I like food. Good food. Have you noticed?

It is no secret that I have a long list with places (in an Excel file), restaurants of all types of food, I want to visit in Athens and other nearby destinations, such as Nauplio or other nearby towns you can get to in an hour drive. During wintertime I had made it my mission to visit more restaurants, but with summer here Athens is one hot bowl of water. The temperature is not ideal right now with all this heat that’s threatening to burn your skin and I don’t feel like walking the hot streets of Athens right now. I much prefer to be in placed with open air, not so many houses and enjoy even the slightest of breeze.

However, from time to time, I feel the need – no, the call – for food. Good quality food in restaurants I’ve never been.

Alio Restaurant, located in Chalandri (an Athenian region), is Italy in Athens. Or a version of it. The place is not exactly one of decor masterpiece, but it certainly is clean, which is important, with competent people and good food. I must say, the place was not at all impressive and I have no idea what I was expecting, but it was something more. Maybe some other lights, different tables? I was missing the Italian vibe to go with the food, I guess. The whole place was more Athenian incorporated than what I would like or expected.

Italian inspired, Alio’s menu has interesting choices of dishes. Obviously, the classic Ceasar salad is on the menu right at the top after the refreshing cocktails, along with other openers that include lettuce and fried chicken. I have noticed that in Italian restaurants they like to toy with fried chicken, adding it to all sorts of appetizers. Honestly, I am a big fan of it, so I can’t complain.

There are a few roads to take when it comes to an Italian inspired cuisine. First is, of course, pasta and then pizza. Those two main dishes are presented in so many versions, with so many alterations that you can have your fill with them. Can you stir away from them in Alio? Certainly.

You can go from pork to salmon or chicken. I opted for the Tuscan Pork, because… well, Tuscan. It felt right and I was rewarded with a very beautiful, well put together dish, with interesting flavors. Each bite was a burst of sensations in my mouth, don’t be afraid to choose it if you every find yourselves in Alio.

I did not try the salmon with the quinoa salad, but my partner enjoyed its fresh look and taste. The combination with the avocado pieces was definitely an elevated move on this dish. Something to keep in mind when you visit Alio, as well.

I may not have a photo of the cocktails, but we tried were equally tasty and refreshing. I had one with cucumber piece and my partner had one with a slight spicy flavor to it. An Alio classic from what I gathered.

Another slight note you should take about Alio is that it’s opened under the watchful eyes of Yannis Lukakos, a very well-known Greek chef. With a taste for Italy and an eagerness to create, he opened a place where he can pour his passion and share his recipes with all of us.

It’s a good place for a dinner date or maybe for a company dinner if you feel like taking your colleagues there for some good food and drinks.

Are you going to visit?

Thanks for reading!

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