Nice Hydra

Η Hydra is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. Just an hour and a half from Piraeus, the historic Hydra, fully protected by the Archaeological Service and maintaining the unique privilege of no wheelchairs, creates a unique feeling when you walk among its imposing mansions.

Not that it is an easy island. Hydra does not "open" easily. It is a difficult place, introverted and does not easily pick up lightness and maybe this gives it its special charm and makes it so attractive.

So in this Hydra this summer (2016) we had a new impressive gastronomic presence. THE Cotton Antigone, a businessman from Piraeus and a friend of Hydra for thirty-five years, opened it gourmet restaurant “I Oraia Hydra”, in the center of the waterfront (in the place of old Psaropoula, where since 1911 the Tiliakos family maintained a tavern and since 1993 a restaurant).

The building that hosted the tavern had suffered great damage, which was repaired by the owner of the property, the Monastery of Profitis Ilias, and in the competition Antigone decided to make the move. He created a group of young people led by the talented and promising Chef Kosmas Savriadis, with her childhood friend Mamina Psomara and Confectioner Chef Tailor Fees next door - also hers - Caramel pastry, and with Penelope Lambropoulou to welcome people with courtesy and grace, made a new proposal for a gourmet restaurant in Hydra.

Antigone is dreamy but also effective, she wants together with her team, but also in collaboration with the other quality restaurants of the restaurant, to make Hydra a gastronomic destination. And he is not wrong. There are good taverns and decent restaurants, but it needs a boost flourishing of creative cuisine on this unique island.

I think Antigone's project may be the beginning of this effort.

The chef of Oraia Hydra Kosmas Savriadis Born in Patras, with years of service in the hotel chain of Grecotel, he is modest and down to earth. She loves pure flavors, fresh ingredients and has tips all over Greece to supply her cuisine with bird's milk, such as. Drosoulites, savory, tsitsiravla but also red mullets and shrimp from the opposite Valley.

In "Oraia Hydra" the dishes of the day are often more than those on the menu.

The seafood dish was excellent. Impressively presented, wrapped in a greaseproof paper petroleum tubes, oysters, mussels, steamed wells, along with cherry tomatoes and lemon leaves that leave their unique aroma.

Hydra squid or stuffed sardines accompanied by the summer salt of herbs, red savory, organic fava with kritamo, Alonissos tuna, barley shrimp.

Whether you want to sit at the waterfront tables to feel its movement and rhythm, or you are lucky enough to book one of the three privileged tables on its balcony overlooking the harbor, you will know that you will eat special flavors from a restaurant that intends to play an important role in the gastronomy of Hydra. Have a nice trip.