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Words and images by Karen Watts
Initially I had intended this blog to be called Migrant Kitchens. However, after eating at a few of my favourite non-Greek establishments I found that due to frozen chips and house wines that were essentially paint stripper, I could not in all good conscience recommend these places despite the regional menus whose food I have long been attracted to. All good intentions etc. Suffice to say that if you don’t mind frozen chips and crap wine, we have a brilliant Lebanese restaurant here in town and a wonderful genuine Indian (the chefs bring spices back from their holidays in India during the winter every year) in Ixia. (And they do serve Indian beer).
Instead I’m going to write about two of my favourites, but, shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!
Ma Poulette
Sabrina and Arthur landed on Rhodes before the pandemic to bring the magic of the French Rotisserie to our island. As their business model thrived on takeaway and delivery, they thankfully survived the pandemic and have now opened a French bistrot on Mandilara.
Sincerely, with every mouthful, you could be in France. The first two times I ate there I was convinced the chef was French. He’s not. His name is Alexandros, he is Rodian and he is a culinary genius.
The menu is small and elegant.
During the day until 5pm they are also serving baguettes, cheese and charcuterie platters and genuine Croque Monsieur et Madame. Bite, close your eyes and you are in Bordeaux!
The current blackboard menu (changes are on a whim and availability) includes Prawn Ceviche, Steak Tartare and fresh French Oysters which are shipped over just for us.
They have kept the rotisserie and chicken, whole or portioned, is available with a selection of sides including but not limited to potatoes cooked in duck fat and a puree of sweet potatoes that is to die for. The chef also does a chicken burger with all the right extras in the right quantities (i.e. not so overwhelmingly huge you have to dislocate your jaw to eat it), topped off with his signature Strawberry Ketchup.
For people who want meat of a more substantial kind they have slow cooked Lamb Loin.
There are lovely salads and French classics like Baked Camembert, there are dips and more than enough to keep vegetarians happy.
In the current debilitating temperatures, my personal choice is to go fresh and cool and at the moment I generally order the Serrano Ham and Melon.
As simple as this sounds, Alexandros changes it every day – yesterday it came with sunflower seeds, pomegranate seeds, pickled strips of Romano Pepper, Nasturtium Flowers and spherified Lemon Balls. There are two reasons I order this plate at this time of year – the heat and a French dessert menu.
As some of you know, I am a sucker for Crème Brulee. Ma Poulette’s does not disappoint. And as they are French, they burn the sugar at the table. Bien sûr!
The wine list is small but adequate – a very lovely Pouilly Fume is 41€ – the same price as it is in most “Boutique” wine shops and a glass of decent chardonnay is 6 €.
Ma Poulette is that rare thing on Rhodes – a small genuinely good restaurant with food cooked and served by passionate people who care.
Address: Nikiforou Mandilara 16, Rodos 851 00
Hours: 1 – 11 PM · Phone: 2241 026132
Kerasma
Kerasma is one of Rhodes Town’s best restaurants. The chef, Antonis Moschonas, has a way with food that is, quite simply, unique. Many of his ideas start with hints from other cuisines that he then transforms into a style that can only, in my opinion, be defined as Aegean.
Karasma is situated on Australias opposie the Nea Marina. The gated courtyard is lovingly planted and as such you don’t really feel like you are on a road. Tables are comfortably spaced apart, there is lots of shade and the place has a seductively cool and quiet but professional calm about it.
On a recent visit my friend and I shared a plate of squeakily fresh Panko Prawns.
My friend ordered the seafood tagliatelle – the freshest seafood in a sauce that started with an incredibly intense seafood broth – simply delicious.
I had the Belly Pork with Soy and Orange Sauce. The meat on this one literally melts in your mouth, the sauce is piquant and soothing and a pergect foil to the pork’s innate lovely fattiness. Do not order this if you are wearing white and ask for extra napkins! Trust me. (No image due to the same disappearing prawn problem).
We finished with the Green Apple Sorbet, the perfect cleansing end to a lovely meal.
We paired the whole lot with a light Peloponnese Sauvignon Blanc.
I’ve been going to Kerasma for a while and am never disappointed. Try the Lamb Shank with Chickpeas – unforgettable; their Tuna Steak with Carrot Sponge Cake – innovative as well as delicious; all of these descriptions apply to most things on the menu. Kerasma’s staff also understand and deal extremely well with most food issues, I have taken people with both gluten and lactose issues and never had a problem.
This year they have introduced a Lunch Menu. Apart from the Panko Prawns, ignore it.
The wine list is comprehensive but not overwhelming and they make the best Irish coffees in town – truly.
They are open 1p.m – 11.30 pm
0030 694 266 2020
Ιn Other News…
There is a new Italian to add to our list along with Mediterraneo and Casa Il Borgo, Burratino on Mandilara is like the know-it-all younger sibling of Casa Il Borgo with none of the latter’s elegance. The pizza dough and all the pasta are homemade but it has one menu and one menu only… none of the inventiveness of Marco’s ever changing Specials menu at Mediterraneo. Saying that though, the food is great, the seating is outside on a busy pedestrian only street – so, good for people watching and they have one of the nicest waiters in town. A great place to take younger people who won’t appreciate either the finesse of Casa Il Borgo or the creativity of Mediterraneo.
Prosciutto Con Funghi.
Mandilara 33-35.
0030 22410 35033.
If you are more than 2 people and you want to dine after 18.30, I advise booking in advance. They don’t open until 14.30.
On a recent trip to The Wirral in the UK I had the pleasure of going to The Refreshment Rooms. And refreshing it genuinely was. These two chefs have a way with English food that is sublimely cheerful. On the right-hand top corner of the menu was a graphic with the words “Ask us about our over 60s menu.” So, I did. The lovely waiter replied… ”Well love, if they can make small portions for kids, why can’t they make them for older people?”
Obviously! Yes! Genius! But why does this only exist in one small, warm and friendly restaurant on a river in the north of England?
Open 7 days a week 11.30-23.00
0151 644 5893.
https://www.refreshmentrooms.com/
And a passing note…the further one travels north in England the better the food gets – both the quality of the food and the way it is dealt with in eating establishments. Londoners, get thee North!
And finally for this blog, one of VLK’s recent guests hired Private Chef who wrote in this blog recently, booked the experience and said “Thanks for the recommendation for Chef Ionel who was just brilliant. Highly recommend the fish barbecue with his martinis”
Chef Ionel can be contacted https://enjoyprivatechef.com/
Kalliopi Kitchen: notes
If you have never been to Rhodes, and this is your first time at VLK, it could be worth reading this blog from the beginning, it might even make you laugh and hopefully give you some ideas. There is some beautiful imagery and some great recipes that might interest you too.
The Kalliopi Kitchen blogs are all lovingly collected HERE
Karen Watts
8/8/2024
