Smack in the middle of the summer heat, a refreshing drink is really what we are all after. And the bar I went to even offered some relief from the other all consuming obsession at the moment, the World Cup. I enjoyed a relaxing drink washed down by the calm and soothing waves of the sea at Marina Breeze Lounge Bar, a place that has recently undergone a mini-facelift and added a deck that means you are literally drinking on the water.

The décor itself has an air of elegance, that adds to the sense of laidback luxury. This, paired with great service, with a smile at all times, creates a great drinking experience whether it is late in the afternoon, the most ideal in my mind, or later at night.

The bar itself, the décor, the ambience begets wine and Marina Breeze Bar has a fantastic variety of wines from all around the globe, whether it is the local favourites, French and Italian classics or New World tastes. Either way, affordable or more luxe options are available.

Nevertheless, if a cocktail is what you are looking for, the place offers different cocktails with the spirit of your choice – gin, rum etc. in addition to those inspired a little closer to home with a base of mastiha or commandaria. The Commandaria Cobbler, a divinely refreshing cocktail, is made with Commandaria, obviously, paired with strawberry puree, fresh lemon, sugar syrup and angostura bitters. The combination of the sweet Commandaria and strawberry puree, paired with the tangy lemon and bitters creates an incredible, and balanced palette of flavour. Nevertheless, more refreshing cocktails are made with aperol or Prosecco that are guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face. Moreover, their homemade sangria is something that is dying to be tasted while the sun is setting over the deck.

With an even larger variety of drinks, and mixers, Marina Breeze Lounge Bar is one that will not disappoint this summer and it is begging to be tried. Just bear in mind that the deck does have limited seating, therefore pre-booking, especially during busy periods, might be the most prudent as to avoid disappointment. The Bar also has platters and dishes and brunch on offer that become the perfect pairing to your drink, creating all the essential elements for success.

Marina Breeze Lounge Bar

Where: Limassol Marina

Contact: 25 051230

One of the great joys for me of living in the Mediterranean is the seemingly infinite variations of the same dishes. The different combinations of herbs and spices that produce the signature taste of different countries. Also the country-by-country speciality dishes that mark out the different areas around the region, all underlined by the basics of lamb, pork, chicken, chickpeas and lentils and unleavened bread.

The Marrakech Restaurant on the coast road in Kissonerga is a prime example of Mediterranean cooking at its best. Chef/Owner Sam Burgess, who is half Lebanese and half Iranian, allows her origins to come through in her cooking with her choice of herbs and spices and specialises in dishes from Morocco and Lebanon. Starters include pastilla, a Morrocan pie of filo pastry filled with spiced chicken, crushed almonds, scrambled eggs and covered with icing sugar. Main courses feature Lebanese dawood pasha which is meatballs cooked in a tomato sauce served with rice or a Moroccan tagine of beef, chicken or fish.

Chef Sam trained in patisserie and then elected to specialise in the “hot kitchen” in Lebanese and Morroccan cooking. She has quite literally cooked all over the world; in Zanzibar, The Maldives, Thailand, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Scotland and India. Now she has brought all this knowledge to Cyprus where she has made her home and opened just over a year ago The Marrakesh in Paphos.

The restaurant is spacious with comfy chairs and tables laid out a nice distance apart from each other. Decorated with Morrocan lamps and rugs, it looks particularly lovely after dark as the lamps twinkle against the dark sky. We were warmly welcomed by our Moroccan waiter, Noor, dressed in traditional costume.

He had a good knowledge of the menu and we went with his advice to try two tagines instead of the very popular meze (consisting of approx eight dishes) which is also available as a vegetarian option.

Everything is cooked to order so it is not fast food, but the wait was certainly worth it when two authentic tagine dishes arrived at the table piping hot. The first one, Sam’s signature lamb tagine with prunes, was a New Zealand lamb shank cooked with prunes, almonds and apricots. But what makes it so different are the 32 blended spices which she adds to the sauce. It was excellent served with rice. The other tagine was her seafood variety which consisted of fish, calamari, king prawns and mussels. This came in a light sauce which didn’t overpower the fish flavours at all.

We were then lucky enough to experience one of the restaurant’s daily specials: spiced rice and chicken cooked in bread. The idea is just to eat the rice inside the bread as, in this instance, the bread is a cooking utensil to produce a unique and complicated flavour in the rice which we loved. A new culinary experience for both of us.

With Sam’s patisserie background you would have high hopes for the final course here and we were not disappointed after enjoying Marrakech’s signature Chocolate Brownie with ice cream. Her expertise came thorough with the perfect balance of melted gooey chocolate in the middle. The desert menu is limited but varies with daily specials such as apple crumble which is cooked from scratch to order and Arabic sweets.

The Marrakech is a little oasis on the busy road from Paphos to Coral Bay where Moroccan and Lebanese food can be enjoyed with a wide variety of both local and international wines. Having cooked for two American president, Sam still awaits our own President Nicos Anastasiades to pass by and sample her food.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Moroccan and Lebanese
WHERE The Marrekech Restaurant, Mediterranean Plaza, Chrysoneras Avenue, Paphos
CONTACT 99 283566
WHEN Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 3 pm for brunch menu, 6pm – 11pm dinner menu.
PRICE from €6.50 – €22

If someone recommended a bar to you in the Mackenzie area of Larnaca your mind would most likely think of one of the places along the sea front. However, tucked away just behind a car park on the opposite side of the road you’ll find a little restaurant that has, over the last few years, transformed one half in to a bar.

Upon arrival we entered the car park and things were looking bleak, however, our luck was in when we spotted a designated area for customers of Salamis. When we approached Salamis, as it was not too busy at the time, owner Petros happened to be at the entrance and we were welcomed with a friendly, smiling face. We also noticed the many signs showing special offers on different cocktails but my priority that day was to watch the World Cup. When we told Petros, he guided us towards the bar area and asked us what language we wanted the commentary in and led us to a table with a great view of one of the many screens.

Even in the bar area, you are offered a menu in case you also fancy a bite to eat. Despite looking quite tempting, we just ordered beers in preparation for the match. Especially in this heat, a beer has to be cold! The large bottle of Keo was brought not only very cold with glasses that had been kept in the fridge but also with a sleeve around the bottle with cooling packs so that the beer didn’t warm up. I was impressed.

