection of wines and offers fancy individual bottles of Bianconero in white, red, sparkly and non sparkly varieties. Their heart and soul however is in the 20 something selection of cocktails on offer. Their Cherry Canary Gin is great. The slight sourness of the Blue Beetle Gin, lemon juice and Cherry Heering came to life when mixed with sugar syrup. It’s a professional drink that delivers the experience that it’s supposed to. Their most popular signature cocktail is the Captain’s Breeze, with premium vodka, mastiha and flavours of pink grapefruit and peach. They have a small selection of food platters.

The actual bar, which is lined with pretty, small mosaic tiles, is at the back of the space taking up a good sized right angle with nine comfy looking bar stools. It’s an attractive bar with international influences and one that invites you to go and sit. Overall, the design of the venue inside and out is interesting. There’s a gorgeous piece of art graffiti on one of the inside side walls and cacti living on the other corner. Adequately spaced high-tables with slightly lower petroleum cans as other tables follow the shape of the bar around the room.

Old Souls offers a different live DJ six nights a week, the DJs change every week to keep it fresh and to offer different styles of music nightly. Check out their Facebook page for DJ news.

Old Souls is on the busy street corner of Stasandrou and the bar is also shaped in a 90 degree corner which is interesting because from the inside, you can see people where ever you choose to perch. There are 130 seats inside and out and high tables and chairs run all the way around the corner outside the front. Expect crowds, especially during weekends, they don’t take reservations.

Old Souls
Where: Stasandrou 7, Nicosia
When: Summer opening hours Mon-Sat. Weekdays 5 pm-1am. Friday 5pm-2am, Saturday 7pm-2am
Prices: Bottled wines €18-27, Glass / individual bottle of Wine €4.50 – 6.50, Cocktails €7.50-10
Contact: www.facebook.com/TheOldSoulsDH

I recently stumbled across Temptations Tea House after a stroll around the new sculpture park in Yeroskipou in Paphos.

Set just off the central square and behind the church of Ayia Paraskevi, the recently opened venue serves a light lunch, snacks, cakes and cream teas.

Previously Rosie’s tea room, the new owners have revamped the interior and there is a lovely shaded area outside area to the back. Or choose to sit at the front and admire the beautiful Byzantine church.

Service is attentive and friendly and the menu is varied and includes all sorts of snacks: sausage rolls, a choice of sandwiches – even bacon baps. Paninis have fillings such as brie and cranberry, bacon melt, tuna mayo mix and others.

The ‘fresh locally made pork pie’ with salad and coleslaw, pickle and English mustard as an accompaniment was delicious and a reasonable €6.50. Ploughman’s lunch, quiche of the day and jacket potatoes with a choice of fillings are also available.

A good selection of teas are on offer, as well as coffee, milk shakes (Temptations freakshakes) and other soft drinks. There are also a few alcoholic beverages, such as beer and local wine available too.

Cakes, sponges, cheesecake, scones, tea cakes and pastries aren’t for those watching their waistlines, but everyone deserves a treat sometimes. It would be hard to visit here without ordering something to go with your tea or coffee. The tea house also offers cream teas and serves an afternoon tea buffet every Wednesday from 12pm- 4pm.

The interior is light and airy with sleek, clean lines and a modern feel. Cakes and desserts are on display in a cabinet and pastries, scones and other delights are placed temptingly on the shop counter.

Temptations is a good name for this café and there is lots of choice on the menu to suit most palates.

The venue also takes bookings for large parties, including Christenings and weddings that take place at nearby venues or the local church

Temptations Tea House

Where: Yeroskipou Square, 3 Nikis Street, Yeroskipou, Paphos

When: 9am to 6pm

Contact: 96 924444

It’s great to wander beyond the centre of Limassol and try some places you haven’t thought of before and that have recently opened their doors – The Woody in Episkopi is a prime example of that.

Located outside of the hustle and bustle of the city, it is a great place to get away from it all and enjoy a relaxing meal. Its menu consists of ‘pub food’ but with a gourmet twist making it absolutely tantalising.

