I have always wanted to visit this restaurant. Not because it appealed to me particularly, but because I have heard such mixed views about it that I wanted to discover the truth (although I am aware that there is no such thing as the objective truth in the world of eating experience). However, my curiosity wasn't strong enough to rush and spend much money on the experiment. I was just waiting for a good occasion and yesterday it finally materialised.
I had a visitor who should lead a group of 6 (except her and me). She wanted to go to Psaras, 1) because she liked it when she ate there last time and 2) it surely could accomodate a group of 8.
It was a weekday evening at 8 o'clock and, as you can imagine, it was less than half-full. They gave us a choice between outside and inside seatings and we opted for indoor, as, although it was a warm evening, it could get chillier later (it turned out to be a right decision).
According to the suggestion of my guest, I ordered following dishes: a talamosalata, a tzatziki, 2 fried calamari, 2 greek salads, 2 horta, 2 lamb youvetsi (one of the dishes of the day, we were told by our waiter), 4 bottles of beer (500ml) and a bottle of red wine. We got also bread, 2 small portion of herbed cream-cheese (never seen in other Greek tavernas), and two bottles of water.
Our order arrived incredibly quickly. Or, maybe not incredibly, for, except for the fried calamari, the other dishes were already ready (it is a normal practice in Greek tavernas, except when you don't choose 'made to order dishes' like steak).
The food in general was all right, average-good. I was not impressed knowing better places here and there. On the other hand the other people in the party - 5 of them ate the Greek food for the first time - seemed to be quite happy.
The portion size was generous and we felt quite satisfied even if we did not order many dishes. When I read the menu, I observed that the main dishes are pretty expensive, most of the dishes above 10 euros. The lamb youvetsi we ordered, for example, was about 15 euros. However, as the portion size was so big, on sharing basis, the cost per a head turned out to be rather low. The total was about €136, meaning €17 per a head, including drinks and free plate of fruits. If you come here in two, probably you will end up in ordering more food than you can eat and proportionally pay more, but if you come in a group of more than 4 and order moderately, it is a very reasonable restaurant.
Personally I don't feel the need to come back here to eat, but I won't discourage anyone to visit here, especially if he/she just want to experience traditional Greek taverna in Plaka.
Besides, there was live music (one boutzoukist, one guitarist and one singer) from 9 o'clock.
Psaras
Erechtheos 16, Plaka, Athens
Tel. 210-3218733
http://www.psaras-taverna.gr/
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