The Food of Athens

Anonymous

The food of Athens has varied for me depending on the location and mood I have been in. For several days I was fighting a fever and so my interests were more aimed at fruit juices and bread, but when I have been able to sample the cuisine I have found it complex, interesting, and sometimes daunting. The staple fastfood of Athens seems to be the gyro, and they are certainly the best ones you could ever imagine. Tomatoes, onions and cucumber often accompany every meal in some form or another. Italian, French, and various European schools of cooking can be found with relative ease and are even included in traditional menus. Pasta is seen on fast food menus as well as fine dining restaurants and the variety of fresh sauces that can be applied can always make it an exciting and refreshing dish. It is also important to note that is generally the best idea to order food that has to be prepared to order rather than something that could potentially be reheated old stock. This could diminish your chances of food poisoning. Orange juice is fresh and fantastic, but generally costs about $7 a glass. Greek coffee is not only cheaper than espresso, it is stronger and more delicious, so should be the obvious choice. If you are looking to save money, local meats and cheeses can be purchased at markets for low prices along with seasonal fruit and vegetables. For desert it is a crime not to try the yogurt with honey, as it is fantastic. It is generally a rule of thumb to find a places specialty and then order that rather than going to a place knowing what you want but most importantly have a sense of adventure and be willing to step outside your comfort zone.