Odin

Nostimo means delicious. In a sentence, you could "einai bara boli nostimo", it is very tasty or "einai bara boli oreo" it is very nice/good.

kja

@ Odin: Just what I needed! Can I also say "einai bara boli oreo" to refer to other things I'd like to compliment, for example, to let a hotelier know that a room is nice? Or to say to you, "boli oreo, efcharisto" to let you know that it's good / nice to have that answer? I'm not particularly adept with languages, but want to know a few words (just a few!) that I can use to let people know when I like something....

Heimdall

Greeks definitely appreciate it when you use a few courtesy phrases in their language, even though most who deal with tourists speak very good English. As well as learning the words, you should learn which syllable to accent. There are many good apps for this. I believe the word Odin mentioned is spelled νόστιμος in Greek. Copy & Paste into Google Translate and you can hear the word pronounced.

Heimdall

Probably νόστιμο without the final sigma (ς) is more correct, but the first spelling is the way my Greek-English dictionary shows it.

crazyh

Regarding the Central Markets . . . if you are a vegan or are squeamish you may want to avoid the meat section. One big tip if you do go to the meat and/or seafood market: Don't Wear Sandals!

Otherwise it quite an experience even if you don't buy anything.

Heimdall

Oh, one more thing, as Steve Jobs used to say: Type delicious into Google Translate, select Greek, and it will come out as νόστιμο. You can then click the speaker icon to hear it pronounced in Greek. That works for other courtesy phrases too.

clausar

είναι πολύ νόστιμο = einai poli nostimo = it's very delicious
είναι πολύ ωραίο = einai poli oreo = it's very nice
είναι πολύ καλό = einai poli kalo = it's very good

kja

Poli kalo, efcharisto!

@ Heimdall: I’m now through 15 of the 30 lessons of my Pimsleur’s Greek course, and I’ve also been learning to transliterate. I’ve used Pimseleur’s five times before, and although I’ve never made it through every single lesson, I’ve never heard it teach the word for “delicious” or particularly versatile words that can be used to convey compliments. When I’ve used translating functions, including Google Translate, I’ve sometimes gotten archaic words, or words that don’t apply as I believed they would (e.g., adjectives that can only be used with people, not things). I may be bad a learning other languages, but I’m even worse at un-learning, so in those cases, I’ve ended up mangling the old and new words, and making everyone awkward, and so have reverted to English. Of course, that is usually understood, but I prefer to be able to express my appreciation in the language of the countries I visit. I don’t expect to be able to carry on a conversation, but by the time I start a trip, I can usually at least manage the civilities and a few basic questions and answers. Thanks for your help in getting to that point!

@ crazyh: Another appreciated warning! Sounds a bit like the Tekka Market in Singapore – absolutely no sandals! IME, meat markets aren’t all that photogenic (but they can be), so I’ll probably skip that part. ;-)

@ Clausar: Efcharisto!

kja

I don't think anyone has recommended any specific upscale restaurants yet -- any thoughts? I'm likely to seek out something upscale, preferably based on traditional themes and locally sourced ingredients, as often as once a week, and am willing to make a couple of those meals modestly high-end splurges. I've looked at the Michelin ratings (including starred restaurants, as well as "Michelin Plate" and "Bib Gourmand" awardees), which are all in and around Athens. It doesn't seem like Michelin staff have rated restaurants outside of Athens, but there must be some worthy up-scale, locally sourced restaurants in other parts of the country, too....

Heimdall

Good for you for taking Greek lessons! You may still find Google Translate useful, though. I'm hopeless at learning languages, and it doesn't help that so many people speak excellent English. Like you, I have tried to pick up a few phrases in different languages for my travels, including French, German, and Swahili.

The Swahili was very useful to suss out what animals the drivers and guides were taking about on safari, e.g. chui: leopard, tembo: elephant, twiga: giraffe. Asante sana means thank you very much, a phrase I used frequently in Kenya and Tanzania. Now I am trying to pick up a few phrases in Afrikaans.