After our first round of drinks I remembered the special offers on cocktails that I had spotted on the way in. Being a hot summer’s day I thought I would try a Mojito for my next drink. And as I was in what is basically a sports bar ordering a special offer I wasn’t expecting much. The drink arrived well presented. Plenty of mint and what looked like half a lemon cut in half. Unlike Mojitos I have had elsewhere in actual cocktail bars, it wasn’t completely filled with ice which of course, limits the amount of drink! As I supped I noticed I didn’t taste the grains of sugar that you usually get when drinking Mojito yet it still had that hint of sweetness. I wrongly assumed that some sort of syrup had been used but later found out that dark, soft, brown sugar had been used instead so it had dissolved in to the drink. I liked the idea of that a lot.

If you fancy having a well-made, reasonably priced cocktail or an ice cold beer while watching a match, Salamis fulfils all those needs and is worth a visit.

Salamis

Where: Mackenzie Beach, Larnaca

When: all day every day

How much:

Contact: 24 623761

According to the late greatly lamented Anthony Bourdain in his autobiography Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly a great deal of carnal activity took place on or someplace in the kitchen, but he never ascribed it to the fish. Caviar and bivalves feature, but it’s the occasion and the companion, not the creatures; so he claimed. QED.

The capital is inundated with restaurants that insist on being ‘yumi’, ‘yummy’, ‘skinny’, ‘spicy’ and many more I am sure. Therefore, why not Sexy Fish? Perhaps it is a sprite from the previous establishment on the site, where the young ladies of the city found the handsome young Greek staff most annoyingly attentive – sometimes.

We arrived on a quiet Tuesday evening which wasn’t surprising given that the place hasn’t yet been allocated a contact slot with our communications giant. Can’t book; passing traffic only.

Ninety covers, inside and out: we prefer the comfort of the air conditioning. Nice set-up. It’s simply decorated with some Piscean murals. Stavros, our waiter, presents the menu which is simple and written in Greek and English; there are no surprises in the eight starters and eight main dishes with one salad. Madam companion spots a favourite dish: smoked aubergine; we supported it with the Saganaki, shrimps and feta in a viscid tomato sauce, and added a plate of baby kalamari.

The Fish has an interesting wine list. The Greek Malvasia-Raptis estate wines are very well priced and rewarding, reminding my companion of a Chablis but more favourably priced. Regular readers of this column know I suggest an Ouzo as the aperitif for any fishy evening, and was grateful to Stavros for introducing us to Varvagianni that is distilled to two strengths of ABV Blue or Green. Go for Green, it’s a cracker.

For the main courses we chose Tsipoura (fresh bream) which was served with ‘mountain vegetables’ – strouthkia? and potatoes. And in the interest of readers a platter of seafood for two containing a selection of baby kalmari, crispy shrimps, sand smelts (Osmeridae family) deep fried and tiny, and the ever mysterious Catch of the Day. It’s no good asking the staff, they would need a degree in marine biology. But, it was definitely very fresh little fishes cooked to perfection. Baskets of oven hot bread appeared twice during the meal.

The starter eggplant was more smoked against than smoked – very little flavour – an encounter with a little Origanum dubium might help.

The fish we consumed was steaming fresh on arrival, but the platter would improve if it could be encouraged to retain some heat.

All agreed, an enjoyable event. Early days for Andreas the owner. He knows his way around our capital and the location is perfect – there must be 20 car-parks within a five-minute walk. Constantinos and Stavros have the professional manner and will do well although neither knew why it was Sexy. I noticed some music when we entered but it faded as the evening improved.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Fish
WHERE Onasagorou 45-47. Inside the old city
CONTACT 22-666600, anstef@cytanet.com.cy
PRICE Reasonable: Dinner only

With a scorching August pending, many city dwellers will be retreating to the turquoise east shores for their holidays, so why not take a trip off the beaten track and spend a lazy summer night chilling in the unlikely village of Dherynia? Enjoy great cocktails, food and live music at a bar voted by Time Out 2018 as one of best places to eat and drink in Cyprus for under €20. The bar in question is The Cinnamon Lounge Bar, an unexpected top notch venue close enough to the beach and far enough away from the chaotic local nightlife that it is suitable for all the family.

Cinnamon Bar lives in the sleepy village but manages to function as a funky modern gastro bar with a vintage feel; a place where old Cyprus meets new in a backyard. It’s a classy, attractively designed, restored old house.

The bar offers well over 30 (and rising) creatively crafted and presented cocktails; 22 signature and 12 classics. Their most popular cocktail is the Cinnamon, a subtle sweet and sour drink with hints of cinnamon and pink peppercorns presented with dried apple rings and a smoking cinnamon stick in a glass bowl; it’s fun having to hold it with both hands! Then there’s the Harvest, one of the most impressive presentations I’ve seen in a while. It comes in a locally handmade wooden box with moss, a slice of dried pomegranate and a smouldering pine cone. The Diplomatico Reserva rum used, is served up in a glass pipe like drinking vessel, it’s pleasantly strong and mixed with bitters and pink grapefruit. Wine wise, they offer a small and specific selection of Greek and Cypriot wines.

Despite its focus on design and originality, there’s something quintessentially familiar and yesteryear about the place, and there’s certainly nothing quite like it for kilometres around. On entering the bar, there are two large rooms with high ceilings, seating 85 people during winter months. To the right, there’s a couch stretching along the entire wall, then wooden tables and cushioned chairs dotted around the centre. In the second smaller room, there are high tables and chairs but in summer the action moves outside into the yard surrounded by their homegrown herbs and spices (used in the cocktails and food.) Outdoors is spacious and can seat 95 people very comfortably. The atmosphere is super relaxed and it’s a pleasure to watch people of all ages nattering under the stars.

Parking is not easy, however, drive slowly and you’ll spot a small car park opposite the bar. It’s certainly worth a visit during live events. The strums of acoustic guitars, moonlight and hypnotising vocals, especially of the talented Elena Anagiotou, are an ethereal experience. Different events are posted on their Facebook page and booking is advised. Lounge music is usually played as background when no events are on.

