The Sunday Getaway - 19 01 2025 - Speakeasy Athens
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It's Wednesday evening as I receive a text from my fellow foodie. "Guess what? That French win bar got shut. And in response, they just opened a speakeasy ramen place". And then I receive their instagram handle where they accept reservations for €20 a pop.
I look them up, only to find a private profile. Wtf? Who launches a restaurant and expects everyone to befriend them for getting a reservation (let alone just some info when you curious-browse on your couch). Regardless, I budge...?only to be told that they have spots at 5 / 5.30 / 6.00. Again, who on earth does dinner in Athens that early? I completely disengage thinking this is just a fad.
Friday afternoon, new text. "I got a table for 2 for 7.30. Feel free to join, if not I'll go on my own". A couple of hours later, I'm there. As I'm approaching the address, I can see a few hipsters making their way out of a no-label storefront. A young lady (seemingly the hostess) is farewelling them, closing the door as the shutters start coming down. I buzz in and a few moments later we find ourselves inside what seems to be an?atelier-cum-designers studio. There are a couple of turntables with some funky handmade loudspeakers playing uplifting tunes; a shiny discoball, an old Vespa and other 60s furniture lying around this?low-dimmed space. "Your table is getting prepped, anything to drink while you wait?".
We step into a candle-lit dining area, go right through the back of the building to this?makeshift kitchen and, after stepping onto a small ladder, we're seated at the "chef's table". Bright red plastic stools, a hip crowd and a very warm vibe. Wow. After an abrupt end to one of the finest wine bars in Athens, the team quickly assembles a makeshift, speakeasy experience nowhere else to be found around the Greek capital.
A simple ramen-based menu, some kick-ass gyozas and (of course) wine. Donations (in cash), not payments accepted.
Quick and dirty? Yes. Borderline legal? A ha. Brilliant? Hell yeah.
Travel On.
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