You go see Mimis Lionakis for the same reason you go see your shrink: for a pick-me-up! Hidden down a side street a stone’s throw from the bustling sirtaki on Groenplaats, the Cretan chef’s sunny little hideaway serves uplifting cuisine made for sharing, that’s slicker than your average stuffed vine leaves from a can. The house specialty? Creamy white tarama, subtly flavored with seaweed, herbs and fat fish roe. Followed by some fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with herby rice; a cracking bean stew in a wonderfully tomatoey sauce; a delightfully simple lamb and spinach ragu; or even some tasty grilled octopus salad (the most tender we’ve ever tasted) seasoned with a parsley and onion vinaigrette. The cherry on the dákos? None of the food has anything to do with your Oedipus complex! // Juno Madre
FEELING THIRSTY ? Cretan wines, obvs! A white Dafni by Lyrarakis (€32 a bottle), a red Dafnios from the Douloufakis winery (€35) or Psithiros from the winemakers at Silva Daskalaki (€35).
PRICE : Dips €7, dishes €14-17 (small), €26-29 (large). Payment in cash or via Payconiq.
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