Cinnamon Lounge Bar
Where: 8 Demokratias, Deryneia
When: Monday to Thursday 9am-12am. Friday-Sunday 9-1am
Price: Wines by the glass €3.50, bottles €13-40, Cocktails €7-12
Contact: www.facebook.com/CinnamonLoungeBar, Tel: 23 828292

If somebody recommended a taverna in a small village, 15 minutes outside of Larnaca, you would assume that it is just another traditional restaurant with the standard meze, possibly with a few dishes that aren’t expected but still nothing too extravagant. Going to To Patrikon taverna in Tersefanou, I’m almost ashamed to say that this is more or less what I expected. But the family-run taverna that has been perfecting the art of creative Cypriot cuisine for the last three and a half years haven’t just added their own twist to local food, they’ve turned it on its head!

As we arrived at the restaurant, we were greeted and promptly shown to our table. The restaurant is quite small so due to the summer heat, we had requested an outside table which was on the pavement. While this may not sound appealing it wasn’t a problem at all. It actually felt more private as we were not too close to other tables.

Soon after sitting, one of the brothers came over to our table to greet us and explain the concept of the restaurant. He seemed very passionate and proud of what they do, explaining that all ingredients are locally sourced. One thing that also impressed me was that the restaurant promotes drinks that are local. He showed us a beer they have on the menu from a small, local brewery based in Nicosia and even knew every detail about the different types. He explained that to offer variety not only on the night and to continually use ingredients that are fresh and in season, the restaurant changes parts of the menu every three months!

After meeting this passionate gentleman and hearing what he had to say, we were excited to see what was coming.

We started off with hot, homemade bread, a small dish combining celery and apple, an aubergine dip, a ‘wild roots’ salad that was slightly bitter but balanced out with the addition of some fruit and a regular tomato, cucumber and onion salad. It was all delicious and left us wanting more!

The food kept coming and the combinations were mind boggling yet worked perfectly. One that stands out was the baby squid with caramelised pastourma (semi spicy village sausage) for a kick with a base of fava, sweet quince and a hint of lavender. It sounds like a lot to take in and not really a combination that you would think of putting together, but eating it, you could pick out each flavour. The soft texture of the well-cooked squid, the sweetness of the quince, the aroma of lavender and finally that little kick from the sausage. Amazing! I asked one of the brothers how they think up with such combinations; he joked and said that they come to them in their dreams!

Pickled vine leaves with chicken liver and trachanas stuffing, cauliflower with ocra and tahini are just a couple of other dishes that were so well combined. No flavours were too overpowering so as to take away from the enjoyment of others. They even had their own take on sieftalia! Made with lamb meat and coated with ‘tsipa’ (the top layer of yogurt) and topped with quails’ eggs was another favourite of mine. The sieftalia were light on the outside, brilliantly seasoned and melted in the mouth.

I’ll mention just one more dish. The dessert. Meringue, mousse and syrup all made from carob combined together was fantastic. My partner who doesn’t have a particularly sweet tooth joked I’d have a whole dessert to myself but it was so good that she couldn’t resist and we both really enjoyed a perfect ending to such a wonderfully creative feast!

Get to To Patrikon to give your taste buds a roller coaster ride and experience the fantastic food made by what seem to be the pioneers in a new age of Cypriot cuisine.

SPECIALTY Cypriot with a twist
WHERE To Patrikon, Dionysis Solomou, Tersephanou
WHEN Thursday to Sunday 7.30pm to midnight
CONTACT 24 424831

It’s all about the location at Blue Diamond seaside café in Geroskipou, Paphos which opened opposite the municipality beachfront just over a year ago.

Glorious sweeping views of the shimmering Mediterranean Sea and the long stretch of beach provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing visit to this café, which has a lovely contemporary feel.

Decked out in hues of blue and white, the décor is well thought out and fitting of the location and tables and chairs- which are comfortable- are well spaced. The menu is extensive, providing an array of snacks, such as sandwiches, and more substantial dishes including, meat, poultry and seafood dishes, pastas, risottos and salads. Customers may also choose fresh oysters and lobster from an indoor display tank.

Open daily for a late breakfast from around 10am, Blue Diamond also serve lunch and dinner. This is also a lovely place in Geroskipou to sit, admire the view and enjoy a glass of something or a coffee.

The wine list offers a good selection of local and imported wines at reasonable prices and the drinks list includes all sorts of spirits, beer- both draft and bottled, cider, ‘mocktails’ and tea and coffee.

Staff are friendly and welcoming, but service can be somewhat haphazard (although it was a training day on my visit) and service is slow. We waited a considerable amount of time for a cheese platter to share, to accompany a good quality chilled glass of white wine and a large Keo beer.

A children’s play area and landscaped garden to the front of the venue is a bonus for families and a roof top terrace provides breath-taking views of the sea. However, this is currently only open by booking ahead and used mostly for larger parties and special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and christenings.

Blue Diamond is a relaxed café by the sea and if you like taking in the view, and aren’t in a hurry, then this is a good spot to do it.

Blue Diamond Seaside Café Tel: 7000 9031

info@bluediamondcyprus.com

Agapinoros Street 89, Geroskipou, Paphos

Sometimes the heat and humidity of the coastal strip in July and August becomes too much for even the most avid of sun worshippers in my house: hence the cry of “let’s head for the hills”.

What a joy to drive up to the mountains above Paphos and feel the air lighten and cool around you. On such a trip the thought of food is inevitable and Imogen’s Inn Taverna in the centre of the picturesque mountain village of Kathikas will satisfy even the most demanding of weary travellers.

As you step, blinking from the sunlight, into the cool dark courtyard all shaded with fig trees, you know you are in for a treat. Be careful though, the restaurant is situated down a narrow entrance, so it’s easy to miss. The courtyard is inviting with tables spread with red and white check cloths and the quiet chatter of happy clients, accompanied by the gentle clinking of crockery and delicious aromas. The inside area for colder days is creatively decorated with a vast selection of ancestral photos and posters.

Imogen’s Inn Taverna, which opened in 1996, is most certainly a family affair. The chef (leading a large team) is the charming Marina Neofitou, who comes from a family of restaurateurs. Her Cypriot parents, who were born in Egypt, had a restaurant in London and she was taught to cook by her mother. Her recipes are family favourites and are a closely guarded secret. Front of house, her partner Apostolos Vlachas and their son Paris serve the customers. The restaurant is named after their daughter Imogen. The spices that Marina grew up with are apparent in her Cypriot cooking and she uses locally sourced products wherever possible.

