ATHENS
weekly
Weekly supplement by Insider Publications • www.insider-publications.com • No 109 • Friday, July 22, 2016
NEW SUMMER ISSUE!
Don’t miss our fantastic summer issue, crammed with everything you need for a stylish summer whether you’re “staycationing” in Athens or heading to th islands!
Carmen
Gifts of Poseidon
6th Athens Open Air Film Festival
The gypsy heroine defends her freedom to choose her lovers in this timeless famous French opera, staged by the Greek National Opera, with music by Georges Bizet, performed July 24-29, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Areopagitou Dionisiou, greekfestival.gr. Tickets from €15-100.
Exquisite glassworks and anti-gun statement pieces by New York-based Philip Tsiaras along with pirate-themed works of Jeff Koons’ apprentice Dionysis Frangias, feature in “Gifts of Poseidon” until July 23 at Blender Gallery, Zisimopoulou 4, Glyfada, tel: 213.028.0597.
Athens is transformed into an open-air cinema as the city’s biggest film fiesta returns until September. Now a summer institution, see iconic screenings for free - from Aliens to The Tempest – alongside less mainstream movies, in some of the capital’s prettiest parks and squares. For full screening guide and locations, cinema.gr
GASTRONOMY
Greek Gastronomy), that Greek gastronomy is at the epicentre, exploring the most important foods of the Greek terroir and its major producers. What, according to you, is the essence of Greek cuisine? Greek cuisine is quintessentially its raw materials, that are in turn, byproducts of its temperate climate and unique geophysical configuration. It is the consequence of the many cultures that have influenced it, the tug-of-war between the introversion and extroversion of the Greek. More specifically, Greek cuisine is one of sun-kissed clarity, unadulterated purity and the uniqueness of its rich produce. But Greek cuisine is also the ease with which Greeks invite foreigners to partake in a meal; the way meals are shared at the family table; or when complete strangers are treated to ouzo at the local kafeneia (and try and grapple with the concept of Kerasma!)
For the Love of Food
Insider catches up with master storyteller and the country’s most passionate food chronicler George Pittas – a true believer in the goodness of Greek Gastronomy. George Pittas is a master storyteller who brings places to life and infuses the air with the aromas of home-cooked meals. A great believer in the goodness of Greek cuisine – its simplicity and its sheer range - he is the creator of the Greek Gastronomy Guide: a comprehensive, well-researched treasure trove of the country’s culinary traditions. George Pittas, you are, perhaps the only true chronicler of Greek gastronomy, having travelled all across Greece and culled Hellenic culinary traditions from its far corners to present a comprehensive Greek Gastronomy Guide. What prompted you to embark on this ambitious initiative? I’m truly grateful to be among the first to be involved in the research of Greek gastronomy. As Greek society modernised and adopted foreign standards, Greek cuisine,
for the vast majority, was largely reduced to tourist stereotypes of moussaka and souvlaki. Local products, tastes, customs and traditional techniques, in other words, the local kitchens of this country, risked extinction. Fortunately in recent years, there has been a minor revolution. Greeks, who were once embarrassed about their culinary traditions have now begun to acquire cultural confidence. Suddenly, there’s been a burst in the number of PDOs, a spike in the publication of books around Greek culinary traditions and a surge of young Greek chefs who’ve dared to explore local gastronomic techniques and to take them to a whole new level. As a Board Member of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels and head of the greekbreakfast project, I was personally motivated to encourage hotels to serve traditional Greek breakfasts, linked to the region’s cuisine.
You have researched, photographed, written and presented all the material on your website - how long has it taken you to put it all together? When I first started out, 30 years ago, I approached gastronomy from an anthropological angle, and not from pure culinary interest. In my book Αθηναϊκή ταβέρνα (The Athenian Taverna), the emphasis was on the role of the taverna as a catalyst of social interaction. In Πανηγύρια στο Αιγαίο (Fairs and festivities in the Aegean), the focus was on the importance of local festivals in feasting, dancing and singing, even though the book had detailed descriptions of rituals around food, their symbolism, their role in the festivities, and on preparation techniques. The feast on communal tables, was for me, the rallying point for the revelers, where the community would confirm its social cohesion. In Καφενεία της Ελλάδας (Traditional Greek Cafes), while generous references were made to mezedes and drinks, again, it wasn’t the sole focus of the book. It is only in the latest edition of Οι θησαυροί της ελληνικής γαστρονομίας (The treasures of
UPCOMING EVENTS
Family
Theatre
Free Zoo for Kids! Make a great day out with the family at Attica Park Zoo with free entry for kids for July. With every adult ticket of €16 purchased, there’s free admission for 2 children. Yalou, Po Box 38, Spata, tel: 210.663.4725, atticapark.com for terms and conditions.
