Funky Gourmet (Athens)

Review: Funky Gourmet Restaurant

Rating: ★★★★★

Awards: 3 Michelin star

Cost: $$$$

Date visited: December 2014

After the glorious reviews in various websites (NY Times, Trip Advisor) it was fitting that this trip to Athens include a dinning experience at Funky Gourmet to see what all the fuss is about.

The restaurant is tucked away in the suburbs of Keremeikos on 13th Paramythias Street, it is easy to get to via taxi and the area is not that flashy but okay. To be honest many areas of Athens is not flashy so this is normal.

The restaurant features 2 main chefs: Georgi-Anna Hiliadaki and Nick Roussos The chefs went to Institute of Culinary Education in New York and established this restaurant in 2009 and soon after Funky Gourmet was ranked as one of Greece's best restaurants. In 2010, Funky Gourmet received the Gourmet Award for Best Arrival of the Year and the following year its two chefs were awarded the Chef of the Year Gourmet Award. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2012 and two Michelin stars in 2014. It was consistently ranked in 1st Place on Trip Advisor from 2011 for Athens best Molecular gastronomy restaurant. The great success has also seen both chefs as guest presenters for TEDx Athens in 2011.

Funky Gourmet is a small restaurant with a warm and inviting ambiance. I was greeted at the taxi by a staff member who escorted me out of the taxi with an umbrella due to the Greek Winter rain. After coat check I was escorted upstairs to the dining area. The staff were very attentive and got me a welcome drink as I examined the menu being spoilt for choice.

There were 15 items presented in the Degustation Menu 2. Accompanied with the wine pairing it became a 2 hour mission of indulging in modern food with a Greek twist. The culinary experience was amazing and highly recommended. What followed next is best described in Pictures:

Salsify in the soil

Greek Taco (with Smoked Eel)

Topinambour ‘a la polita’

Snails with Eartly Aroma

‘Kakavia’ fish soup Shabu

‘Kakavia’ fish soup Shabu

Coulouri bread and Cretan buttermilk

Greek Salad (Sorbet form)

Scallop in the sea

The Silence of the Lamb: Part 1- The brain

The Silence of the Lamb: Part 2

Milk Skin Bracelet

Milk Skin Bracelet with Honey Liquor

Smoked Ice cream Sandwich

Chocolate Soup

Signature Dish: Orange Explosion

The overall culinary experience and service was fantastic, a 5 star rating was earned. At the conclusion of the meal, my taxi was pre-ordered by the staff who had my details from booking and I had to just sit and relax without a word being spoken as my driver took me back to the hotel. I look forward to returning here for another awesome experience.

My highlight was the Orange Explosion dessert which you can see here in a video: