186 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK S EP T E M B ER 2019
GETAWAY
WORDS: JAMES WILLIAMS PICTURES: CHRISTOS DRAZOS, NIKOS DANIILIDISA suite at the Perianth HotelBREAKFAST & LUNCH Start your day at Takis
Bakery in the bohemian Plaka district to sample its koulourakia,
a traditional, pretzel-shaped sweet pastry topped with sesame
seeds. For lunch, head to Ama Lachei, which serves meze-style
modern Greek dishes on its greenery-filled terrace – try the mouth-
watering charred octopus, and mashed green pea and aubergine
salad with drizzled syrup and walnuts. A favourite among locals,
snug Yiasemi specialises in beautiful, homemade vegetarian and
vegan dishes, such as its baked mushroom, parsley and pine nut
tart and Cretan tapas-style dakos – a Greek version of bruschetta
topped with feta, plump tomatoes and aged olive oil (yiasemi.gr).
WINE & DINE Headed up by award-winning Greek-
Japanese chef Sotiris Kontizas, Nolan’s fusion cooking is a culinary
delight. Its delicious, elegantly simple dishes are technically
spectacular – try the soba noodles and smoked salmon in a creamy
tahini sauce (nolanrestaurant.gr). For a more relaxed affair, head
to chic restaurant Zurbaran in the cool Kolonaki district, where
the contemporary menu spans the Mediterranean from Spain to
Israel (zurbaranathens.gr). Listed in the top ten of the world’s 50
best bars, The Clumsies is a must for a late-night tipple. We’ll make
ours the ‘Clumsy Negroni’, a blend of the bar’s own Old Tom Gin,
vermouth, Campari, beeswax and pepper (theclumsies.gr).
ART & CULTURE The Greek capital is a museum
in itself, with ancient relics dotted throughout its meandering
narrow streets. The first stop has to be the Acropolis and its museum,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 4,000 objects and
artefacts on display (theacropolismuseum.gr). Lovers of the
Surrealist art movement should head to the Museum of Cycladic
Art, which houses a collection of marble sculptures from the Bronze
Age that inspired Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí (cycladic.gr).
Continue your cultural tour at the Benaki Museum – once home
to the philanthropic Benakis family, who donated their private
collection – which is filled with Islamic art, Chinese porcelain and
Byzantine paintings ( benaki.org).SHOPPING Founded in 2014, interiors and lifestyle store
Paraphernalia has become a popular fixture on the city’s shopping
scene. Inside, you’ll find a vast collection of curated items, from
contemporary ceramics by local designers to decorative textiles
woven by hand and limited-edition prints (paraphernalia.gr). Pick
up quirky gifts at Forget Me Not, where a maze of rooms houses a
treasure trove of designs by Greek makers (forgetmenotathens.gr).
For something totally unique, head to d.Mod – the team in this
part-store, part-workshop craft the furniture on offer in-house
using only sustainably sourced materials (dmod.gr).ESCAPE THE CITY Leave the beat (and heat)
of the Athenian streets by embarking on a 45-minute drive south of
the city to the beaches of Astir. This stunning green peninsula is
dotted with chic hotels, spas and stylish Athenians soaking
up the rays. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a ferry ride from
the Athenian port to the island of Aegina, known for its charming
harbour and the Temple of Aphaia.To discover more design-savvy
destinations, get your copy of ELLE
Decoration City – on sale now at
hearstmagazines.co.uk/ed-city