To follow up on my last website blog post (Delicious Pizzas & More – in Athens!) here are two more restaurants for those of you who like your Italian in the form of a wood-fired pizza! The first one in Kolonaki and the second one in Kifissia:
Frankie Italian Bistro & Bar is a pleasant neighborhood haunt, serving hearty and unpretentious Italian-style food. The space is bright and full of daylight during the day and ambient at night with the wood fire oven & bar taking center stage!
The menu is surprisingly varied and on my last visit, apart from a delicious pizza with prosciutto and truffle oil (a bit too heavy on the truffle oil) my husband and I tried a daily special; a hearty beef meat stew served with home-made noodles that was tasty but nothing to get excited about!
On another visit, we had a lovely pizza but the salad with fresh tuna, lentils and orange wedges was disappointing; drowning in overpowering dressing that also made it soggy!
Thus, other than pizza, on my next visit I think I’ll stick to the various antipasti and the fresh pasta which is home-made and served up with all of the right ingredients . . . and oh-so satisfying!
Address:
42 Skoufa Street
Athens 106 72
Tel: +30 21 0364 7052
Opening hours:
09.00 am – 01.00 am
Price: On the higher end
Recently, Alex (my husband) and I were invited for Saturday lunch at the Giacomo restaurant in Kifissia which offers a mixture of old world Italy with a modern Greek approach in three differently decorated rooms.
The homemade pasta and the antipasti had been recommended to me but when I saw a whole-wheat pizza on the menu I couldn’t resist so I ordered it as a starter with an enchanting fresh salad . . . and for my main course a vitello tonnato (photo below) that unfortunately didn’t live up to my expectations!
The pizza was truly outstanding . . . taking it directly to my top five list of delicious pizzas . . . with a crust that was perfectly cooked and tasty too! The topping simple but just right . . . and reminded me of Margherita pizzas I’ve had in Naples!
The spinach salad with its fresh cheese, asparagus and sun-dried tomato pesto was a true delight (dressing requested on the side).
The vitello tonnatos’ presentation was lovely , but even the well-cooked veal couldn’t save the dish as the tuna sauce, the maker or breaker of this specialty, was deficient of all taste! My husband’s beef Taliata was just as he likes it and my friend’s shrimp salad . . . as she said, just perfect . . . and to me looked pretty appetizing too!
Setting the food aside, I’m told they make pretty decent cocktails and their wine list had something for all tastes.
What I also really liked about this restaurant was its pleasant atmosphere and its mixed clientele of all ages. I was especially surprised to see a younger crowd with infants in prams, who slept through our entire meal . . . while a saxophonist played well known tunes.
We on the other hand, further indulged and contented our sweet tooth by scooping up the dolce of the day . . . Giacomo style!
Address:
Levidou Street #11
145 62 Kifissia
Tel: +30 21 0801 4007
Opening hours:
Every day from 10.30am – 00.30am
Pizza Delivery: Available.
Prices: On the high side!