PATTAYANI’S GREEK FOOD ADVENTURE

Finding the new place was remarkably easy.  There was great signage at top of soi 2 in Pratamnak. Fortunately, coming down the hill there is another big blue (traditional Greek color) Pattayanis sign on the left.

Yanis shows up with a very nice OUZO as an appetizer  And so it begins.

We start with a traditional Greek salad. Greek salad is a cut above an Italian mixed salad due to the feta cheese and olives.  I am happy because the feta is excellent.

Next, bring out BBQ cheese.  It is called haloumi and it is delicious! That disappears pretty quickly. Next we try another cooked cheese I think it is called saganaki. Next we tried a Tiku (sp?) #6 on menu.. Kind of like a skinny Panini, vegan, very delicious it has water removed cucumber as a base.  Delicious.  Now comes Santorini, it is a baked tomato and cheese dish with bread.  Kind of like a hot Italian bruschetta but 100 times better!  Try this you will never order bruschetta again.

Of course there is a traditional Tzatzaki as yet another appetizer.  So nowwhat do we want for dinner?  A couple that has joined us order Mosaka and a calamari salad..reminds me greek calamari is the best! Another orders a baked lamb. I know it is slow roasted and will be so tender it can be eaten with a spoon. Of course Nils is happy with his second vegan sandwich.  Now the problem what do I want?  Yanis says he will pick for me.

Yanis come back from the kitchen and NOT to my surprise he is carrying a Bouzouki. (Greek guitar)

When you go to a Greek restaurant you should be prepared for inevitable bouzouki music and singing!

So a little Greek music and singing and the Lamb arrives. Pooki invites me to taste, very very tender. It falls off the bone. Not bad considering I don’t eat lamb.  So I take TWO bites..

Last but not least Yanis shows up with a custom made plate for me.  I am truly stunned.  It has a small portion of calamari (greeks know how to do this exceptionally) with one spiced beef meat ball and one spiced pork meat ball (Kefte).  In addition just one skewer of his greek threesome, which is a taste of chicken beef and pork on a skewer.  Pooki takes her turn on the calamari and says wow, delicious!.  It was VERY tender.  I tell Yanis I am very happy and think he should make this a Pete’s special on the menu.

Dinner is winding down.  BUT, I know in my heart something with honey in it is coming. Sure enough we get a delightful Baklava for desert and a little wine and everyone has a taste.

I trust I have conveyed it was a delightful evening.