So let’s start off with the meal. Being a huge lover of halloumi, the fried halloumi starter was a must have! Served beautifully in a large bowl with mixed greens, it was actually cooked the right amount therefore avoiding being too heavy. The pomegranate and sweet chili sauce gave the dish a refreshing and sweet taste. The same can be said for the garlic mushrooms as their pairing with the provolone topolino cheese was mouth-watering. However, the highlight of the starters is the chef’s must-try signature calamari, with part grilled and part fried calamari served with smoked fava bean puree, artichokes, raspberry vinegar, soy glaze and micro greens. The combination of flavours packs a punch of taste with each mouthful – it is simply good enough to be a main course. It’s not just about the taste though as the plating was amazing.

The main dishes are not as plentiful and as varied as the starters, but that is not necessarily a negative. This means they do a few dishes and they do them well, the kitchen is not overstocked with pre-prepared meals and everything is fresh, and this is exactly what I got with my experience there.

If you are a fan of pork, then this is the place for you with dishes like pork neck, pork knuckle and pork loin all served beautifully and all more than one person can handle (a normal person’s appetite that is). I went for the pork loin, that was cooked to perfection, with all is flavour coming out with every bite and that was paired with the hoisin and gravy sauce. The other star is the pork neck, with two cuts of pork neck each in their own individual marinade and served with accompanying sauces: one made from arugula, pesto Genovese and topped with four-year aged gouda and the other made with mixed greens, oregano and Italian dressing. All I can say is that everyone should try this, it was absolutely sensational.

The Woody is a great gourmet pub that will certainly give you a new obsession in the summer months. Even though the décor is basic pub, it is definitely worth a trip for the top quality food.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Pub food
WHERE 14 road n34, Episkopi, Limassol
WHEN 1pm to 2am
HOW MUCH Startes from €7.50, mains from €14
CONTACT 99 596972

At times I forget how lucky we are to live in Limassol, especially in the summer when the beach bars reemerge and you can enjoy them to the fullest. The experience of sitting by the side of the beach and listening to the sound of the waves wash away your everyday stress is unparalleled, and you can’t get closer to the beach than Puesta Oyster bar and grill.

There is no road access and you have to walk from the beach walkway (from Four Seasons) to reach it. The fact that it is so cut off from the main roads really offers a quiet and relaxing ambience that can be enjoyed by everyone. Its classy nautical décor gives the place an air of elegance that further adds to the promising experience. Great staff is another plus to the bar, and you are always well attended to.

Being an oyster bar, the prime thing that must be had is white wine and with a rather wide variety the list will not disappoint. There is simply nothing like sitting watching the sunset and biting into deliciously fresh oysters while washing them down with a cool white wine. If you are looking for a twist, their sangria is also worthy of note. Other than white wine, Puesta offers all the conventional drinks although there is nothing groundbreaking about its drinks. That said, the cocktails will not disappoint.

However, it goes without saying that a lot of bars are about the experience and not solely the drink and I could not recommend Puesta oyster bar and grill more, simply for the overall experience. In its surroundings it’s a great break from the routine and a great way to enjoy island life.

Puesta Oyster Bar

Where: Amathountos Avenue 42, Agios Tychonas, Limassol

When: 9am – 1am

Contact: 25 329040

By Sarah Coyne

There is a common understanding that for a business to continue to thrive it must evolve to suit consumers’ taste and present new products. The Annabelle Hotel, which was the first five-star hotel in Paphos, has just pulled off such an evolution with the opening of its new Ouranos Restaurant and Bar as part of its €10 million renovation. The hotel has created a restaurant and cocktail bar on the top floor of its newly-built extension stocked with no less than 45 different varieties of gin and 25 malt whiskies.

As such, the restaurant offers superb views of the sea and the sleek interior is as impressive, having been designed by an interior designer from Paris. The restaurant is managed by mixologist Alexandros Mavrikis.

Alexandros comes originally from Athens and has practised the art of mixing cocktails all over the world in and is able to describe a drink in terms of flavour, suitable foods to accompany it and alcohol content in addition to suggesting new mixes for old classics. The Scottish gin & tonic he mixed for my friend was like no g&t he had ever tasted before and having polished one off, demanded another surprise mix which was duly delivered.

