Thread for Friends of Christos

[stavros]

We ate at Christos last night and it was superb. Will review later on Tripadvisor and copy to here. Any other fans? (I know it has detractors too.)

[stavros]

Here is our review:

Some people appear to not have had a good experience at Christos, but ours had been fine in the past, so we decided to eat there again, and were not disappointed.

The location is lovely, with tables set amongst tamarisk trees (with their trunks painted white in the old Greek way.) It was calm when we were there, but for windy Plakias weather, there are substantial screens around the dining area.

Our food was excellent. Shared starter of stuffed courgette flowers was plentiful (10 pieces?) and the stuffing was based on glutinous risotto-type rice which absorbed all of the cooking flavours. Mains were lamb and red mullet, both from the specials list. The arni was tender and tasty, with both leg meat and some scrag end cutlets for contrast. The barbounia were sweet and delicious. Both were presented in the old Greek fashion: a few chips with the lamb, and a simple  piece of lemon to squeeze over the fish.

Wine was the house rose: the waiter explained that they do not have bought-in white wine by the jug, but only their own production (the rose). He brought us a glass to try before we ordered. No raki offered, but such a huge plate of fruit (honeydew and water melons, sweet seedless grapes) that hospitality was not in doubt.

The bill was a bit more than we would usually pay, but that was due to the fresh fish.

[Richard]

Is it something about time of day? I have just left a post re my complete disappointment with Christos but we only ever had lunch there. I prefer to give people the benefit of doubt but became disenchanted with Christos, despite 'trying' to like it for sentimental reasons (had first meal in Plakias there with lady who is now my wife).

Are evenings different? I would love to be wrong on this one.

[shinaria]

It depends a bit on the mood of the staff . In all the years we've visited the place, we've hardly ever had a bad time.
Has Christos opened again for the new season?

[kokkinos vrachos]

Kalimera shinaria, I was in Souda/Plakias from 26 March to 22 April. Christos was already open during that time. All the tavernas, cafes, bars and shops in Plakias were open 95% of the time.

If you read the reviews on Google Maps, there are a lot of dissatisfied reviews alongside the many good reviews. Most guests complained about the unfriendly service and, in some cases, the quality of the food.

One example: "Small portions, large prices, rude, serious and impersonal staff. The seafood is delicious, but the portions are only for tasting... At the end there is not even a raki as a treat."

I've been making these observations on Crete for a few years now. The portions are getting smaller and smaller, but the price is getting higher. That's one reason why I hardly go out to eat in tavernas on Crete any more. I prefer to cook for myself.

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

[shinaria]

Is Christos open again this year?

[kokkinos vrachos]

Kalimera shinaria, Christos is currently still closed...

Ta Leme, kv

[shinaria]

The former Christos is now "Alpha Omega".

[kokkinos vrachos]

https://alphaomegaplakias.gr/#

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

[DandC]

ah - thanks! We go to Plakias in 10 days time so will give it a try.

[kokkinos vrachos]

Is Christos open again this year?

Kalimera, Restaurant Alpha Omega (formerly Christos), owned by Benjamin from Belgium, has now opened for its second season.

The cuisine is very upscale, featuring Cretan products and great attention to detail; this is not the place to go if you are looking for traditional, rustic Cretan cooking.
Guests highly praise the food, service, and atmosphere (including the terrace and the view).

Prices are correspondingly higher than at other tavernas in Plakias (though those are already pricey).

Prices:

- No complimentary carafe of water upon arrival.

- Plastic bottle of Zaros water: ?5.

- Bread: ?2.

- ?40 for a standard sea bream.

- Bottle of beer: ?5.

- House wine: 1 liter ?15, 0.5 liters ?9.

- Choice of 3 different salads ranging from ?12 to ?17!

Alpha Omega is the kind of place one would expect to find in Chania?s Venetian Harbor.

In recent years, three long-standing family tavernas?Christos, Tasomanolis, and Paligremnos?have closed down.

Ta Leme, kv