My travelling companions and I were ready for a feast by the time we reached this cool oasis in the hills. The menu has something for everyone, including a wide range of salads, meats from the grill and main courses including spinach pie, beef ossobuco, chicken pie and moussaka. The menu is designed for all: meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. There are daily specials with Tuesdays being fish night and Friday kleftico night.

From a large selection of starters we went for the humous and melitzanosalata – a dip made from aubergines, tahini, garlic and fresh herbs – and both were on another level. This was accompanied by feta triangles, again not the usual offering of this traditional dish: beautiful filo pastry stuffed with feta, glazed with pomegranate molasses and dusted with toasted sesame seeds. We also sampled spanakorizo – a divine combination of spinach, lentils and basmati rice traditionally cooked with onions and garlic.

We were there on a Friday night and one of our party was able to order the special of the day, his favourite lamb kleftico. He considers himself a kleftiko expert, and to say he was in food heaven would be an understatement. He declared it to be the best kleftico he had ever tasted, very rich with red wine and oregano. Stuffed vegetables and meatballs in tomato sauce were our other main courses. Again, they were excellent served with wonderful homemade chips and salad.

Imogen’s dessert offerings depend on the day, as all are made on a daily basis. Our luck was in, as we had the choice of oven-baked lemon cheesecake, tiramisu and baklava. As there were three of us for dinner, we ordered one of each. Though not usually a dessert fan, I have to say if I fancied something sweet, I would happily make the 40-minute journey from home just for the cheesecake or tiramisu. No wonder this is one of celebrity chef Paul Hollywood’s favourite restaurants, as he stated on social media recently, with himself and his TV crew enjoying the food in the courtyard.

Imogen’s is so well-known that booking is essential. If you ever find yourself near Kathikas in the heat of the summer, make sure you don’t miss this gem of a restaurant which represents all that is excellent about Cypriot cooking. We cannot wait to return.

IMOGEN’S INN TAVERNA

Kathikas Village, Main Street, 8573 Paphos.

PRICE: 8 – 12.50 euros.  18 euros for the MEZE.

TEL: 26 633 269

SPECIALTY: Mediterranean/Cypriot

HOURS: Lunch 10 -3 and Dinner 6 -10. Open every day but closed all day on Wednesday.

Cruising the highways of our capital midweek early evening one might suspect the barbarians had entered the gate and spirited away the population: where is everybody? Cross that catastrophic monument to hubris – the moat – and there they are; but if you want to find a space to dine between Regina Street and the occupied sector, you’d be well advised to take your own chair. I have never seen the boulevards so busy. No establishment touts for custom any more. There are boundary wars: proprietors produce tape-measures to justify the position of a spitoon on a rival’s manhole.

To quote a former British prime minister, who had a brief encounter with our problem: ‘Crisis, what crisis’ between the Turks and the Venetian Walls there are hordes of homo sapiens and some others desperate to spend money whether on burgers, balloons, bowler hats or budgerigars.

Can there be a diner I haven’t reviewed in our main pedestrian thoroughfares? Last month Sexy Fish – now packed. Approaching The Pig: the diners outnumber the spectators at a Cyprus international football match. The tables are spread along the adjoining walls of the bank. Another short distance and I’ll be at The Balcony. The competition for dining space creates an unusual problem for the reviewer: repetition.

Fortune favours the brave, according to Terence: just so. Entering the wind tunnel that flows from the crossing point past Faneromeni church I stumble on Loxandra (or To Steki tis Loxandras to give it its full name); it’s been there for years and years and it’s my first visit.

It is the archetypal town centre taverna. The establishment is where former schoolmates meet, and the ‘Hens’ and ‘Stags’ recall old memories. The menu holds no surprises and if you mentioned Hector Blumenthal they might call an ambulance. However, I had one of the most appetising starters that combined a small portion of perfectly prepared mashed potatoes with garlic and a dish of pickled anchovies with shredded onions. All dishes are on one page, the grills, salads, fritters, sausages, burgers, mezes, cutlets, mixed grills and would you believe: calves liver. Really? Provenance? The price indicates it can’t be imported. I order it along with two small lamb cutlets. Our waitress, Beata, delivers a bottle of very reasonably priced Onoufrios, a little too chilled, she offers to decant it – nice touch.

The liver was grilled and served with fried potatoes and a basket of hot pitta. If I had to swear that the offal on my plate came from a six-month-old milk-fed male calf my nose might obstruct the steering wheel. However, even though it had spent more time under the grill than required, it was a flavour not encountered in many a season. The lamb cutlets did not disappoint either.

Andreas, the proprietor and his partner, know their onions having served the masses for decades. If you can find a table mid-week in steamy Nicosia, give them a visit. Nothing fancy, but lots of food, good efficient service at very reasonable prices. Another word to the wise: we have the cheapest inner-city parking in Europe make sure you secure a space early.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Cypriot Cuisine

WHERE Loxandras, 67-69 Faneromeni, Nicosia

CONTACT 22 675757

PRICE Very reasonable

It being summer, we headed recently to Protaras, which being near full capacity meant we ended up staying away from the main strip, towards Paralimni. Despite not being in the thick of it, the beaches were still beautiful and there were plenty of bars and restaurants about, including one that had come highly recommended and was only a 10-minute walk away.

Struggling to find it we learnt that it had shut down. Not wanting to walk much further we simply settled for the restaurant that was next door! Ifalos had the look of a traditional taverna with its blue and white checkered table cloths and traditional chairs. In my previous experience, traditional restaurants in tourist areas are not the best option. However, I was about to be proved completely wrong!

At the entrance to the restaurant, a waitress was waiting for customers to arrive. We were greeted with a warm, friendly smile and shown to a table. Despite being rather busy we were promptly brought menus. There was a wide variety of dishes to choose from; many different traditional dishes such as Stifado, Afelia, Tava, Kleftiko and of course, Cyprus meze! For the less adventurous, there is also a selection of pizza and pasta.

We convinced our young niece to try something new and she was brave enough to go for the Lamb Kleftiko. My partner had Afelia served with pourgouri and having seen the size of it on another table; I went for the pork chop!

