To Elliniko, Naxos
Dinner was at To Elliniko, another well regarded local restaurant that was recommended to us. By now, we had started to appreciate how different dining in Naxos felt compared to Santorini. The atmosphere was more relaxed, the portions remained generous, and the cooking felt deeply rooted in local traditions rather than catering to tourists.
We began with a colourful beetroot salad topped with walnuts, grapes and crunchy croutons, followed by crisp cheese rolls that disappeared quickly from the table. A whole grilled sea bream arrived beautifully charred and simply dressed with lemon and olive oil, allowing the freshness of the fish to shine. Traditional gemista, tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice and herbs, brought comforting home cooked flavours, while the grilled lamb chops were once again a highlight of the evening. Charred, smoky and packed with flavour, they further reinforced our growing affection for Greek lamb.
One of the most memorable dishes was Kleftiko - a rustic slow cooked casserole served in parchment paper. When opened at the table, it revealed a hearty combination of lamb, vegetables, potatoes and feta cheese that had slowly mingled together in the oven. It was simple peasant cooking at its finest, honest, satisfying and full of character.
Accompanying dinner was a bottle of Moutharo from Katriaiosis Winery. This indigenous Greek red proved to be an excellent match for the richer meat dishes, particularly the grilled lamb chops. Medium bodied with dark fruit notes, gentle spice and earthy undertones, it was a wine that reflected the rustic charm of the meal perfectly. Wife enjoyed the wine so much that it quickly became one of her favourites from the trip. The next day, I wandered into several nearby wine shops hoping to bring a few bottles home, only to discover that none of them carried it. In the end, I found myself making a special trip back to To Elliniko just to buy two bottles directly from the restaurant. Some wines are memorable because of their quality. Others become memorable because they are forever tied to a place, a meal and a moment in time. This was one of them.
As dinner progressed, dark clouds gathered overhead and the first drops of rain began to fall. Before long, a steady shower swept across Chora. We waited as long as we could, but eventually accepted our fate and made the short walk back to our rooms under the rain. Thankfully, the weather did little to dampen our spirits.
The night was still young. Back at Oceano Room 4, the four couples gathered once again for drinks, laughter and stories from the day. Glasses were poured, conversations flowed easily and time seemed to slow down. These late night sessions had quietly become one of the highlights of the trip. Long after the rain had stopped outside, we were still awake, enjoying the simple pleasure of good company in a beautiful corner of Greece.
To Elliniko
Ioannou Paparigopoulou, Naxos 843 00, Greece
