Tsiknopempti - Barbeque Thursday
As I mentioned in our last little chat, food is very important to us Greeks. So, you can imagine that our holidays are food-filled frenzies and abundant with tradition. February 8th happens to be Tsiknopempti (tsik-now-pem-tee) this year. “Tsikno” refers to the fat that melts off the meat and burns into the flames. In the ancient days this offering was made to please the gods. “Pempti” is the day, Thursday. All together, we have today as the official day to stuff our faces with as much meat as we can get our hands on. For our healthy little stick figured friends, don’t worry because the 40 day lent season is about to begin and you can be on a diet then.
Ok, so our favorite type of meat here is what we call paithakia (pa-ee-tha-kia). For all you Greeks living in another country, I’m sorry. You might want to wipe that drip of saliva from your mouth. For the rest of you, paithakia are baby lamb chops that are much smaller than those eaten in the cuisine of other countries. They are young and therefore have not been in and out of the gym to toughen their meat. Traditionally they are cooked over a mesquite burning barbeque and definitely eaten with your hands… we like to embrace our food. This is an interactive experience. Of course we order sides and salads including tzatziki (the perfect food for that blind date-gone-bad; full of garlic), greens in lemon juice, fried zucchini, fried potatoes and a few others depending on the tavern.
Let’s get down to the where.
Mourouzis (Gikas)
in Kalivia
Located about 40 kilometers outside the center of Athens, this is a haven for carnivores. It’s in the town square and since it’s so large, you can’t miss it. This place seats over several hundred people, but don’t be fooled. If you plan on going today, you’ll have plenty of time to gain an appropriately sized appetite upon arrival.
Mouria
in Kitsi, Koropi
210.897.5095
A bit closer yet still outside of Athens, this place is another great option. It has a cozy little fireplace yet fits a sizable amount of people.
Myrtia
Aithiniou 55, Nea Smyrni
210.9370.708
This place is located between downtown and the coastline. It’s a hidden gem in a park with trees all around it. It’s an indoor/outdoor tavern, however the outdoor portion is fully covered with windows for winter dining. And you know what the best part is? They serve an amazing platter of loukoumades (little doughnuts, fried and smothered in honey and cinnamon) freshly made and steaming hot to sweeten up the digesting little lamb. I often dream of those delightful morsels, but they only bring them post-feasting.
Last but not least there is always our alternative; call some friends, fire-up your barbeque, pile on the chops and open a few bottles of wine. And if you miss it, never fear this is Greece. We’ll find another reason to celebrate something tomorrow.
