I was about to discover why Athens, Greece tops the list for a gastronomic affair. All too soon our #winelover stay in Athens was coming to an end, as we were off to a farewell dinner at Aleria Restaurant. I would soon find out why this restaurant is a must. It was the perfect ending for our #winelover celebrations.
If you are looking for fine dining, with modern Greek Cuisine and great wines this is the place. Here's why.
Be Prepared to be Amazed at Aleria
Typically I like to arrive at a new location early to explore. I so loved what I discovered in this restaurant. First of all, this restaurant is tastefully decorated, even the nooks and crannies are filled with amazing details. Our #winelover group dined in the banquet room, which is available for large groups, such as ours.
Throughout the restaurant you will find a number of other dining options. I loved taking a look at these spaces.
The attention to decorative details at Aleria amazed me.
I managed to capture a view of the outdoor patio from the second level. This area is available for dining in the summer months.
Then there were the special indoor spaces.
Just having time to explore Aleria was so special. It definitely hits high marks on ambiance and setting.
An Amazing Evening with Greek Wines
Adjacent to our dining area on a table just outside were some special wines decanting. In fact I watched the staff setup the wines before dinner.
Another view of the wines shows off the ambiance of Aleria.
Now for a closer look at the wines that were decanting.
Just to let you know the Nouveau Greek Cuisine at the farewell dinner was awesome; so let's begin first with the wines.
Our evening began with welcoming drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
A glass of Domaine Glinavos, Lifteris Brut was an excellent way to begin.
The sparkling wine and hors d'oeuvres set the stage for a perfect farewell dinner.
Awesome Greek Wines
Yes, the wines at the farewell dinner were awesome. Here are some of the wines that were available for tasting at our table:
1. White Wines
Ktima Gerovassiliou, White Wine (Malagousia &Assyrtiko) 2015
Ktima Gerovassiliou was one of the wineries I visited earlier during a tour of Northern Greece.
Zacharias Vineyard, Sklava 2015
Santorini 2014
Wine Art Estate, Techni Assyrtiko 2015
The Wine Art Estate was included in my earlier visit to Northern Greece.
2. Rosé Wines
Domaine Costa Lazaridi, Amethystos Rosé 2015
Limnos Organic Wines, Vin Doux
3. Red Wines
Kir-Yianni 2012 & Xinomaypo
Kir-Yianni was included in my earlier visit to Northern Greece.
Averoff, Xinomavro, PDO Naoussa 2011
Averoff was included in my earlier visit to Northern Greece.
Porto Carras, LimNeon 2013
Porto Carras was included in my earlier visit to Northern Greece.
Grampsas Winery, Red Wine 2014
Costa Lazaridi Cabernet Sauvignon Agiorgitiko 2013
Santo Wines
Next, there was a delightful Santo red wine and those special decanted wines.
Tanstali, Rapsani Grand Reserve 2009
Amongst the decanter wines poured that night was the award winning Tanstali, Rapsani Grand Reserve 2009. This is a very special wine, which was shared towards the end of the meal before dessert.
It is always so very special to taste Rapsani Wines, which I have the pleasure to do so earlier in Northern Greece.
Without doubt dinner with these wines hits high marks.
A Foodie's Delight
Now for a brief photo re-cap of the fabulous foods that were served. Let's take a look.
Greek Ceviche
Meat Balls
The vegetarian variation was equally tempting.
Mixed Green Pie
Again the vegetarian variation was equally delicious.
Red Pumpkin Mousse
Slow Roasted Lamb
The vegetarian substitute for the lamb was a mushroom dish.
Pastitio
Next, let's take a peek at dessert.
There were Greek cheese plates to share.
But of course there were desserts.
Our farewell dining experience at Aleria was with amazing evening of wine and food.
Thanks for the Memories
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| Aleria Restaurant, Athens © Spaswinefood |
Be Prepared to be Amazed at Aleria
Typically I like to arrive at a new location early to explore. I so loved what I discovered in this restaurant. First of all, this restaurant is tastefully decorated, even the nooks and crannies are filled with amazing details. Our #winelover group dined in the banquet room, which is available for large groups, such as ours.