Kja, I hope you have a wonderful time in Greece! You are certainly interested in learning as much as you can, and that will enhance the experience.

clausar

Here are a few recommendations for restaurants in Athens, that offer Greek cuisine. They don't have any Michelin stars, but imo they are among the best ones in Athens

ΑΘΗNΑΙΚΟΝ - ΑΤΗΙΝΑΙΚΟΝ
One of the oldest traditional restaurants of Athens, just opened in Syntagma too.
Mitropoleos 34
Tel : 210 3252688-210 3251598
http://athinaikon.gr/mitropoleos-menu/?lang=en


ΜΕΛΙΛΩΤΟΣ - MELILOTOS
Kalamiotou 19 ( near Monastiraki metro station)
210 3222458
http://www.melilotos.gr


For a decent souvlaki or kebab ( brought to Greece by after 1922 by greek refugees from Asia Minor) i recommend either Savvas or Thanassis , both located just off Monastiraki Square, in Ermou Street. Avoid at any cost nearby Bairaktaris, who has the worse quality i have ever experienced in Athens. ( and i was working 20 years in the Monastiraki/Syntagme area...)

At Agia Eirini's square ( near Monastiraki Square) there are very nice Cafe's ideal for people watching

You should also visit Kolonaki Square ( just above the Benaki Museum) which is the upscale part of the Athens centre with many boutiques and nice Cafes.

Odin

<<Can I also say "einai bara boli oreo" to refer to other things I'd like to compliment, for example, to let a hotelier know that a room is nice?>> Yes you can, you can drop the "bara" if you like (means very), you can also just say "einai oreo" or "to thomatio einai oreo" (thomatio=room). Endaxi is a good word to know , meaning OK.

clausar

Odin,

It is para poli with p.. not b

Odin

Yes of course, it is spelt with a p, but when pronounced, it sounds more like soft B than P. I wrote it that way to help with pronounciation. Same with thomatio, it is spelt domatio (δωμάτιο).

clausar

Not at all Odin, it is written with p and pronounced as p too...
Unless you picked it up in Cyprus..

Weadles

If you're willing to take a cab and venture outside Athens, here are two to try:

ITHAKA and NOBU, both in/around Vouliagmeni, which is about 30 minutes away.

Both upscale with wonderful food and gorgeous views.

I originally thought you wanted to stick to Athens!

Weadles

Oh, and yes, GH Attticus House is one and the same. Some here will say it's too touristy, but even my son-in-law, an incredible chef, raves about it!

Weadles

Lastly, just realized you are going to Cape Sounion. We've been there a few times, at the hotel that is right on the beach. ( Name is escaping me right now!) The food at that hotel is only OK. However, there's a taverna on the beach ( all the way to the right if you are facing the water) that's slightly and sometimes much better than the hotel offerings.

mr_go

Hi kja. Like others in this thread, we have eaten really well in Greece. Two of our favorites in Hania (Chania, Xania, whatever) are The Well of the Turk, on a little side street in the old town... and Thalassino Ageri, a little seafood place right on the beach on the east side of town. Good food, great atmosphere, friendly service.

View from the latter one:
http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/c...0864#h21220864

In Athens, we had a truly special evening eating, drinking singing songs, laughing and drinking some more in a great little place right on the antiques market, called Cafe Avissinia. View from our table:

http://onelittleworld.zenfolio.com/a...1998#h11548987

Enjoy!

clausar

Greek House Attikos is a great restaurant and not only because of it's panoramic view...
Here is the website that will give kja an idea of what to expect.
http://www.ghattikos.gr/en/

I think kja wanted to taste Greek cuisine, which would rule out Nobu, while Ithaki is more traditional Greek. ( and still has an amazing sea view )

If kja would like to try traditional sea food, i would recommend one of the sea food restaurants in Piraeus wider area
Prices are not high and food is excellent... These restaurants are ideal for eating sea food accompanied with Ouzo

Ta Katsarolakia
Akti Moutsopoulou 21
Pasalimani - Piraeus
Tel : 210 4100609
http://www.takatsarolakia.gr/contact.php?2