Psarou - Seafood restaurant in Greece

 

One of the great pleasures is the discovery of new culinary destinations. For me, this summer, it is the restaurant Psarou on the coastal road to Sounion just outside of Saronida.

That evening Stelios and I got dressed for dinner and off we went in search of "Psarou." Just a few kilometers out of town, there on the left hand side was the sign with the cat, smirking as if it had swallowed the canary. But of course it wasn't the canary, it was the fish!

Marinated Octopus

The outdoor tables

 

These destinations are not always found by accident, but usually they are shared by friends or neighbors in ecstatic whispers. Such was the case with Psarou, when my good neighbor Yiannis described in drooling detail the meals he'd had at the place.

 

Seafood pasta dishes, bulgur-wheat salad, marinated octopus and then he spoke of the double fried potatoes as if it where the gospel. That cinched it for me! Psarou it would be for dinner that evening. Yet, we were cautioned to go early(by 8:30-9:00pm) so we could get a table, that's how popular the place is.

These tables didn't stay empty long

Almira-salty greens- really yummy!

 

The double fried potatoes!

 

Our two glasses of ouzo- ouzo turns milky when you add water.

 

Three fried fish!

We were seated at a table for two and from there unfolded a delicious, romantic Greek dinner a deux, with a small bottle of ouzo Barbagianni providing that extra little spark.

Thank you Yianni, your recommendation was a winner!

Enjoy!

Maria

Farmer's Market in Greece

Every Monday morning on Kefalinias street in Saronida, tents of produce-sellers pop-up. Go early and have the pick of the offerings.

Mountains of fragrant melons and zucchini with the blossoms still attached

the scent of these peaches is like no other

summer oranges

Octopus anyone?

Kalamari

The sweetest figs!

Okra

Farmer's Markets in Greece are a norm not a trendy luxury as in the United States. Food there(mostly produce) is fresher and cheaper than the supermarket and people plan their week's meals around the shopping at the market. Greeks traditionally cook what's seasonally available and there's much talk about what's for sale at the weekly market called "Laiki" meaning, for the people.

The Greek countryside produces abundant fruits and vegetables, cheeses, herbs, meats and condiments with scents and flavors that seduce the palate. Produce is harvested at it's peak and the Greek consumer is very discerning when it comes to their food. There are heirloom varieties, varieties grown in specific locales that shoppers always look for.

Here's a bit of candy for they eye, I wish I could bring you the musk of the melons, the perfume of the peaches, the sweetness of the figs, the juiciness of the oranges.

Enjoy!

Maria