We were already planning to visit
Vassilis Taverna in Loggos, Paxos. Then a local told us that it's the best restaurant on the island. We'd have to agree with that.
Loggos is a picture perfect little village on the sea with just the right amount of restaurants, a couple of bars and cute little gift shops.
On our first visit we bagged a precious table by the seafront. Cars do come down the narrow harbour side road next to the tables and it's even on the island bus route. Although how a coach fits through the gap without falling into the harbour I'll never know. (We never quite caught it going past).
We began with
bread, virgin olive oil and Kalamata olives. (€1). The bread was excellent and from the local and popular village bakery.
Then some
Dips. (€6). Tzatziki, aubergine with smoked taramasalata and yellow split pea purée. The presentation in cones was fun and the dips were lovely.
Then a trilogy of feta cheese and courgette
croquettes served with ratatouille and melon vinaigrette (€7.50).
Again, the presentation and little details lifted it way above the usual Greek fayre. There's an obvious Italian influence as well. The only problem was that all the food came at once so we were a little rushed on this occasion. The
Cuttlefish Risotto with ink (€14.50) was absolutely perfect. When a risotto is done
just right, like this, it's one of
the most enjoyable dishes.
We also had a beautiful
Tuna Tartar with white truffle oil and cheese vinaigrette (€11.50).
Also
Corals of Sea Urchin served with zest of lime and black pure salt. (€12.90). This was interesting, not sure I'd need to order it again though at this price.
Unfortunately, a table three down had
the loudest elderly British woman on it, (in a group of several, all speaking at normal levels apart from her) in the end we had to laugh and go with it. She clearly had
no idea she was spoiling the ambience for every one else in the vicinity. It's hardly the restaurants fault. They were well understaffed though on our first night so it was very slow. One of their waiters had apparently got sunstroke. He should have put Factor 50 on like we did!
The home made
Cheesecake with a crispy base of pistachio, marscarpone cream and fresh fig jam to finish was absolutely fabulous, I can't recall ever having a better one, the pistachio base really worked.
We returned a few days later and this time got there early (it does get full very quickly and people tend to reserve the tables right on the front). We had that wonderful bread again and the house red.
The
Prawns Saganaki in spicy sauce of fresh tomato and feta (€11) was yet another winner. I love this place, it's just
so much better than the usual Greek restaurants (which I also enjoy for what they are).
Caramelized Octopus cooked with Ouzo served with yellow split pea purée (€13.50) was pretty good, not rubbery at all, I'd have preferred it slightly more tender.
The winning dish on this evening for me was the
Crayfish served with Orzo, sweet white wine sauce and truffle oil (€21).
We also
loved the
Lamb served with Orzo and smoked cheese cream. I've been told that you can get Orzo from most supermarkets, but somehow this has passed me by, it really worked in these dishes.
We
had to have the same cheesecake again and an ok chocolate dessert (pretty much just melted chocolate).
We reckon
Vassilis Taverna is without doubt the best restaurant on the island. Service was better on our second visit (they were quite reluctant to give me a menu to take-away for some reason, do they not know who I am?)
Joking aside, this is seriously good food in a near perfect setting. If you're in Paxos this Summer or any Summer you need to go here at least once.
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