It wasn’t long before the food arrived and we were all very impressed with the portion sizes. The Kleftiko came in a large clay pot, the pork chop was very large and the Afelia neatly placed in the middle of the plate surrounded by the pourgouri.

Some places have difficulty correctly cooking a pork chop and keeping the top part tender while the meat along the bone is cooked just right. Ifalos managed to get it all right. The meat along the bone was nice and crisp while the main part at the top was still juicy.

It can be a little risky ordering Afelia sometimes as the meat used may be quite fatty with the thought being that the fat gives it flavour. However this was not the case at Ifalos. The meat was tender and cooked brilliantly. The juice soaked in to some of the pourgouri and was a fantastic combination. For the remaining, untouched pourgouri, there was creamy yoghurt added to the side of the plate.

The biggest testament of the night came when our young niece who doesn’t usually stray far from pizza and pasta, ate all of the kleftiko. While it did not fall off the bone, the meat was a good cut and very tender.

After winning with the kleftiko, our niece had her eye on the chocolate lava cake. To keep her company, I ordered the baklava. The chocolate lava cake was a little on the small side but must have been extremely tasty as this was one thing that our niece wasn’t so keen on sharing! The baklava, also not a large portion, was served warm and was not too syrupy. Both desserts were served with vanilla ice cream. Despite the servings not being as generous as the mains, it was just enough to satisfy our sweet craving!

Being in a tourist area we had braced ourselves to pay a little more than we would expect but when the bill came it was surprisingly low for the food and drink we had enjoyed. All the main dishes were only €9.90!
In the end we were grateful that we stumbled across Ifalos.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Cyprus cuisine
WHERE Perneras 35, Paralimi
CONTACT 23 834235
PRICE Reasonable

As sports illiterate individual, the thought of heading to BR Hub Sports Bar did not initially sound too appealing. But I was to be proved wrong, as a large beer list, good food and relaxed vibe eased my fear of what would be on the large TVs (when there is not a large sporting event, they play the songs of yesteryear).

This pub stands prominently on a main road in Nicosia’s Strovolos, and at first glance resembles a modern establishment, with a large and open front that welcomes all. Once inside this feeling is only enhanced.

The wooden bar style spreads from the floor to the columns, the bar and the tables and chairs. The architecture and decor are simple – sporty – yet on the walls TVs, team posters and other memorabilia overlooks the seating areas.

Taking a seat outside in the smoker’s section on a simple black chair, one simple glance gives a good idea of the atmosphere. Competitive. Energetic. Passionate.

Yet despite the fact that the seating, comfort and selection are all centred around the activity of watching sports and athletics, as is evident of the absolute high-tech sound system and 13 TVs, this bars no one from enjoying the true qualities of the bar.

There was no active game at the time I visited so the sonorous chaos of classic rock wafted into the air. It took one peek into the drinks menu, and a whole new side of the BR Hub was revealed.

The variety is impressive. Beers on tap or imported, wines of varying tastes and origins, spirits of all kinds, single malt whiskeys, and an armada of concocted potions labelled as cocktails.

It was impossible to resist the Hertog Jan Dubbel (Double), a personal favourite despite the incredible selection ranging from Cypriot and Greek beers to American, Belgian, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, English, Italian, all sprinkled with a few Scandinavian – Swedish and Danish – ciders to top off the list.

The pub grub also rises to surpass the expected standard. BR Hub presents a variety of well-made and pleasantly prepared meals, and even brunch, all with sporty themed names to ensure satisfaction.

BR Hub may then is not just for sports enthusiasts. Whether you are looking to just enjoy your sports, or if you want to try a new drink or platter, or to simply have a comfortable evening with friends or family, this pub is a worthy shot.

BR Hub
Where: Athinon 22, Strovolos, Nicosia
When: 10am-1am
How much: draught beers from €4 a pint, bottled beer from €4
Contact: 70087018

Opened around five years ago on the Paphos seafront, the already successful Alea café lounge bar has been given a new look and a menu overhaul.

Alea boasts one of the best locations in Paphos and is a popular place to soak up a great view as its found right on the seafront of ‘Ta Bania’ in Kato Paphos and has commanding views of the castle and harbour.

A spruced up interior, new furniture, the introduction of a Sushi bar (open from 7pm), and a new food and drinks menu is just what this venue needed, and it’s well worth a visit if you haven’t already been.

Alea is a perfect place to socialise, especially ‘al fresco’ during the summer and often has a live DJ proving excellent background music.

A ‘Drink at Day and ‘Drink at night’ menu include all sorts of beverages: hot and cold coffees starting at €2, teas, soft drinks, juices, draft and bottled beer, ciders and alcopops.

The latter also offers up a selection of ‘small bites’ (priced from €6.50) to accompany drinks, such as mini burgers, chicken satay and platters. It can be hard to choose from all the spirits and alcoholic offers and a variety of whiskey, vodka, rums, shots, gin and liqueurs. Signature cocktails are priced at €8.50 but well worth it – others are priced at around €7.

The menu change is a welcome one and a good selection of a variety of high quality dishes are available, from lighter snacks to full meals. Both the Angus burger and chips, and the grilled chicken fillets with sweet potato mash are delicious. Desserts don’t disappoint and the staff are friendly and professional.

The decor is quirky and the new seats and stools are comfortable. Huge, folding glass windows ensure a breeze during the warmer months and protection from battering storms that often hit the coast in this area in the winter.

The outside bar to the front of the venue gets very busy during the evening, especially in the summer and booking a table either inside or out is recommended.

Promotional events, special events and DJ sets are all regularly hosted.

This is a venue frequented by locals and visitors, and holiday makers return time and again as it offers a friendly, laid back atmosphere, good service and value for money in an ambience which is buzzing after dark and quieter during the daytime.

A couple of years ago it was awarded Most Original All Day Cafe Lounge Bar in Cyprus at the prestigious Stoli awards – and it’s even better now.

Alea Cafe-Lounge Bar

Where: 7 Poseidonos Avenue, Kato Paphos

When: from 10am

Contact: 96 822854

If you are searching for a prime dining experience in Limassol, teamed with original dishes and high quality service and food then you should certainly consider Pixida. Open for about as long as the marina, Pixida has gained traction as a restaurant that serves high quality seafood dishes.

