Yesterday Nog took me out for a real treat – my first proper Greek food since I left Toronto in 1990! It was at a place called Helas that I’d read about on a few different websites and apparently it was also written up in El Mundo as one of the 15 best international restaurants in Spain (not just Sevilla).
My original idea had been to go there for lunch the day before I check into hospital for my operation, but I actually think I’m going to spend that weekend eating light and drinking lots of water to prepare my system a bit … and so we went yesterday instead. And it was fabulous. My favourite olives are kalamatas and although the spanikopita pastry was a bit tough (I suspect they heated it up in a microwave) the meal was a success, especially as Nog hadn’t tried Greek food before.
The photo above shows a starter of metitzanosalata, tzatziki, dolmades, feta cheese and taramousalata, served with freshly baked hot pita bread. To see more have a look below. . .
[looks like this is going to be a week of special lunches as I’ve been invited out almost every day this week – another reason to take things easy this coming weekend]
dining room
kalamata olives and bread
spanikopita
souvlaki with pork, lamb, beef & chicken
baklava
casa azahar 
You made my mouth water. It’s lunchtime here. 🙂 What a cute little place!
LikeLike
I love Greek food, I make a mean moussaka.
You are very wise to take it easy the few days before your operation is scheduled. I’m surprised they haven’t told you to consume only clear liquids for the 24 hours before you go in and fast for the 12 hours before the operation. The less you have in your intestines when you go under anesthesia, the better off you will be.
Still thinking good thoughts for you!
LikeLike
I LOVE taramousalata…. LOVE it!
I used to live on the Danforth in TO (Az knows…) and used to LOVE going out for dinner. However, I couldn’t go alone because a woman alone in a Greek restaurant will not be alone long. I would have men coming over and trying to sit beside me and I’m not talking “just interested”. Even old men would try and bother you.
My regular restaurant, the chef had to come out and fend them off while I ate. I finally stopped going because of that. I would call and place an order and would pick it up.
My other reason for not going was that the chef took a shine to me and kept putting larger and larger slabs (and I mean SLABS of Feta cheese… the size of a dinner plate…) on my plate.
I don’t like Feta cheese except in very small quantities and only cooked.
There was a take-out below my apartment and I would often stop in to pick up Spanakopita… and “Meatakopita” and a “custardkopita” for dessert. I have no idea what the correct name for hte last two are. That;s just what I call them.
LikeLike
looks like a lovely place, although I have to confess that Greek food is one of the only cuisines that I don’t really like. Not a big fan of feta and olives 😉
But enjoy your week of feasting, and sounds like hmh has excellent advice for the 24 hours prior to the op.
LikeLike
I love greek food – so healthy, especially a good greek salad. and feta cheese….. yummmmm
LikeLike
It is cute, isn’t it Beth? Looks much nicer inside. I usually take an outside shot of each tapa bar and restaurant, but used another indoor shot for this one instead.
The usual routine here is that you check into the hospital around 8pm the night before your surgery, thus ensuring that you fast for at least 12 hours beforehand, hmh. And I’ll probably start eating very light on Friday. Meanwhile, I am going to enjoy my lunches! 🙂
I used to do the same when I lived on the Danforth, Anneke – takeaway spanikopita (and the meat one – can’t remember the name either) used to be frequent dinner options. I never went to the restaurants on my own though, so I never had your experience with annoying men.
Feta and kalamata olives and pita bread are three of my favourite things, truce! Mmmmm…
Yes, I’m with you on Greek salads, nursemyra.
Nog’s favourites were the dolmades and taramousalata, but he quite liked everything we had.
LikeLike
I love Greek food – but I tend to avoid Greek establishments because my friends insist on drinking
paint stripperretsina!LikeLike
Of the two I think I’d stick with the paint stripper. But a couple of beers is usually enough.
LikeLike
We actually had a nice light Greek white wine that was served in that copper jug you can see in the photos.
LikeLike
Today’s lunch was here at Becerríta … Pipocas and I had such a good time that I forgot to take a photo of the outside of the building (which is really quite lovely). Dang!
LikeLike
I love greek food — dolmades, spanokopita, baklava, and that classic greek salad with the lettuce, feta, olives and tomato.
(Jealous) There are *no* good Greek places in town, famous or otherwise…when I have the energy, I can make a pretty good ersatz Pastitsio, though.
I’m so glad you were pampered for the week up to the op, it’s a pleasant distaction.
LikeLike