Evaluation: Lamda Informal Eating, Vasiliki, Lefkada

Inbuilt 1846 and re-imagined in 2024, Lamda Informal Eating occupies a lovingly restored dwelling with a sun-faded stone façade, located immediately on the water’s edge within the coronary heart of Vasiliki. The historical past of the constructing is there for all to see however what’s taking place there now’s something however old school. As a substitute, it’s a culinary reboot of Greek custom: reverent, however not nostalgic. Greek delicacies with a contemporary twist — and maybe a contact of theatre.

The meals

Dishes arrived with understated drama – by no means pretentious, however at all times composed. And served with the utmost care and attentiveness We started proceedings with the cornbread sourdough – delicate and heat, it was accompanied with salted fish roe and citrus-marinated olives — a nod to custom, but with a gently rebellious observe.

My favorite dish of the night was the lentils, one of many humblest of pulses, elevated with probably the most scrumptious smoked eel, cauliflower purée and fragrant oil.

Feta cheese, normally a country staple, was served breaded in polenta, drizzled with a thyme honey from Lefkada and a beneficiant sprinking of black sesame.

Don’t additionally miss the grilled octopus, superbly tender, paired with a carrot purée, pickled pearl onions, rice chips and a tarragon oil – a textural masterclass.

Additionally worthy of point out is the crispy mozzarella, set on a canvas of eggplant and tomato marmalade, and laced with basil oil, and the wealthy and comforting shrimp saganaki, reimagined with a contact of candy chilli, Metsovone cheese and basil.

For me, the standout most important was my seafood orzo, glistening with shrimp and squid, in a tomato and basil discount that struck simply the best chord of simplicity, while nonetheless being full of flavour.

My spouse swore by her Black Angus burger, served with pickled cucumber, Cheddar, onion mayo, and crispy potato rocks. And the indulgent deconstructed pastitsio — with layers of beef ragu, pasta, béchamel foam, and seared parmesan, even bought the higher of my son’s huge urge for food.

Desserts didn’t disappoint both, from the deconstructed lemon tart with blueberries, caramelised Aegina pistachios and chocolate flakes, to the chocolate fondant, served with crème anglaise, Madagascar vanilla, yuzu, dried rose, and ice cream. Decadent, dreamy… and fairly in all probability extra energy than we should always have had, however nothing {that a} run the following morning couldn’t type out.

The chef

Menelaos Chalikiopoulos is not only a chef. He’s, in the perfect sense, an architect of urge for food and reminiscence. His meals feels prefer it’s looking out — for misplaced flavours, for brand new frontiers, for the tales in between.

Having skilled in a number of the sharper corners of European delicacies, Chalikiopoulos returns to Lefkada not with a mission to modernise for the sake of novelty, however to pay attention extra intently to the land and sea he grew up with — and to allow them to communicate. There’s humility in his innovation. He doesn’t shout by the plate; he whispers.

His dishes dance between confidence and restraint — daring with out being brash, elevated with out alienating. That steadiness is tough to show. It’s instinctual.

The atmosphere

What higher setting may you discover? We have been seated simply a few yards from the water’s edge, interrupted solely by the light hum of different blissful diners, seemingly envious passers-by, and the hush of boats nudging in opposition to Vasiliki harbour. And in opposition to this backdrop of stone and sea, the waiting-on workers are very attentive, however by no means overbearing.

The fee

Don’t anticipate conventional taverna pricing, however do put together your self for distinctive worth. Most starters hover round €14–17, and mains largely sit within the €24–28 vary.

Wines begin at €36 a bottle – we had the Chardonnay from the Karipidi Property (close to Larissa in central Greece), priced at €48.

The ultimate verdict

In a village finest identified for its windsurfing and relaxed vibe, Lamda Informal Eating presents one thing slightly completely different to anything on Vasiliki’s waterfront. Quitely radical and providing a extra refined eating expertise, Lamda is a spot to savour – not only for the meals, however the additionally temper, the second and the mellow tempo of a particular Lefkada night.

Disclosure: This put up is sponsored by Lamda Informal Eating. Our journey was sponsored by AEGEAN Airways.