In celebration of International Womens Day..

Image by JIGGS IMAGES via Flickr

Delphie (Cardesifire) (IWD) is marked on the 8th of March every year. It is a major day of global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements.

Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc. In many regions, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love for women in a way somewhat similar to a mixture of Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day. In other regions, however, the original political and human rights theme designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.

It is celebrated all over Greece.

So, last night, to kick up my heels and be united with women world wide, I went into town with five wild, crazy, charming and (yes, sadly for all my guests- no pictures) anonymous women friends to a delightful and VERY reasonable little restaurant- in fact it's name is Godero ( Γοδέρω) which means delight or enjoy.

It is a Mezedopoleio (μεζεδοπωλείο) or restaurant that provides exceptional Meze's or starters. It was a wonderful evening, and tho I don't have pictures of the food either - (it was so good and we all helped ourselves - making it very difficult to get pictures with all the passing of plates and clinking of forks!)

There were many women out celebrating together.

What always surprises me is that people didn't really arrive until around 10 pm. (we arrived around 9:15 and were the first table seated!) The restaurant is normally a hangout of students, which at first made me worried a bit, but when we got there I found it perfect.

I will describe a bit of what we had: first a delicious salad, then feta cheese in the oven, roasted hot peppers, a dish of melt in your mouth pork, mussels, homemade french fries, bites of tender beef in sofrito sauce, deep fried tomato "meatballs" (and I am CERTAIN at least two or three other things I can't remember...as I was drinking tsipouro*)

The wine and tsipouro (Τσίπουρο) flowed freely, and we all enjoyed ourselves, except for our "driving" friend. As she has a young baby at home, she volunteered to stay sober for the police traps.


For dessert we ordered a little "selection" of chocolate souffles, Bailey's Irish cheesecake, and cherry cheesecake (with a side dollop of whipped cream) They were all the size of large cupcakes, and they were delivered to the table on a lovely platter- with five spoons! So again, sorry, no photos.

I am, however, including a few photos of the lovely interior. There was a large garden in the back that I am certain will be delightful in the summertime. I look forward to going back to this great place again!

*: Tsipouro is one of the oldest spirits in the world. It is first mentioned in Mount Athos, in Greece of course, in the 14th century A.D.

(also forgive the quality of the pictures: the photographer much enjoyed the tsipouro AND it was pouring down rain besides!)