The warm and inviting atmosphere is one of the main things that makes this restaurant stand out, that and its amazing dishes. The fact that it is surrounded by sea and calm is another unbeatable advantage. The interior aims to make each visit relaxing and friendly and that is achieved through the wood and earth colours that permeate throughout, and the wrap around windows that offer views over the sea and the marina.

When it comes to the food, there is an abundance to choose from, dominated by but not limited to seafood. There is one clear front runner though and that is the seafood meze. The meze offers a selection of salad, starters and seafood dishes – a little snippet of everything that makes sure you have a taste of a wide selection of the menu and amounts to a total of 19 dishes.

We decided against meze and started with casserole octopus, a baby octopus cooked with tomato sauce and red wine. The combination of the two makes for a great opener for the meal and I almost wished it could be made into a main dish. Yet, there are more delicious dishes to come.

The main dishes are again dominated by seafood choices and you would struggle here if you wanted something else. However the choice is wide, crawfish, prawns in a variety of ways, salmon grilled or steamed and fish of type A,B or C. There is even a raw bar which includes salmon tartars and supremely fresh oysters. And all are served in appetizing portions to boot. I chose the sea bass which was grilled to perfection, and so juicy that a burst of flavour overwhelmed with every bite. Served in a tasty herb and lemon sauce, it was an unprecedented indulgence.

There is an extensive wine list and a short dessert menu.

Pixida Marina follows in the footsteps of its sister restaurant in Nicosia which opened more than 10 years earlier. Established by two men with a background in fish restaurants, they both aim for an upscale dining experience offering the best in fish and recipes. They seem to have met their goal! Make no mistake the meal might cost a pretty penny but you will ensure amazing quality and service.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Seafood

WHERE Pixida, Limassol Marina

WHEN Every day from 12 noon to 11pm

CONTACT 25 051200

With the sizzling hot summer now in full swing, beaches and nearby bars are crawling with locals and tourists. A major summer hot spot that people flock to for a refreshing drink by day or to party hard till the early hours can be found towards the end of the Makenzie beach strip in Larnaca.

Ammos dates back to 2005, when the Makenzie beach area was still underdeveloped. It was the first of the many beach bars that now run along the strip. Having seen other bars come and go in the meantime, Ammos has been consistently strong, fighting off the competition and putting its stamp on the area.

One thing I enjoy while at Ammos is watching the planes come in to the airport. Being at the end of the strip and therefore quite close to the airport, it can be mesmerising watching planes slowly glide in, especially at night.

Ammos is pure white. The building, the furniture inside and even the outside loungers are all white. While probably a large task for them to keep spotless, it provides a feeling of not only cleanliness but a bright, open space and freshness.

Along with the regular drinks such as beer, bottled alcopops and wine, Ammos makes a wide variety of cocktails.

My favourite for the summer is the classic Mojito. Here it is served in a rather large glass, definitely generous! A word of warning though, at night, due to the high volume of people and the demand for their cocktails, be prepared to wait while the bar staff work tirelessly to keep up with the influx of orders!

Ammos seems to do what they can to offer variety to customers and keep the evenings different. If there is not a particular themed event for the night there will still most definitely be dancers to entertain the crowds and if you are lucky enough, you may get to see a rather impressive fire show! From old skool music, to RnB and sponsored nights with guest DJs, there will be something to stir up the interest of almost everyone. Find out more on their social media sites.

Due to the popularity of Ammos in the summer months, I would highly recommend reserving a table as it can become extremely crowded and sometimes difficult to find a comfortable place to squeeze in to if you just turn up on the night. This alone is an indication of how much people enjoy going to this establishment!

For a chilled, daytime or early evening drink, or a party atmosphere at night, Ammos is definitely the kind of place that you won’t forget!

Ammos Beach Bar
Where: Mackenzie Beach, Larnaca
When: 24/7
Contact: 24 828844

Jinder Sekhorn – also known as Bobby – is an Indian chef well known for his successful Spice Hut restaurant at the Aliathon Holiday Village in Kato Paphos. And as the number of Indian restaurants in Paphos grows, he is behind one more: The Maharaja, hidden down a side road off Poseidonos Avenue, in a mostly residential (and somewhat shabby) side street in Kato Paphos. Something of a gamble, I hope it pays off because food at the Maharaja is superb.
Indian food might not be the first to spring to mind in the blistering summer heat, but once inside this air-conditioned, glass-fronted venue awash with tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen, my interest was piqued.

The waitress was all smiles as she brought over the extensive menus and a jolly welcome put our party of three at ease immediately. The colourful Indian inspired decoration adds to the ambience and the complementary poppadoms and chutneys are a lovely touch.

Bobby has learned much over the years, serving clients that have widely differing palates, from those who wish for hot and spicy offerings, others something milder, and those, like me, in the middle who still want a kick, but in a gentle and subtle form and will cater your dish to suit your taste.

His flavour profiles are layered and superior; lamb, beef, chicken, prawn and vegetable dishes are properly seasoned, elevated and cooked to perfection; they really do melt in the mouth.

The Maharaja is a spacious venue with neat tables spaced generously apart. Indian style curtains hang at the large windows that overlook the street, while large Indian paintings soften the tables’ formal presentation.

We started with spiced yellow lentil soup, crisp samosas, king prawn puri and Punjabi fish, which is marinated and fried in gram flour batter. All were delicious
Served in traditional small metal bowls, the main courses are flavoursome and include chicken tikka masala, unsurprisingly a favourite with Maharaja customers – it’s tasty – while the tandoori dishes are a speciality.

My tandoori chicken arrives proudly paraded through the restaurant, set on a bed of sizzling onions creating a sensational fragrance that draws the attention of other diners. Cooked to perfection, it’s easily sliced and then savoured with relish. I also try the lamb rogan josh, which has a well rounded flavour and the pilau rice is light, fragrant and fluffy. The lamb the Buhna, I am told, is light and the vindaloo packs a well-balanced punch.

A selection of naan breads, plain, garlic and peshwari, are all superb.

Vegetarian options include Aloo Brinjal – aubergines and potatoes cooked in a special masala – and Bhindi Bhai, a ‘dry’ curry with okra, tomatoes and spices.

