In a handsome 19th-century town house with a courtyard, Spondi (Pirronos 5, Pagkrati, Athens), Greece’s best restaurant for the last 10 consecutive years (2001-2010), member of Relais et Chateaux, Relais Gourmands and 61st best restaurant of the world for 2007 according to “Restaurant Magazine, celebrates its 15 years of awards by introducing a series of culinary events that will last until the end of the year, with themes inspired by seasonal products.
After the “tomato’s menu”, with the tomato being the key ingredient, served during June, and the “Asian menu”, served during July and August, Spondi’s executive chef, Arnaud Bignon (2 michelin stars), under the guidance of Eric Frechon (3 michelin stars), has prepared a new 5 dish menu for September. This month’s theme: shellfish.
The French chef says goodbye to the summer by using a summery ingredient which he binds with Greek and exotic flavours. The menu starts with mussels cooked with fresh turmeric, salicornia and green apple salad bringing sour-sweet and salty tones to the sea freshness of the mussels. The second dish of the menu is a compression of crab, tomato, avocado and acidulated juice in an ensemble of juicy, fatty and meaty bites. The third creation unites the Sardinian fregola, cooked as a risotto, with calamari, cockles accompanied by shellfish foam and the acidic kaffir lime while the fourth dish is a sea-land inspiration where the oyster and the sea lettuce meet with a forth of smoked potato and romaine salad juice. The menu is completed with a non shellfish dessert (that would be really interesting) of figs roasted with orange redcurrant jelly and ginger bread ice cream. Also, during the dinner amuse bouches, pre-dessert and mignardises will be served. One could accompany the menu’s dishes with two glasses of wine that Spondi’s sommeliers propose. Both of them, Santorini Argyros Atlantis 2009 and Santo Wines, Nuchteri Santorini 2009, come from Greek wineries and their acidic and fruity notes bind excellent with the shellfish. Nevertheless, if you would like to taste another food-wine combination you would be able to choose through an extensive wine menu.
Tags: Arnaud Bignon, best restaurants in Athens, Eric Frechon, fine dining in Athens, shellfish menu, Spondi
[...] In a handsome 19th-century town house with a courtyard, Spondi (Pirronos 5, Pagkrati, Athens), Greece’s best restaurant for the last 10 consecutive years (2001-2010), member of Relais et Chateaux, Relais Gourmands and 61st best restaurant of the world for 2007 according to “Restaurant Magazine, celebrates its 15 years of awards by introducing a series of culinary events that will last until the end of the year, with themes inspired by seasonal products. (World’s 50 Best) [...]