by Every summer our evenings have the scent of chic Greek holidays in the most beautiful setting of the Athens Riviera.
It has been an open secret for many years that the start of the summer season can only be officially declared if it takes place the most anticipated opening of the summer: that of Island Athens Riviera.
This year again, the favorite “island” of the ubiquitous jet set and the most stylish Athenian crowd, where we met occasionally from Meryl Streep and Hugh Jackman to the Prince and Princess of Monaco, made its grand premiere with a glamorous evening on May 4 and waiting for us to give each other a gift magical evenings full of fantastic music from world class DJs, great tastes, better cocktails and of course her the most beautiful view of the Athens Riviera.
Carved on the rock, with the sea stretching below and the starry sky of Attica crowning our evenings, at Island, summer tastes like an island. An island where everything is possible and often the stars in the sky pale with brilliance before the fireworks that set our nights ablaze. The restaurant and the club area have been renewed in small touches to, like every season, offer the best level of service to their sworn publicwho comes here to escape from the ordinary and live unique experiences in a magnificent setting.
The award-winning executive chef of the entire Panas Group, Nikos Skliras, whose cuisine is recommended by the Michelin Guide for the second consecutive year, continues on its paths of eternal success, offering delicious moments to the diners who take their place at the robust tables of the restaurant with the most beautiful view of Attica. Here Mediterranean-Greek cuisine with an emphasis on premium ingredients and with Asian and global influences creates a cosmopolitan dining experience for demanding palates. On the new menu, of course, we first encounter the island’s famous sushi section, with the signature rolls stealing the show and our hearts. The good spicy Avocado & Spicy Shrimps, the Rock & Roll special with golden tobiko and the funky Rainbow Salmon are by far some of the best in town, while the Asian-inspired options in the salads complete the exotic setting.
Among the starters, the best seller remains the thyme honey and black sesame crusted feta, while the vitello tonnato with the perfectly cut veal in a tuna emulsion, I think this is easily one of the best in Athens. An undisputed must is the lightly seared scallops with perfectly cooked fregola and delicate lobster bisque.
A special mention is required for the Extremely bound crayfish barley flavored with Kozani yellowa dish which for me amply proves that culinary mastery is hidden in simplicity, and of course in top quality ingredients.
With meat and fish come from the best suppliers in our country, Nikos Skliras has all the guarantees to create his art without distraction. I personally tried a masterfully grilled Rib Eye with teriyaki and anticucho sauce, accompanied by an aromatic and airy mashed sweet potato and had the best impressions. But the crispy pork with leek cream and the grouper fillet with yuzu lemon mousse also received excellent reviews from diners.
In cocktails, the menu has a resolutely exotic allure, with the signatures playing with excellent spirits and exotic ingredients. Verano Amarillo with white rum, melon, mint and citrus clearly contains the most beautiful aromas of summer with an indefinable tropical note. The wine list is curated by the group’s experienced sommeliers and includes rare and excellent labels.
Note that this year Island welcomes us with an even more magical sound quality and state-of-the-art facilities that promise its sworn audience to take full advantage of the cutting-edge programming that will occupy the turntables this summer. Infinity parties every Thursday and Jafari every Sunday put Athens on the map of major global events with top international DJs and are now an institution. Of course, once again this year, the biggest names on the international music scene arrive in Athens as guests of Island. Adriatic, WhoMadeWho, Bedouin, Damian Lazarus, Argy and Agents of Time are just some of the names that will be welcomed to the club’s decks, while Saturday, June 17 Meduza Grammy nominees are planning a party that will go down in history.
Specifically, this year line up understand :
01/06 Gerd Janson
04/06 Agents of Time
06/11 Dixson
06/11 Economist
06/17 Jellyfish
06/18 Carlita
06/25 Faithful
02/07 Adriatic
09/07Argy
07/13 Damien Lazare
07/16 Who did who
07/23 Bedouins
07/30 Stephane Jolk
08/27 Soul
Info: 27THE km Athens – Souniou, Varkiza, Athens Riviera, tel.2109653563, www.islandclubrestaurant.gr