Chef Laurent Brun has designed a menu to echo the concept of tapas, eating small samples of the very best food from Cyprus and the world – “a combination of world cuisine using new techniques”. From an extensive menu of over 28 savoury dishes including meat, fish and vegetables, our party selected several platters.

We all enjoyed the Kushi chicken which had Japanese yakitori, spring onions, mirin and soya sauce; tuna maguro which was flamed sashimi with sesame ponzu sauce; Andalusian-style sautéed prawns; Lima scallops with red chilli and fresh coriander and seared black angus tataki with oyster sauce. The black angus was our favourite dish as it was very different from any beef we had previously tasted and quite literally melted in the mouth. The food was excellent, beautifully presented and surprisingly plentiful. It is most definitely a different take on traditional dishes. Vegetarians are very well catered for with many vegetable and cheese dishes ranging from spanakopita, a spinach and cheese pie, to pilpal, which is crispy falafel with cumin and coriander plus many more options.

For the final course there is choice of 12 desserts under four headings which should appeal to all – Tea, Herbs, Nuts and Chocolate. We indulged in a pistacia, which is a raspberry and pistachio cake. The Chengdu, a dark chocolate and Szechuan pepper tart was especially delicious with the wonderful combination of sweet and spicy.

Ouranos is definitely the latest place to be seen in in Paphos and on the night we dined there it was very busy with trendy locals and hotel guests, so booking would be advised. They hold regular entertainment nights with live singing and DJs. Definitely the new hot spot for Summer Nights of eating and drinking in style in Paphos. Mentioning style, they have a very strict dress code of smart casual for dinner which means no shorts, flip flops or sports attire.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY small plates, gin, whisky

WHERE Ouranos Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, Annabelle Hotel, Poseidonos Avenue, Paphos

CONTACT 26 885000

WHEN 8am-1am, Lunch: 12.30pm-5pm, Afternoon Tea: 3pm-8pm, Dinner: 6pm-midnight

PRICE from €6 to €14

It’s that time again. World Cup fever is gripping everyone. People who don’t usually show any interest get caught up in the excitement and find themselves screaming at a TV! Whether you are supporting Germany, Brazil, Russia or Saudi Arabia, there is nothing better than a nice cold beer and perhaps some snacks to go with it when watching a match. If the beer and snacks grabbed your attention half as much as world cup fever has then a fantastic place to go is to The Meeting Pub.

On the Finikoudes stretch, the family run pub can cater to almost everybody’s needs. It is very family friendly but take care if you go with the kids as they’ll empty your wallet devouring the milkshakes and ice-cream!

One thing you notice when entering is the wide screen TVs dotted around the pub so that no matter where you sit, you will always have a good view of the match.

The tables and chairs in the outside area are akin to garden furniture but it works somehow and gives it a homely feeling. More importantly, they were comfortable too. Contributing to the homely feeling is the wooden décor inside the pub. One thing that struck me as I approached the bar was the amount of taps they have! This isn’t your regular pub that serves two types of beer! If memory serves me well, there were at least nine. How’s that for variety?

Despite having heard plenty about the jumbo sized pork chop and toying with the idea of also getting something to eat, I noticed somebody having the English breakfast and my mind was made up. Proper English sausages, perfectly made eggs and crispy bacon meant it was an absolute steal at only €5!

If you get to the pub before a match and the beer, food and beach view are still not enough for you, there is a pool table to keep you occupied!

A modest and welcoming pub with a fantastic selection of beers and good food at very reasonable prices by the sea, it’s hard to find a reason why you shouldn’t go. I highly recommend it.

The Meeting Pub
Where: Athina Ave, Phinikoudes, Larnaca
When: 7 days a week
Contact: 24 656893

A ‘What’s New’ in Cyprus flashed across my screen revealing a gleaming, cavernous dining room in a familiar area that once housed the legendary Abu Faysal. The carnivores will recognise the site as it was previously occupied by Zebra, whose proprietors had a very limited vegan menu.

