Fishermen's Meze platter by the sea

One could easily spend the day whiling the hours away on the sun-soaked terrace at Aeyialos restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean. With its all white decor and perfect beachfront location in Paralimni, Cyprus, Aeyialos is a great spot for Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. It even has a charming wooden swing facing the sea to take a moment and enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Many lovely dishes are featured on its menu but one thing I would highly recommend is the Fishermen's meze platter. Originally meant for two, the selection of small dishes served could easily feed 4-5 guests.

To start we were presented with a small plate of freshly made mezes and dips; Taramasalata, Tahini, Tzatziki, Roasted garlic puree, Cyprus olives and fried mackerel.

Our favourite was the Taramasalata, a Greek specialty made from tarama, the salted and cured roe of the cod or grey mullet (bottarga) mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, and bread.

Next arrived two pieces of perfectly formed pieces of crab cakes and a tasty seafood rice dish which resembled a nice blend between Portuguese seafood rice and Spanish paella.

Following that arrived many portions of Garides Saganaki, all served in little individual pans. 'Garides' is the greek word for prawns and ‘Saganaki’ refers more broadly to various Greek appetizers which are prepared in a small, two handled heavy bottomed frying pan, called a saganaki or sagani. The most common traditional Greek recipes cooked in that kind of pan include mussels or shrimp saganaki, with the most popular being a simple and delicious fried cheese appetizer. Cheeses typically used for a saganaki dish can range dependent on the region, from Greek graviera, kefalograviera, kefalotyri, which are hard yellow cheeses, Cypriot halloumi or mastello from Chios island.

Saganaki spaghetti with giant red prawns

Many delicious seafood meze dishes followed including; soft shell crab, baby squid, grilled octopus, steamed mussels, octopus stifado stew and a lovely grilled sea bass.

Traditionally, the octopus is braised for many hours with wine, onions, tomato, fragrant herbs and spices to create a beautiful Octopus Stifado stew.

Octopus stifado stew

Deep fried baby squid

Grilled Mediterranean sea bass

Steamed mussels with fresh herbs

Many hours were spent here enjoying the lovely seafood and taking in the beautiful scenery until the sun had finally set. We will most definitely return for another round of the Fishermen's meze platter.

LOCATION
75 Vrisoudion St
Paralimni

HOURS
Mon-Sun:
11:00 am - 11:00 pm

RESERVATION
Takes Reservations. Walk-Ins Welcome.
Phone: +357 99 988600
Email: aeyialos@hotmail.com

MOST RECENTLY VISITED
May 29, 2016