My Big Fat Greek Taverna: From diplomacy to Ouzo
by Costa Ayiotis | by NB PublishersReader review: Danie Jacobs
The names of Greek dishes sound so exotic and the author uses them royally in his beautifully-written journey from becoming a diplomat in New York to opening a restaurant in Hout Bay. Unfortunately they don’t mean much to the uninformed reader who is used to chips and egg. Thank you, Shirley Valentine for that reference.
I love reading about people’s struggles and journeys, especially when they make a paradigm shift in their lives. The author started off in the corporate world of Sandton, worked as a diplomat at UN and ended up in the beautiful hamlet of Hout Bay. That is living your dream.
Reading this book takes you into the world of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” where you picture a grandfather claiming all words have Greek meanings and visualize the carefree land of beaches and cosy family restaurants. In this case, Lemonia in Hout Bay.
I have just been to Hout Bay and spotted the restaurant. I haven’t read the book before visiting the fishing village, but now I know its story and wants to go back!
The story begins in 1997 when Ayiotis, along with his wife Christine and friends Elmarie and Herman, decide to bring the taste of Greece to Hout Bay. Choosing the location for its fishing village charm, they transform a century-old farmhouse near the beach into Lemonia, where patrons entered as customers and departed as friends.
I loved reading about difficult customers who confuse Italian and Greek cuisine (focaccia vs pita bread) and who do not like lemon in their food. According to the author, lemon is sacrosanct to Greek food.
What is missing in the book is a translation and description of the Greek dishes and some recipes. I had to visit Google to find out what spanakopita is. It is a spinach pie and has nothing to do with spiders. I recommend the book for people thinking of doing a career change, if you are interested in Greek cuisine or if you love a great story.