As I have been campaigning for an increase in worthy ethnic establishments in our capital, I am always delighted to welcome another, although it appears the trend follows trouble, which comes not singly but in battalions. There are close on a dozen Oriental diners in the centre of town, and now we have one specialising in East Asian cuisine: a bold claim. The eastern part of the continent is geographically the land of the Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian, Korean, Taiwanese and of course their dependants: Hong Kong and Macau. What a range. My companion and I were most eager to sample the fare, hoping not to be compromised by any canine or reptilian dishes, but nevertheless full of enthusiasm for this exciting venture.

If space, decor, charm, pulchritude and service can carry a business to success then East Asia has no problems. Our host, Perseas, previously connected to Taste of India and the long forgotten Mephil, took us to a table for two in a well-spaced, bright dining room and introduced our waitress, the delightful Yiannoula, so knowledgeable of our native wines.

The menu contained hundreds of dishes, soups, starters, spicy and otherwise and was equally divided between the sub-continent and China. Not a whisper of the exotic from Mongolia or Korea. And, moreover, we were to ignore the Indian cuisine, even the Tandoor and concentrate on the Chinese. Why? Because the chef is Chinese. Poor Perseas’ kitchen is controlled by the jobsworths at the ministry of labour who have not approved his request for the qualified staff.

Chinese it is. Forgoing the Hot Sour Soup, usually a favourite, we order the Prawn Dim Sum, followed by Salt Caked Chili Pork Ribs with two hot sauces and a spread of Fried Seaweed, these were served with the usual suspects. I was disappointed to receive the Jasmine Tea in a bag with a little metal teapot of hot water instead of the Chinese porcelain. The dumplings were first rate as were the ribs. The only item missing on the vast starter line-up was pickled jellyfish. From the main list we chose Szechuan Duck; Strips of Crispy Chilli Beef and Egg Fried Rice. There were nine different duck dishes and every other Chinese meal one expects to see on a menu in Europe. The duck lacked the bite I anticipated, and the beef was chewy and overdone. Otherwise, when the proprietor can arm-wrestle the administration into allowing him access to the gentlemen in toques, I am sure he will attract the numbers he deserves to take up the 125 covers in such pleasant surroundings. He opens only for dinner every day – there is ample parking and no intrusive music.

Quite a pleasant evening; I look forward to the rest of the continent.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Oriental

WHERE 41-43 Klimentos Street, Nicosia.

CONTACT 22 270127, eastnicosia@gmail.com

PRICE Not unreasonable

42 varieties of Tequila, a spacious Mexican-inspired garden and a cool breeze brushing the summer heat away is exactly what you’ll meet at Nicosia’s first and only Tequila Bar; the aptly named Sinners Tequila Bar.

Sinners, which came recommended by professionals in the bar industry, offers Nicosia something refreshingly new. It’s colourful but not garish, it has an impressive range of tequilas and its eucalyptus and bougainvillea covered outdoor space is the mecca of summer friendly outdoor drinking spaces. It’s a great hangout for groups of friends or couples wanting to enjoy a chilled and breezy upbeat atmosphere.

Opened in March 2018, other than offering a buffet of tequila and mezcal to choose from, Sinners has 11 signature cocktails (many using tequila as a base), a variety of spirits, eight different beers and one type of white, red and rosé wine. The owner (who has years of experience working in UK tequila bars) wished to give people an opportunity to explore the intricacies and complexities of this greatly underappreciated drink. Shots of tequila and its distinctively smokey predecessor mezcal vary from familiar brands to some highly impressive specialties, including one of the most unique spirits I have ever tasted! I am referring to Del Maguey’s Pechuga Mezcal, a one of a kind experience and worth every cent. The journey begins with layers upon layers of distinguishable savoury and smoked aromas, then, when the smooth liquid inevitably hits the tastebuds, an explosion of wonderful confusion occurs, with a multi-sensory flavour different to the aroma. It’s a treat to the palate and nose, which could partially be due to its distillation process (let’s just say raw chicken was used!).

