A SOLO DAY IN ATEHNS, GREECE
Lunch at SMILE Restaurant and went to the The Acropolis, dinner at Spondi
OF COURSE STARTED MY EARLY JET LAGGED DAY WITH A MIRROR SELFIE. Flew one stop from Los Angeles but I slept the entire time both flights.
Lunch at SMILE Restaurant. For 10 euros you get bread with greek, salad gyro, and dessert.
GYROOOOOOOO!
Very fresh greek yogurt with a little honey and cookie crumble. Perfect ending for a quick cheap meal.
THANK U SMILE CAFE RESTAURANT!
From friends of friends I was told not to ride the subway alone even in daylight but I did anyway and I guess either times have changed or I was lucky. It seemed very new, clean, and safe, better than New York or Paris subway lines for sure. I did get a complete stare down of disgust by some girl for no reason at all but I didn't let it get in the way of my time there.
OFF TO THE ACROPOLIS:
*no caption needed* I got there around 12-1pm and waited about 20 minutes in line in the hot sun for a 20 euro ticket. I thought it was totally worth it.
The hike up is not too bad but it was super hot like mid 90's F. When you get to the top there are 360 views all around of the entire city. Even though I had only been in Athens for 4 hours I felt like I already knew the city so well being on my own. If you've never taken a solo vacation to a foreign country I highly recommend it. Don't be scared, just explore and be aware of shady people of course.
I was pretty jet lagged and tired from the sun so I headed back to my hotel by subway again. Not to mention I suntanned for about an hour on the roof before the Acropolis so I sank into my bed within seconds.
Set an alarm for my 7pm dinner reservation at Spondi. I WAS SOOOOOOOO TIRED and wanted to just go back to sleep in my comfy bed but of course there's food to be eaten and taken pictures of.
So I got ready in heels (I HATE HEELS) and took a cab to the restaurant because friends also said not to take the subway at night.... but I thought it would've been fine just not in heels.
I am their second table and I see there is no dress code because the man at the other table is wearing a Hawaiian shirt. Damn tourist trap I thought. Also during the time I went to Greece most mom and pop shops are on vacation for 1-2 weeks =[
ANYWAYS THEIR SPECIAL NATIVE OLIVE OIL REALLY GOOD.
Amuse bouche: Pear sorbet with beets
I opted for the "Initiation Menu" which was 73 euros with a supplemental course of foie gras for 41 euros.
Crab with turnip, Acacia honey, tarragon, passionfruit. PERECT LIGHT START TO MY UPCOMING FATTY MEAL.
MOUSSE OF GROUPER. WAIT WHAT??? in onions and wild herb broth. This was technically and texturally out of this world. The broth went so well with the fatty mousse... I drank it all.
Black Iberian pork with roasted pressa, smoked eggplant, hariassa spices. COOKED PERFECTLY I don't think I've ever had pork cooked that rare but I guess it's ok because its Iberian???
Ah, yes my foie gras course all to my fat self. They did not skimp me one bit. You know I dug right into it and it was the most scorching temperature that I've ever consumed foie at and it was mind blowing. Simply pan fried with caramelized popcorn on top to give it the sweetness it always needs. Served with seasonal stone fruits.
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Mmmmm... greek yogurt again!
This looks like a lamb chop but it's really not. Dessert which was a praline feuilletine crisp with apricot that was delicious. PRALINE IS MY FAVORITE FLAVOR IN DESSERTS. MAYBE IN THE WORLD.
Raspberry tart bite to end the meal.
At the end of my meal as they were getting me a taxi back to the hotel my waiter gave me a French best restaurants in the world book it was very sweet of him.
I had a great day alone in Athens meeting new people and experiences on my own. I'm glad I got to share it with you guys!
THANK YOU SPONDI!
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