The wine list is adequate, and consists of a selection of reasonably priced local and imported wines. We order a bottle of a light, crisp Tsangarides, Xinisteri, a favourite of our trio for €16. For those that prefer an accompanying beer, local and imported Indian beer is also available. Or you could go for a fruit lassi – the mango one is sweet with a tart kick, delicious.

Service is charming, graceful and sensible and our wine were glasses filled at just the right time.

Bobby also creates superb range of Indian traditional sweets for weddings and celebrations and a small selection are available as desserts.
The carrot halva, my favourite, is rich and creamy and the gulab jamon – a classic Indian desert – and kulfi – a traditional Indian ice cream – are beautifully executed and enjoyable.

Maharaja is focused on Indian culinary tradition and while all the usual dishes are on the menu, they are far better than most I have tasted. Fresh, top quality ingredients and well executed harmonious flavours create a real experience of Indian food, not least because the owner/chef is passionate about what he does, and it shows on every plate.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Indian
WHERE Maharaja Indian Restaurant, Kleios Street, Kato Paphos,
CONACT 99 433953
PRICE Starters from €4, mains from €8.80. Dessert from €3.30. Wine by the glass €4.20
WHEN 5.30pm-11pm every day

Nestled in the heart of Larnaca’s Laiki Yitonia is a bar that just recently hosted its 28th birthday. Regulars would tell you that it is the ‘Cheers bar’ of Larnaca because owner Moulos will remember your name!

Savino rock bar is a no nonsense, authentic rock bar. Whether you are rocker or not, the vibe is buzzing and the music not too intense. Savino has a range of cocktails on offer but you are more likely to see punters enjoying a well-chilled beer from the wide variety they have on offer from local beer KEO to beers such as Leffe and San Miguel and more recently a selection of IPAs whether it be in a bottle or on tap.

The friendly atmosphere at Savino is highlighted by the owner always making the effort to speak to customers and take pictures for the bar’s social media pages.

Due to its popularity, Savino rock bar outgrew itself and had to open up Savino Live next door to host live events in order to satisfy the demand of the many punters who love their music. Playing host to bands such as the acclaimed Minus One to Guns n Roses tribute bands, this doesn’t mean that the rock bar no longer has events. There is regularly some kind of event taking place that ranges from acoustic sessions to launches of a new beer.

Savino has a fairly large outside area accompanied by an outside bar for the summer months. The first tables to be occupied are usually the old wooden barrels but if you don’t manage to grab one, the seating is generally comfortable. The inside isn’t too large and throughout the winter is always packed to the rafters! The inside is decorated with rock memorabilia but my favourite touch is the photos on the wall that look like they were taken quite a few years ago of people having fun and creating memories at Savino.

Good music, great atmosphere and reasonably prices are just a few good reasons why you should head down to Savino!

Savino Rock Bar
Where: Watkins 9, Larnaca
When: 2pm to 2.30am
Contact: 24 620861

Should any vegans follow this column I suggest they turn the page because The Griller may not be to your taste. In fact, it might be described as a carnivores delight. My mentor on meat advised me not to ask for salad. In Nicosia, can you believe it?

It may have something to do with the location. The hungry diner passes the old neglected Armenian cemetery, crosses the road into the Serial Griller, an open space behind the Kyrenian Community Centre, filled with memories and custom made tables. It is on the road to Ledra Palace and the British Army; the Greek Ambassador lives a little farther down, and then you reach the checkpoint to cross to the north. But don’t go that far. A problem the Griller faces is that its presence is hidden from the road. I know a minister of the cloth that turned down an invitation to the Griller because he thought it was the taxi station next door, frequented by coffee drinkers and their Oriental ladies.

There is a difficulty in reading the menu – flashlight on – which isn’t helped by the huge shading eucalypts, but Orestes, our waiter from Austria, was on hand to help the ageing diner. The menu is a single laminated page with the food on the left and the beer on the right. Beer first – over 30 to choose from, mostly high end Central European ABVs; the companion fancies a dark (dunkel) German, so I select a pint of slim Grimbergen blonde; why not?

Apart from the chili and the wedges, not a vegetable in sight. The aromas are redolent of every sporting venue you recall. It’s Burger country: Tennessee, Mexico, Hawaii, Louisiana, topped off by the Serial that refuses to be identified.

There are chickens, halves and quarters, sauce laden or naked, huge chops, racks of ribs, some are spare. For sausage lovers the Griller offers a platter full of them, which include ‘herd and beer’ sausages.

The last item on the list is a platter for two that contains wedges, ribs, wings, burgers, pots of sauce, and against all the odds and tradition, a portion of home-made coleslaw and we duly ordered it.

The companion, although not a regular burger disciple, declared it was the best she had eaten. It had none of the ghastly, palate-hugging grenade-size bun but a light slim delicate coverage; the beef was excellent. When I queried whether we should order more ribs, Orestes smiled and shook his head. This platter contained six of the largest chicken wings I have ever seen; they looked more Lockheed than Ross, and the sauce was of such potency that the companion let me eat all of them. Hot: they must have access to the Trinidad Scorpion.

I was guilty of a Serial social solecism – I asked for a finger bowl. The waiter had not heard of such nonsense. I could see why; we were surrounded by dozens of ‘finger-licking’ citizens.

The evening was memorable.

After more beer, we gathered up our remains and left.

The owners, refugees from Lapithos and Kyrenia, learned there skills in the USA and selling from the kerbside in Cyprus.

I doubt whether there is better value for such an enjoyable evening anywhere in Nicosia.

When we arrived Howling Wolf was whispering on the air-waves followed by a selection from the Icons of Blues.

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY Grilled Meat and Imported Beer
WHERE 8 Markos Dracos, Nicosia on the road to Ledra Palace
WHEN Tuesday to Saturday evenings: Takeaway service
CONTACT 70007127
PRICE Very Reasonable

By Liam Carter

Being new to Nicosia, I was quick to ask new found friends and acquaintances about their favourite spot in the heart of the city to unwind. D’Avilla was by far one of the most popular responses and thus after a long day at the office, I decided to check it out.

Sitting at the top of Ledra street, D’Avilla is your typical modern lounge, with both inside and outside seating, the latter on both Ledra and Onasagorou street with the second being less busy and touristy than Ledra. From first glance it was apparent that patrons flock to the bar for its wide variety of shisha flavours, with huge number of people sitting outside smoking and relaxing with friends.