The staff know their tequila and are happy to work with you to establish your taste requirements for the evening: peppery, smooth, aged? Another interesting twist to the tequila experience, is that they serve up the liquor apparently in an authentic Mexican style, that is, no lemon or salt in sight. Instead, it’s served as a shot and followed up by a non-alcoholic Verdita (mild and fruity) or Sangrita (spicy) chaser. Their favourite cocktail is the Paloma, made with Occho tequila, agave syrup, lime juice and grapefruit soda.

Sinners has guest DJs twice a week and on occasion do special events, which last time included a Piñata! See their Facebook page for updates.

The venue is a very spacious basement bar with a huge outdoor secluded yard canopied with old trees and hanging plants among the multi-coloured lanterns. It’s situated in the old town near Famagusta gate but you will have to look carefully for the small red neon Sinners sign and the side entrance which leads directly into the garden.

Happy hour every day from 6-8pm offers all cocktails for €6.

Sinners Tequila Bar

Where: Athinas 16-17, Nicosia

When: Tuesday – Sunday. Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday 6pm – 1am, Friday & Saturday 6pm – 3am

Price: Shots of Tequilas & Mezcal €4-20, Cocktails €7-9

Contact: www.facebook.com/sinnerstequilabar/ Tel: 99 595132

When thinking about where to go to eat we sometimes think about going somewhere by the sea, or with a nice view, or in a quaint village. Sometimes though, it’s nice to have something a little different with more of a city feeling. Somewhere that still lets you enjoy the good food while appreciating the contrast of the relaxed environment and the hustle and bustle outside can be found at Marzano, offering the flavours of Italy.

An array of tasty salads, pizza, pasta and grilled food is on offer. In an aim to please all, despite having many pizzas to choose from, including the option to choose a pizza that may have previously been on offer but has been taken off the menu.

When going in the evening, Marzano has a soft blue lighting that really adds to the ambience giving a classy and different feeling. The tables gleam and are spotless, well laid and all very uniform. The ceilings are high so even if it is relatively full, you won’t feel drowned out by the sound of conversation from all the other tables. Another touch that really impressed me was that the paintings on the walls are by a local artist and are of Larnaca past and present.

When looking through the menu so many dishes caught my eye. I hadn’t intended on getting salad but so many were tempting. The pizzas all sounded so good, one with duck topping nearly drew me in. I love grilled food, and the choice of steaks, fish, pork medallions was almost mind boggling! I finally opted for something that I thought combined them all. Tagliatelle Pollo had the meat I desired, vegetables and a cream cheese sauce. My partner, loving a bit of spice, opted for the American hot pizza. The menu also has many dishes that include ‘superfoods’, combining ingredients such as quinoa, avocado and beetroot. With the salads looking so tempting, we ordered one to have as a starter between us, the Rucola with avocado and beetroot.

At Marzano, you can see the chefs preparing the food, dashing about, working as an organised team. Most importantly, you can see how clean everything is.

The salad we had was fantastic. Fresh vegetables and dressed to perfection. The combination of flavours worked so well together. Finally, our main dishes arrived. Still piping hot, we couldn’t wait to tuck in! One thing I will say is that the servings are very generous. Don’t be deceived by the very large bowl making the food look like it is a smaller quantity, once you dig in you realise just how much has been put in front of you. The pasta was cooked perfectly. The cream was not too rich and the chicken very tender. The pizza was a good size too. The base was thin and crispy, just like an authentic Italian pizza you’d have in the back streets of Rome and my dining partner assured me it had a good warmth to it.

Marzano have a lunch time offer: for just €10.85 you can enjoy a main dish from the lunchtime selection, a dessert and a soft drink. Additionally, if you feel like having a good lunch while someone else takes care of the kids, on the weekends Marzano has a clown, face painting and someone making balloon animals as entertainment.

I would most definitely go back to Marzano. I actually have in mind what I might choose from the menu next time! In my opinion, the grilled food was a little on the pricey side but the rest was very reasonably priced. Good food, good atmosphere and good service mean that I would definitely recommend a visit to Marzano.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY simple Italian
WHERE Marzano, Makarios Avenue III & Kalogreon, Larnaca
CONTACT 24 657000
WHEN 12pm-11pm
PRICE Salads from €9.40, pizzas around €10

The Britannia bar and restaurant in Kato Paphos is a popular meeting point for both expat and holiday makers, mostly Brits, who like the taste of home.

