Palate pleasers in Athens

My wife and I dined at the following restaurants in Athens, Greece, in February ’05.

• The restaurant Alexander the Great (3, Meg. Alexandrou Str.) is just off Karaiskaki Square where the Metaxourghion metro station is located. The proprietor spoke English well and went out of his way to help us.

We had the lamb special (€15, or near $20), the most expensive item on the menu. Mousaka cost €7; half carafe of white wine, €5; tzatzki, €4; dolmas, €5, and Greek salad, €6, with cover and bread, €2.

This was the best dinner we had in Athens.

• The restaurant Ideal (46 Panepistimiou) is between the National Library and Omonia Square. It looks fancy and serves good food.

We had wine for €1.90 and €2.50; veal patty, €10.20; stuffed leaves, €9.90; bowl of creamed vegetable soup, €5.80 (this was like a potage Saint Germain, served in a tureen-sized bowl and outstandingly delicious); eggplant salad, €5.10, and salad, €8.90, with cover at €2.30 each.

• Kouklis Ouzeri (Plaka 14 Tripodon) — in an excellent location near the Acropolis.

This restaurant has good food for a fair price. The only food they serve is served like tapas. The waiter comes to the table with a large tray filled with about 12 plates. You choose what you want and pay accordingly.

We split four plates, having meatballs, salad, eggplant salad and tzatzki. We also had a liter of bottled water. We were then served the house dessert for free. The total was only €13 (near $17).

GEORGE LAUSCHER
Pocono Summit, PA