Back in
action with my third visit to one of the longest running restaurants in Athens,
open since 1978!!! Paradiso is family run Italian restaurant in Chalandri with
the presence of the second generation owner Gregory being reason on its own to
visit it. Greg respects and knows the wine better than any other restaurant
owner in Athens. Paradiso is one of the
few restaurants in Athens that you can get a flight of 5 wines for 10 euro to
match your dinner, Greg will spend time to explain and give every possible info
on each wine you will try. The wine list changes every month including both
rare and mainstream choices really fairly priced.
The
Decoration is really minimal and not dinner friendly, but this is certainly something you will forget once the dishes start coming.
We started
our dinner with the prosciutto salad which was really good with really fresh
ingredients and a perfectly balanced sweet-sour dressing. The two appetizers were eggplant croquets and
some really delicious brouschettes. The wine suggestion of Greg was the
amazingly crispy Chardonnay from katsarou winery which we really enjoyed.
We got 4 different main courses and everything was really well cooked, my
tagliata di manzo was simply astonishing.
The meat had this amazing buttery texture and it was perfectly medium grilled.
Top notch quality bio meat which I really enjoyed. My only small complain was
the side lettuce instead of the standard baby rucolla. 
The
highlight of the night though was the wine Greg chose for our main course.
Methistanes from dougos winery 2003 is probably the best Greek wine I have ever
tried alongside with La tour melas 2008. Unfortunately Greg informed me the
vintage is totally sold out so it will be really difficult for me to try it
again.
The nose of
the wine is fruity with aromas of dried cherry and strawberry. Body was full
with round tannins and long finish. An 93/100 for me, just imagine i didnt even tried the desserts not to lose the taste i had in mouth!
All in all
this is a restaurant for people who love wine and not only with great service
and great food. Highly suggested!
Cuisine: 7/10Wine List: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Atmosphere: 3/10