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| Tables Waiting, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Our Table, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Table for Two, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Another Table for Two, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| A Special Wine Moment, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Special Spaces, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelovers, Aleria Restaurant Garden © Spaswinefood |
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| Aleria Restaurant's Special Spaces © Spaswinefood |
An Amazing Evening with Greek Wines
Adjacent to our dining area on a table just outside were some special wines decanting. In fact I watched the staff setup the wines before dinner.
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| Preparing The Special Wines, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| The Wines, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Wines Decanting © Spaswinefood |
Our evening began with welcoming drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
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| Domaine Glinavos, Lifteris Brut 2012 © Spaswinefood |
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| Hors d'Oeuvres, Aleria © Spaswinefood |
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| Hors d'Oeuvres, Aleria © Spaswinefood |
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| Hors d'Oeuvres to Tempt, Aleria © Spaswinefood |
Awesome Greek Wines
Yes, the wines at the farewell dinner were awesome. Here are some of the wines that were available for tasting at our table:
1. White Wines
Ktima Gerovassiliou, White Wine (Malagousia &Assyrtiko) 2015
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| Ktima Gerovassiliou, Malagousia & Assyrtiko 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Zacharias Vineyard, Sklava 2015
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| Zacharias Vineyard, Sklava 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Zacharias Vineyard, Sklava 2015 (notes) © Spaswinefood |
Santorini 2014
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| Santorini 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Wine Art Estate, Techni Assyrtiko 2015
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| Wine Art Estate, Techni Assyrtiko 2015 © Spaswinefood |
2. Rosé Wines
Domaine Costa Lazaridi, Amethystos Rosé 2015
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| Domaine Costa Lazaridi, Amethystos Rosé 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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Limnos Organic Wines, Vin Doux © Spaswinefood
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3. Red Wines
Kir-Yianni 2012 & Xinomaypo
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| Kir-Yianni 2012 & Xinomaypo © Spaswinefood |
Averoff, Xinomavro, PDO Naoussa 2011
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| Averoff, Xinomavro, PDO Naoussa 2011 © Spaswinefood |
Porto Carras, LimNeon 2013
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| Porto Carras, LimNeon 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| Porto Carras, LimNeon 2013 (back label) © Spaswinefood |
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| Grampsas Winery, Red Wine 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Costa Lazaridi Cabernet Sauvignon Agiorgitiko 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Next, there was a delightful Santo red wine and those special decanted wines.
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| Santo Wines 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Decanted Red Wine © Spaswinefood |
Amongst the decanter wines poured that night was the award winning Tanstali, Rapsani Grand Reserve 2009. This is a very special wine, which was shared towards the end of the meal before dessert.
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| Tanstali, Rapsani Grand Reserve 2009 © Spaswinefood |
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| #Winelover Time, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
A Foodie's Delight
Now for a brief photo re-cap of the fabulous foods that were served. Let's take a look.
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| Dinner Begins, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Greek Ceviche, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Greek Ceviche (Veggie Style), Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Meat Balls, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Veggie Balls, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Mixed Green Pie, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Mixed Green Pie (Veggie Style), Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Red Pumpkin Mousse, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Slow Roasted Lamb
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| Slow Roasted Lamb, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Veggie Style, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Pastitio
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| Pastitio, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Onto Dessert Wines, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
There were Greek cheese plates to share.
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| Greek Cheeses, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Malcedonian Halva Mousse, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Baklava, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Thanks for the Memories
Special thanks to our hosts for a gastronomic affair to remember. The owner of Aleria Restaurant and his staff provided the uttermost attention to details. The service that evening was first class.
Our #Winelover activities in Greece were organized by Ted Lelekas. Special thanks to Ted for such an amazing program. The wine places we visited, with a little culture thrown into the mix, provided fabulous opportunities to explore Greek Wines.
Yes, you too can discover that special #winelover magic in Greece. Sure, while you are in Athens checkout the ruins but also while you are doing so, do not forget to also make it a wine and food adventure. I look forward to writing about future Greek #winelover experiences at Spaswinefood.
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| Our Hosts, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| The King & The Prime Minister, Aleria Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Sharon
Athens, Greece
February 2016
© Spaswinefood
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