Set up in a traditional British pub style – the name rather gives it away – The Britannia is a stalwart of Paphos nightlife and welcomes repeat customers holidaying in the coastal town year after year. They serve great ‘pub grub’ and offer a wide variety of live music.

The atmosphere is relaxed is this family friendly venue.

Britannia is much more than a meeting place, with regular top notch live entertainment on most nights, including a Friday night drag act by Ms Debonair, live bands, karaoke and quiz nights.

All sorts of international fare is available on the reasonably priced menu and best sellers include Chinese Bang Bang chicken at €11, full English breakfast and a traditional British Sunday Roast, priced well at €8.99. Chef’s specialities include steak and ale pie and take away dishes are also available.

If you want to steer clear of all things British while living or holidaying abroad then obviously this isn’t the venue for you. But this is a fun place with a good selection of local and imported beers and wines and well-made cocktails, including all of the usual favourites. Sex on the Beach is a best seller and priced at €5.

A good variety of coffees, teas and soft drinks are also served and staff are friendly and helpful. They have a good knowledge of all things local and are a vital source of information for visiting tourists.

Awarded a certificate of excellence for 2018 by Trip Advisor, this venue is open seven days a week from 10am until late.

High profile sporting events are also shown on a number of widescreen TVs and free wi-fi is also on offer.

Why not give it a try.

Britannia Bar and Restaurant

Where: Constantinides Street, Kato Paphos

Contact: 99 850971 or The Britannia Bar Paphos on Facebook

When: daily from 10am

Price: Cocktails from €5

When a nod to the fancier, more gourmet choices appeared on the cards it was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. Let’s be honest, fine dining is not something that many attempt weekly, it is saved for an occasional treat – but when you decide to indulge, where should you splurge to enjoy the best food on offer? One of the best establishments in the Limassol fine dining scene is the small French restaurant located in the tourist area, La Maison Fleurie.

La Maison Fleurie has long been a staple in Limassol, a small family-run restaurant (one of the few left) that opened its doors in the 80s and has worked non-stop ever since. Walking into the restaurant you are greeted by a French boutiquey retro vibe, that in a way manages to draw you into the whole French culinary experience – the accompaniment of French music throughout the meal also adds a cute touch. The staff, the family itself, are absolutely wonderful and work had to make your experience there a memorable one.

The menu itself is classic French fine dining, so if you are a fan you are in for a treat and even if you are not but are a food lover then this is a place you shouldn’t ignore. We started the meal with a smoked duck salad and fresh oysters. The smoked duck was simply wonderful and was paired with a fantastic onion jam – an interesting sounding combination that was well judged. The same went for the superbly fresh oysters, which are actually flown from France and delivered right to your table. To all those seafood lovers out there, the oysters are a must have. Almost as much of a temptation was the homemade pate and foie grass. We stuck to the goose foie grass and were not disappointed but the duck, boar and rabbit options are all certain to put a smile on your face.

A great touch to the meal was during the ‘intermission’ between starters and main course, we were delightfully offered a complimentary sorbet to cleanse our palate and signal our move. For a main we tried the restaurant specialty Duck Marco Polo, which is a duck leg cooked in a mouthwatering mushroom sauce. The duck itself was cooked to perfection and with every bite the meat was so tender that you just couldn’t wait to move on to the next bite. Other main courses include salmon, deer, steak tartar and veal. No matter what you choose, the meat selection is guaranteed to be cooked well and satisfy even the toughest critic.

The meal though does not end there as for desert you are presented with a platter of all the available deserts to pick. We plumped for the panacotta and the crème brulee, the perfect ending to a delightful meal.

La Maison Fleurie is a great option for a fine dining expedition – and that is what this truly is – no steak and chips here. For those ready for an exciting and new culinary experience this is the place to be.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY French Cuisine

WHERE La Maison Fleurie, 18 Christaki Kranou, Limassol

CONTACT 25 320680