International

Over a gorgeous cappuccino I asked Vaida, why she created 'The Loop'? … She explained; "I'm originally from Lithuania, but lived in Holland for many many years and fell in love and married Nicos a Cypriot and finally moved to Cyprus just 8 years ago" … Vaida continued, "I noticed there was a distinct lack of places to get good fresh food, not just vegetarian and vegan but specialising in healthy eats and healthy diets".

This is where they excel, specialising in over 20 different choices of kebabs.  Gyros here is a choice of 4 meats, pork, chicken from Greece, beef and lamb from the UK, each cut into thin slices, layered and seasoned, and set onto big skewers ready to be imported.  Vangelis said, "I spend a little extra, but I get the very best" ... I asked "do you then add a little more seasoning" and he said "there's really no need", tbh, the beef Gyro was probably the best I've ever tasted ...

This is where they excel, specialising in over 20 different choices of kebabs.  Gyros here is a choice of 4 meats, pork, chicken from Greece, beef and lamb from the UK, each cut into thin slices, layered and seasoned, and set onto big skewers ready to be imported.  Vangelis said, "I spend a little extra, but I get the very best" ... I asked "do you then add a little more seasoning" and he said "there's really no need", tbh, the beef Gyro was probably the best I've ever tasted ...

I've known the infamous consultant chef Louis Papageorgiou since he opened Di Capilla Seaside Stories in 2005.  It was my absolute pleasure to interview him, without a doubt one of Cyprus' finest chefs, this guy is seriously on another level.  These days, he's writing a new chapter, purely by accident, in 2010 he met and partnered up with Savvas, a master of hospitality, whom I've known since his Napa days in 1993 ... and together they started a new story ...

We’re excited to be the first to announce that fresh and dried Carolina Reaper Peppers are ready to be grown in Cyprus.  So get ready to meet the king of heat, and trust me, they’re not for the faint-hearted.  But, in Cyprus, these super hot peppers will also be blended with extra virgin olive oil to create 'PowerJuice', so I caught up with owner and pioneer Vasillies of Larnaca Park & Fly fame to find out more ...

I've always thought that when buying meat, it's best to buy from a local butcher.  I'm not really sure why, but it just seems to make sense, and to be honest, this butcher personifies my theory.  And the fact that they are usually busy shows that many locals, restaurant owners, and top hotels agree … in fact, most of my culinary friends tell me he's the best butcher around, and until I find someone as good, I have to agree!

The Grand Slam is a family run British style boozer, it's even on the corner, on the sunny side of the road, and once known as The Corner Pin, inside it looks busy, with quirky little designs mostly mums doing, I just love the Table Tops they're well cool ... There's music memorabilia all over the place with a professional light and sound system, a well stocked bar, with a lovely front terrace onto Kapparis Avenue ... it's a great stop off for an afternoon drink, good pub grub, and there's something happening here almost every night!

I was invited by Antonis and Demitries to try their 'All You Can Eat Sushi & More Buffet at The Fish House Restaurant in Ayia Napa.  I have to say it was the 'More' bit that got my curiousity going, so I had to ask, "Antonis said, "Our chefs conjure up a selection of salads, the prawn salad was delicious, and Asian dishes, like samosas, spring rolls, fried rice, noodles, crispy chicken, crispy duck and pancakes ... How could I resist?

Situated just to the right of Ayia Napa Harbour, a little more serene, relax with a drink out front in a modern chilled ambiance, or under the huge covered terrace or out back, overlooking the med ... it really is a perfect place to enjoy fresh premium seafood delights and there's a huge pristine lawn and a playground area for the kids with swings, trampolines, tunnels, slides, and things ... Check out their promo Video here ...

As I walked in for the first time, I was well impressed with the simple blackboards adorning the walls up the stairs leading to the bar on the first floor.  Inside, it's all dark wood and industrial style metal ... cool signs everywhere, I couldn't resist getting a couple of shots, how do you like your whiskey?  The bar is open on three sides, so lovely cool breezes with really cool views over the heart of Napa, Marios laughed as he said, "it's packed in here for the festive parades"!