The Birds by Aristophanes Aristophanes’ remarkable and poetic comedy The Birds flies the coop to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, August 19-20. Penned in 414BC, The Birds essentially addresses Man’s hunger to fly, to create a new world, and to come into contact with his innermost desire. Tickets from €10. Tel: 213.017.8000, www.sgt.gr
Exhibition Tetsis @ Metamorphosis Re-visit 35 celebrated works by the late Panioyotis Testis – the Painter of Greek Colour – as part of the SNFCC’s summer Metamophosis Festival until July 31. The painting are among Tetsis’ plein air masterpieces and represent the major periods of his career. Evripidou & Syngrou, Kalithea, Athens Faliron Delta, snf.org.
CITY LIFE
odd arty tomes dominate at the New Hotel’s fabulous Art Lounge. But really it’s elegant Lady Lycabettus who steals the show. Filellinon 16, tel: 210.327.3000 www.yeshotels.gr
On Top of the World Change your view, change your world, or so the saying goes. This week, we celebrate the classic Athenian summer tradition of the rooftop bar as Maria-Irene Moschonasdo drinks in the view at some of the city’s most atmospheric sky-high locales. Acropolis Museum Café & Restaurant Toast millennia of Hellenic History under the shadow of the Parthenon at the Acropolis Museum’s much-feted panoramic terrace, situated on the second floor of this modern-day architectural triumph. tel: 210. 900.0915, www.theacropolismuseum.gr
The Zillers Dear New Kid in Town (aka The Zillers). You had us with the industrious wine list, the too cool for school vibe, and the 2,000-plant vertical gardens. But that rock star view? Now you’re just showing off. Mitropoleos 54, tel: 210.322.2277 www.thezillersathens.com
Modern Restaurant, Athens Was A perfect convergence of hipster and Epicurean elements awaits on the roof terrace of Athens Was Hotel, a very welcome new (ish) addition to thriving Thission. Dionysiou Areopagitou 5, tel: 210.924.9954 www.athenswas.gr
Clair de Lune, Novotel Athenes The perfect locale for those who like to see all sides to the matter: Novotel Athene’s Clair de Lune rooftop terrace boasts a miraculous 360-degree vista over the capital. Michail Voda 4, tel: 210.820.0700 www.novotel.com
Point A, Herodion Extend your hand out just a little further from the Herodion’s dreamy sky-high meeting point and your fingers might just graze the Parthenon from the comfort of your ALIAS sling back chair. Heaven. Rovertou Galli 4, tel: 210.923.6832 www.herodion.gr
Thea Terrace, Central Athens Hotel The entire hill of the Acropolis preens before you and the perfect sunset is yours for the taking at this popular and democratic roof rendezvous. Apollonos 21, tel: 210.323.4357 www.centralhotel.gr
New Art Lounge, New Hotel Elegant wrought-iron décor and 2,000-
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Of all the amazing people you have encountered and experiences you have had, is there one story you’d like to share with us? Each product and each producer has a history worth sharing. Every taverna owner or café-owner has anecdotes and stories that need disclosing. What can one say about the last handmade phyllo-sheet maker who has relentlessly worked daily for sixty years in his Rethymnon workshop, or of the last baker preparing Mykoniatika rusks in the island’s last wooden oven, or of the Pelion café where the likes of Papadiamnantis had their morning caffeine fix over a hundred years ago, or of another century-old cafe, whose wall was painted by the legendary artist Theophilos. What would your ideal Greek meal be? The ideal Greek dish is one served with love, cooked with local ingredients, a cornucopia of each region’s rich gastronomic culture, a true ambassador of its terroir. Whether it is a dish at a family dinner or a traditional taverna or a creative cuisine restaurant, it should have a local footprint – so that when you try tomatokeftedes or fava, you are transported to Santorini. When you savour kopanisti and louza, your mind travels to Mykonos.
Who is The Greek Gastronomy Guide’s target audience? What can one expect to find here that is unique to this site alone? The Greek Gastronomy Guide will serve as a travelling companion to the discerning foodie, exploring regions and landscapes, production and techniques, myths and stories, products and producers, restaurants and cafes, markets, festivals and fairs ... Do you cook? If so, what is the one Greek eventually you will reach the soul of the ingredient you cannot cook without? It’s a straightforward answer. Obviously explace and discover its little demons too! tra virgin olive oil!! Visit www.greekgastronomyguide.gr
TV THIS WEEK Tyrant 3
Barry learns his hold over Abuddin is weak; Sammy begins a risky relationship; and the future of Abuddin is threatened. Wednesday @ 21.50 on Fox
Wayward Pines 2
CJ reflects on his life and the great responsibilities he’s had over the centuries; Theo and Megan disagree over the Abbies’ intelligence. Monday @ 22.40 on Fox Watch FOX and FoxLife on NOVA, OTE TV, Vodafone, CYTA
CINEMA THIS WEEK
Our Kind of Traitor
A couple finds themselves lured into a Russian oligarch’s plans to defect, and are soon positioned between the Russian Mafia and the British Secret Service, neither of whom they can trust. With Ewan McGregor, Naomie Harris, Stellan Skarsgård
The Shallows
A mere 200 yards from shore, surfer Nancy is attacked by a great white shark, with her short journey to safety becoming the ultimate contest of wills. With Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, Angelo Jose