Eating in Greece

I thought there should be a whole post devoted to eating in Greece. There are no dead fast rules like at home. No rules at all. No matter what time you go and sit at a table - you choose your table for one, and then you can have only drink, only an appetizer, a full meal or whatever you like. Sharing is expected, you will be offered or given another plate even if you order only one appetizer with your wine or drinks. One can share appetizers, main courses - there is no such thing as having to order an entrée. As our waiter said last night “ you’re the boss”. If you want only a salad - that’s fine.

We usually have wine, sometimes at a different café or taverna than where we eat. Then we move onto choosing what we will eat, and more wine of course. When you eventually ask for the check, you are brought a little digestive, usually the local liqueur, and sometimes of a bit of something sweet to eat or most of the time a little bit of fruit salad. Always fresh fruits, little bits of chopped kiwi, strawberries, apple or whatever. If your meal cost 10 euro (like our mixed seafood grill last night), you pay for that and your wine and nothing else. Last night we did each have our own meal, but still, eating really good food can be really inexpensive.

One eats sweets or ice cream as a snack, any time of day, but NOT after a meal. It’s all very interesting!

Greek yogurt, always for breakfast and also used in making many local dishes. In the morning, one has yogurt with fresh fruit, museuli and always with honey. It’s not the runny, liquid stuff we have at home; if any one has ever experienced Fromage Blanc in France, it is similar. It is also plain, not sour and is bought in big tubs like we might get cottage cheese. It is one wonderful experience.

Honey - used for everything. Sits on the table next to the sugar. Not quite as sweet as the honey we have at home - I shall have to tell our bees about that!

Final thing I can think of - deep fried potatoes with salt and oregano!