Gods Restaurant, Serving Authentic Greek Cuisine in Acropolis

Gods Restaurant, Serving Authentic Greek Cuisine in the Museum of Acropolis is one of those places you only pray you

Bagelis, Giorgos and Nikos Falias

will find on your trip to Greece.

I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to some wonderful places within the United States. I have been even more fortunate to have traveled across the pond to some beautiful countries such as England, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Dubai, Brasil and now to Greece. Every country from my experience is very proud of their cuisine.

Octopus Salad

The world is so diverse from what they eat and even within a country there are regions that are so dissimilar. It’s not only the cuisine but even the language can vary. For example, if you are in Italy and travel from Rome to Sicily the cuisine is certainly different but also the dialect. So much so that even Italians cannot always fully understand the

Tyrocroketes

language. I’m sad to say I am not bilingual but I do speak a language known to all, Food Lovers lingo.

Fried Calamari

Once I arrived in Greece I set my sights on restaurants and chefs that not only prepared authentic cuisine but that also would not break the bank. Traveling is not inexpensive and knowing I will be here for a good 6-10 weeks and wanting to experience the beauty of Greece, I aimed for the best authentic cuisine for my buck…or should I say, Euro!

Stuffed Calamari

My first experience in a Greek restaurant was in Acropolis where I was simply strolling the streets and taking in the views doing my usual touristy people surveillance when a restaurant caught my eye…”Gods Restaurant”. It was obviously the name but then as my eyes scrolled across the window I read the many places that recommended this restaurant. Other than the

Octopus in Wine

name (which I adore) and the recommendations from places like Lonely Planet, there was noting that appeared unique compared to any other of the restaurants that lined the street. But a recommendation from Lonely Planet certainly gave me the desire to have a go at a few dishes.

I ordered a glass of house wine, which I love to test being I adore wine and

Papoutsaki Eggplant

it was fantastic not to mention easy on my wallet. From past experience in Europe house wines tend to be very good as well as practical. Being my favorite Greek food is octopus I was determined to order it as an appetizer. I have a bad habit because way to often my eyes are much larger than my stomach as I tend to order way too much food and then have a full picnic

Galeos Skordalia

basket to take home. I’ve learned to order as I go and actually relax and enjoy my meal. Eating should be an event not a stuff yourself until you can’t walk experience. Perhaps my numerous adventures to Europe has finally made me slow down and make dining an affair as it should be instead of an evening of gorging.

Grape Leaves Stuffed with Rice and Minced Meat

While I was eating, my waiter, who to my delight spoke excellent English, engaged in some tête-à-tête and of course being I am a food lover it was all about food and Greek cuisine. He was so passionate about the food they served and how it was prepared he even had me on the edge of my seat with a fork and knife in hand waiting for the next course. I asked what are

Souzsoukakia

some dishes that he would recommend and to my delight he said let me introduce you to our chef. You can only imagine the smile on my face…The Social Chef is going to be social doing what I love to do…talk food of course…and with the chef…a Greek chef.

When my waiter came back he introduced to me the chef. He said this is

Greek Stuffed Peppers

our chef, Giorgos…my father. WOW…The Social Chef hit the culinary jackpot…My BIG Fat Greek Culinary Tour was going in a better direction than even imagined. Giorgos spoke broken English but he certainly understood every word I said. After Giorgos told me a short story of his culinary history and a family run restaurant with he and his two sons,

Greek Chicken

Bagelis and Nikos, it was my turn to tell Giorgos my intention here in Greece. You all already know so I won’t elaborate but Giorgos with his broken English made me feel like I was in the perfect place. Gods Restaurant perhaps has a far more significant meaning than just its name. Remember my culinary journey began during lent…this was simply

Hortopita

once again, no calamity. God has a hand in everything.

After it was all over and my palate had danced the night away from being served some incredible authentic Greek family recipes I was ready to head home. But I could not let this opportunity end. I spoke with Bagelis and asked if he thought it was in any way possible to share the kitchen with

Fried Feta with Fyllo & Honey

his father doing some filming of Giorgos preparing authentic Greek dishes. He smiled, I smiled and I knew it was a yes. So let me tell you that this delightful culinary experience of sharing the kitchen with chef Giorgos happened, I have since been to numerous tavernas and restaurants. The food in which Giorgos prepared was beyond fantastic,

Spinach Pie

but here is why…they not only use fresh and high quality ingredients but there is the one secret ingredient……….it’s the passion and love that goes into it. Without that secret ingredient Gods Restaurant would just be another restaurant. I would recommend this restaurant to any food lover with the most exquisite of palates to come dine at this culinary gem in the

Mpaklava & Samali

Ancient city of Acropolis. I will be sharing the recipes and the videos of me and Giorgos breaking out the knives very soon…Social Chef style!!