"And now for something completely different ..." or not!

As this has been, pretty much to this point, a blog about Corfu and things Corfu "-ish", all these family stories have been a bit of digression. (yes, truely fascinating of course, but I don't want to spoil you all...)

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I figured it was about time for another restaurant visit!!! (and YAY! It was a win-win for me, I didn't have to cook!)

So we started out the evening with great plans to go to one of our favorite restaurants, Retro Nuevo. But as with so many things on Corfu, you may start out going in one directions but things don't quite work out as planned.

T dropped us off close to the restaurant in downtown Corfu, and went to park the car. As we slowly made our way up towards the New Fortress, (and the closer we got to the restaurant) I noticed that the windows were dark (yes we probably should have called...) Sadly they were closed! I am guessing that now that it's "winter" they have gone to being open only on weekends. (Fine!)

So when T finally joined us after finding a parking space, we had to send him back to get the car. From there we decided to go back into the downtown part of town and visit another one of our favorite restaurants... Pomo D'Oro. The chef, Aristoteles Megoulas, is quite brilliant. His meals are wonderfully based in Greek cuisine, with fresh, in season, Mediterranean foods, but he creates flavors in a most modern and intelligently Nouvelle Cuisine sort of way!

This restaurant has an incredible selection of wine. Many people go because his selection of Greek wines really is astounding.

Tonight though, none of us felt too much like wine. We had a pleasant evening of cocktails instead! (Be warned, in Greek restaurants that really "hits" your bill!) The menu was incredible, we really wanted to have a buffet so we could taste all the marvelous dishes.

We settled for a wonderful salad of mixed greens with raisins, pine nuts and a delicious vinaigrette, we also ordered a warm starter of Manouri cheese wrapped in Parma ham with pears and walnuts. Main courses were, amazing chicken fillet, stuffed with cheese and prunes in a wonderful sauce; shrimp cooked in saffron sauce, and Sea Bream delicately grilled with rosemary. Every bite was wonderful.

For 'afters' we opted for espresso and a cappuccino, and decided to share one dessert. A "brownie with ice cream" sounded like a nice finish.

The absolute piece de resistance of the whole dinner, however, turned out to be that "brownie with ice cream"--- that simple description, absolutely-no-way tells you, what a fantastic trip into chocolate heaven that dessert really was!! It wasn't too sweet but rich and chocolaty, yet light as a mousse. The ice cream was delicate and had an almost coconut taste next to the chocolate.

It was unlike any brownie I have ever made, but one I now aspire to!! I think we would have fought to lick the plate if no one had been watching. We behaved (and sadly left the plate on the table) and didn't even begrudge (too much) the 120 euro (including tip) bill.

So concludes another fine evening dining in Corfu! (Sorry, it's JUST past midnight so it's tomorrow- but it really is today's- Thursday- post.)

Lunch like a Tourist!

We almost never go out to lunch, even back when were WERE tourists! Mostly because when we first started coming to Corfu, it was winter time and most of the tourist places were all closed and it seemed there weren't too many places TO go to lunch anyway!

Well, now I know that there are many interesting places to eat lunch "like a local" on Corfu, and probably this winter I'll go and visit a few of those places again (and take pictures!).

For now though, T and I decided to be "like tourists" and go to one of my cousin Jeremy's favorite restaurants, The Molfetto Beach Bar/Restaurant (which we'd never been to!) in Gouvia, and sample the fare.

It's a pretty place right on the beach and it wasn't too busy (have to say: this year NOTHING'S been "too" busy...). The wait staff were charming and helpful, and the service was good. The prices were about standard for tourist spots.

I ordered a Greek Salad, while T ordered a Club Sandwich with french fries. (I saved room so I could have a scoop of Coffee Ice Cream!) with two draft beers and the tip, it came to just under 25 euros. It was pretty basic (but fresh and tasty) food. As it was a really hot day (almost 98 F!), I had wanted to sit near to the water and in the shade, to catch the breeze it was a perfect location.

It was a lovely place to have a meal and in spite of the heat we felt cool and refreshed. (of course after we finished, we had to get in the car! which was about 200 F!)

From all that Jeremy told us about the place, he and Melissa (both in their 20's) really enjoyed the wide variety of cocktails, the live music, sometimes dancing, and often "shows", in the evenings and the ginormous fish tank in the middle of the bar seating area. (of course I don't have a picture of that, so you have to click the link!) It sounds like a fun place to visit, but T and I were satisfied with our "tourist" foray into Lunch.

We've been enjoying this past several days "on vacation" at home... it's been strange but very enjoyable! Still today may end up being a more practical day. As it's a bit cloudy, I may see what is ready in the garden...