I sat on a small table outside overlooking Ledra street, took a peek at the drinks menu and ordered a Long Island Iced Tea. As I waited I took a closer look to the drinks menu and the variety of cocktails offered is impressive. The staff were extremely polite and I was sipping on my cocktail in no time. Apart from being served with a smile, the cocktail was of very good quality with the splash of cola providing the perfect balance to all that liquor!

Although it was a busy night, sitting outside facing Ledra I found myself lost in observing the life on the street. Inside the bar the atmosphere was vibrant, and it seemed very popular with the young crowd. However it still seemed a place where all ages were welcome.

Located on one of the central streets, D’Avilla is a perfect location to have a catch-up coffee with a friend during the day or a catch-up cocktail during the night. Drinks, including a range of beers, spirits and cocktails are offered at a very reasonable price. Booking is advised especially on Fridays and the weekend.

D’Avilla Cafe and Bar
Where: Ledra street, Nicosia
When: 10am-2am
Contact: www.facebook.com/Davilla-cafe

Visiting for a celebration, La Veranda on the Larnaca-Dhekelia road gave off the right first impression; quite classy. The tables are all well laid out with shiny cutlery and carefully folded napkins. Even the salt and pepper mill looked quite fancy with their chrome finishing!

Upon arriving, it was a little warm outside so we asked if we could sit indoors with the air conditioning on. The waiter disappeared and returned a minute later informing us that during the summer months the inside doesn’t really operate and therefore we could not have the air conditioning on inside. We were instead, given a fan to blow at our table.

There was no hanging about with the menus. They were presented to us quickly and boasted some rather impressive sounding, yet a little pricey, dishes. There is a good variety of salads, seafood, meats and of course, meze.

Everything looked quite tempting and as a result it took us a while to decide. But we settled on kalamari and chips, seafood salad, carbonara and stuffed chicken. The restaurant was empty apart from our table so the food arrived quite quickly.

The seafood salad looked splendid! The stuffed chicken was well presented and the kalamari was as expected. The carbonara, however, was struggling to not slide off the flat plate it was served on as it had a very generous helping of thin cream soaking the spaghetti and bacon.

My mother who had ordered a jacket potato with her dish attempted to put butter on it when she realised it was not very baked at all! The waiter took it away and brought it back again after having stuck it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

The kalamari had a very crispy batter to it but alas, was frozen and cooked too quickly so it was like chewing rubber. They were sent back immediately and replaced with the Polynesian chicken. The seafood salad, containing frozen seafood was actually the only dish that had no complaints. Suspicions should be raised when a dish including defrosted, processed crab sticks is the best one on the table!

I was worried I would receive my replacement dish just as others were finishing theirs but the Polynesian chicken came out incredibly fast. The boiled chicken, smothered in a brown sauce was actually alright, despite the sauce having a taste of curry powder.

Luckily, there was birthday cake at home so we didn’t put ourselves through the trauma of ordering what most probably would have been a disappointing dessert.

However, we were brought some unripe honeydew melon.

I snuck in to pay what would turn out to be quite a hefty bill only for the waiter to take pride in telling me that we had not been charged for the dishes that were sent back, as though they had done us a favour that we should be grateful for! There was no apology or any kind of compassion shown despite having made it clear we were not satisfied. Not even a bottle of water was taken off the bill as a ‘sorry’.

In hindsight, a packed lunch on the beach would have been a much better option. Perhaps it was just an off day for La Veranda but I will not be rushing back!

VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY European, Mediterranean
WHERE La Verand, Dhekelia road, Larnaca
WHEN 12pm-12am Mon-Sun
CONTACT 24 646777
PRICE Reasonable

If you are looking for somewhere new and healthy to try in Paphos, Meraki Cafe won’t disappoint.
Recently opened, it has already garnered an army of avid followers, and it’s not hard to see why. Many of us are looking for healthy options these days, and until now this was something sadly lacking in Paphos.

Set just off the busy coastal road in Chlorakas, there is both indoor and outdoor (shaded) seating and the hum of the passing traffic is not too bothersome. There is also plenty of parking close by.

Instead of the usual one vegan or gluten free option (if you’re lucky) this style of food and drink is the basis of the Meraki experience.

The menu is meat free and includes a twist on burgers and wraps, crunchy vitamin-packed salads, Buddha bowls, coffees, smoothies and milkshakes.
Open daily from 9am-5pm, this is a great café to meet for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a drink or healthy snack.

The interior is small but lovely and light, and wooden chairs and tables set off splashes of colour here and there, including a number of blue painted wooden chairs.

The menu is small, although it’s changed on a regular basis, using seasonal fruit and vegetables, however, the choices are enough and staff are helpful and will adapt dishes where they can.

There are special wraps made of spinach or beetroot for those not eating gluten or wheat and they are delicious.

The beetroot burger and kale and quinoa burgers are a speciality. Breakfast is served until 12pm and includes pancake stacks, delicious smoothie bowls made with açai or pitaya, fruit, nuts and granola, and cooked vegan breakfast. Sides and a children’s menu are also available.

The iced tumeric latte (€3), which initially tasted unusual, was delicious. Another speciality is the iced pink pitaya latte which contains dried dragon fruit, and looks and tastes superb.

Fresh made juices, all sorts of smoothies, milkshakes and the usual coffees are available alongside more unique offerings, such as beetroot latte.

A must to try is the Meraki infused filtered water jug, ask for the daily flavour infusion.

A variety of teas are also available, including a few garden herbal teas, such as rosehip and hibiscus,

Alcohol is also available, Tsangarides xinisteri (white) is a rather good house wine, available by the glass, as is local red and prosecco. Organic wine by the bottle, gin, vodka, keo beer and Edinburgh gin distillery liqueurs also make up the small, but adequate alcoholic beverages on offer.

Loosely translated, the Greek word Meraki means doing it with passion and that is certainly the experience here.

Meraki Cafe
Where: Griva Digeni 57, Shop 10 St George’s shopping mall, Chlorakas, Paphos
When: Open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm
Contact: 26 221527
How much: House wine by the glass €4, infused filtered water jug €2, smoothies €4.95, Iced Tumeric Latte €3, iced pink pitaya latte €4.50