Mr. George Mamouzelos is a great guy. Chef - Restauranteur, who loves good food and great fresh produce, always searching and reinventing himself and has been doing that for the past 30 years. He started from a little taverna in another part of the island of Kalymnos but then moved his business to Pothia (port city of Kalymnos) where it is stationed till now. 

Chefs such as George really impress me because in a way they have something Japanese in their values.  A Japanese sushi chef can and will wash the sushi rice for years and they always do it well, with the same zeal and energy. And most importantly they do it with the same passion and without cutting corners. These same principles characterise George: for years now he continues to value his clients and goes on creating tasty dishes that are just admired by all who come and try them. 

Another wonderful thing about George is that he does not claim to know everything about cooking. He knows what he can do and where his limits are. And this is of great value. 

We have been in many restaurants where the chefs, especially the older ones, trying to copy dishes from other restaurants but do it in the wrong way. Not that they cannot master the techniques, but they cannot get the "aesthetics" of the dish. The history behind it, the restaurant that it will be good for etc. And you can see that in the menu of the restaurant. Certain things stand out like a sore thumb. George does not do that. He has a feel for what it is right, for what works and what doesn't. You may taste some dishes at Mamouzelos that you had in other places but George always they will have his touch and the dish will be on par with the rest of the menu and will work well with the restaurant and it's clients. In this matter he has an ace up his sleeve.

Mr George has a great Sous-Chef in the kitchen. A young, talented chef whose name is Michalis Glynatsos with a depth of knowledge that is really vital for the success of the restaurant. By teaming up with Michalis, George has taken the restaurant to the next level. To be honest it is as good a restaurant as most in Athens or anywhere in the world. A restaurant that it has become a much experience destination in Kalymnos, alongside the wonderful bronze statue in the archaeology museum and also feasting on the wonderful rusks at Talas bakery... 

Now, don't visit the restaurant if you are looking for fancy decor or to pose. Come here if you are looking for fresh, authentic and absolutely delicious food. I love the wood and the colour scheme but that is about it. When weather permits they bring tables out close to the sea and that it really nice. 

I would suggest coming with a group so that you can taste as many dishes as possible. Also base your order from the specials menu because each day the chefs create little jewels with what the sea provides. They smoke their own fish etc so it is worth it to try those little experiments. 

One little suggestion I have for the restaurant. They have some really mouthwatering salads but the portions are humongous and if possible it would have been great to have them in half sizes. Especially if you visit the restaurant and you are only two there is no way you can have the salad plus mains... 

What ever we tried we really loved. The shrimp of the day were exceptional, the smoked octopus carpaccio was to die for, the fresh and warm bread, their cuttle fish risotto with squid ink,  the grouper with the local greens and pumpkin puree is reason enough to come again and again. 

I also have to comment on the good service, the wine list that features some of the best Greek varieties and their attention to detail in general. 

This is the fourth time I have come to the island and I have come to this restaurant time and time again. I have visited other restaurants on the island that I will post about and show you their food. For its size, Kalymnos is full of wonderful places to eat. But I wanted to start with this wonderful restaurant because it is really special for me. 

Once more I will state that I do not get payed to write about the restaurants that I visit. And also I try to visit the same place two or three times before I feel comfortable enough to write about it. Also I only post about the restaurants that I love and not about the ones where I do not like the food. Cheers! 

I hope that one day you will be able to come to Kalymnos and try the wonderful dishes of mr George and Michalis! 

We visited two other restaurants in Thessaloniki…

But I didn’t want to devote a whole page to each..

The reason is that the first we found by accident one lunchtime near the flat we had rented and we only had a few different things to snack on and the other we came across quite unexpectedly and had to leave early; so the only thing we had was a plate of cheese and a glass of wine and we left quickly.

The first is called Fata Morgana and it was was really close to where we were staying and a friend suggested it who was the same person who told us about Extravaganza which I have written about elsewhere and the second place was The Academy and is in the ‘Ladadika” area of Thessaloniki near the port terminal.

Fata Morgana is one of the new modern tavernas which work well. The people who run it, run it like a coffee shop with food, they fixed it up and cook very tasty food for the neighbourhood in which they are situated and for their friends and it all works very well.

I was pleased because we went early one lunchtime and there were already a large group of locals around 60-ish enjoying their food which means the locals like the food and the service and support them. The service was excellent and the young girl who served us was fantastic.

The first things we had were wonderful: a pastourma-pitaki which was so tasty and ‘kritharaki’ pasta with mushrooms which was like a risotto and totally stunning.

The mains were a little disappointing as the “tagliata” steak was a bit tough as was the pork steak….

All in all it was a good experience and we hope next time we go up north we will visit again and hopefully find the food as good as the starters we had which really made our mouths water..

Info: Fata Morgana, Philippou 1 & Singrou, Thessaloniki, opening hours 11:00-01:00

The second place The Academy, has  an incredible decor and has been taken over by the chef Constantinos Markou. They have separate areas for smokers and non-smokers!!

The bad thing was that we didn’t manage to eat properly as we went late after eating elsewhere and but we had the cheese platter with a bottle of wine and sat and talked to Constantinos about his restaurant and his dreams for the future.

He’s mad about ingredients from small Greek producers and he has been supporting them for years now.

The staff make their own sauces and jams and serves them with their food.

The cheeses we tried were very special. Soft white cheese (almost  like paste), great Kaseri’s and perfect Graviera’s.

I read the menu and hope that next time I am up north I will manage to eat there properly!

Thanks very much!!

Info: The Academy, Aghiou Mina 3, Thessaloniki Tel: 2310 521803