Built in 1846 and re-imagined in 2024, Lamda Casual Dining occupies a lovingly restored house with a sun-faded stone façade, located straight on the water’s edge within the coronary heart of Vasiliki. The historical past of the constructing is there for all to see however what’s occurring there now could be something however old school. Instead, it’s a culinary reboot of Greek custom: reverent, however not nostalgic. Greek delicacies with a contemporary twist — and maybe a contact of theatre.
The meals
Dishes arrived with understated drama – by no means pretentious, however at all times composed. And served with the utmost care and attentiveness We started proceedings with the cornbread sourdough – delicate and heat, it was accompanied with salted fish roe and citrus-marinated olives — a nod to custom, but with a gently rebellious word.
My favorite dish of the night was the lentils, one of many humblest of pulses, elevated with essentially the most scrumptious smoked eel, cauliflower purée and fragrant oil.
Feta cheese, normally a country staple, was served breaded in polenta, drizzled with a thyme honey from Lefkada and a beneficiant sprinking of black sesame.
Don’t additionally miss the grilled octopus, superbly tender, paired with a carrot purée, pickled pearl onions, rice chips and a tarragon oil – a textural masterclass.
Also worthy of point out is the crispy mozzarella, set on a canvas of eggplant and tomato marmalade, and laced with basil oil, and the wealthy and comforting shrimp saganaki, reimagined with a contact of candy chilli, Metsovone cheese and basil.
For me, the standout primary was my seafood orzo, glistening with shrimp and squid, in a tomato and basil discount that struck simply the correct chord of simplicity, while nonetheless being filled with flavour.
My spouse swore by her Black Angus burger, served with pickled cucumber, Cheddar, onion mayo, and crispy potato rocks. And the indulgent deconstructed pastitsio — with layers of beef ragu, pasta, béchamel foam, and seared parmesan, even received the higher of my son’s monumental urge for food.
Desserts didn’t disappoint both, from the deconstructed lemon tart with blueberries, caramelised Aegina pistachios and chocolate flakes, to the chocolate fondant, served with crème anglaise, Madagascar vanilla, yuzu, dried rose, and ice cream. Decadent, dreamy… and fairly in all probability extra energy than we must always have had, however nothing {that a} run the subsequent morning couldn’t kind out.
The chef
Menelaos Chalikiopoulos is not only a chef. He is, in the most effective sense, an architect of urge for food and reminiscence. His meals feels prefer it’s looking out — for misplaced flavours, for brand new frontiers, for the tales in between.
Having educated in among the sharper corners of European delicacies, Chalikiopoulos returns to Lefkada not with a mission to modernise for the sake of novelty, however to hear extra intently to the land and sea he grew up with — and to allow them to converse. There’s humility in his innovation. He doesn’t shout by way of the plate; he whispers.
His dishes dance between confidence and restraint — daring with out being brash, elevated with out alienating. That steadiness is tough to show. It’s instinctual.
The atmosphere
What higher setting might you discover? We had been seated simply a few yards from the water’s edge, interrupted solely by the light hum of different joyful diners, seemingly envious passers-by, and the hush of boats nudging towards Vasiliki harbour. And towards this backdrop of stone and sea, the waiting-on workers are very attentive, however by no means overbearing.
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The value
Don’t anticipate conventional taverna pricing, however do put together your self for distinctive worth. Most starters hover round €14–17, and mains largely sit within the €24–28 vary.
Wines begin at €36 a bottle – we had the Chardonnay from the Karipidi Estate (close to Larissa in central Greece), priced at €48.
The remaining verdict
In a village greatest recognized for its windsurfing and relaxed vibe, Lamda Casual Dining presents one thing a bit totally different to anything on Vasiliki’s waterfront. Quitely radical and providing a extra refined eating expertise, Lamda is a spot to savour – not only for the meals, however the additionally temper, the second and the mellow tempo of a particular Lefkada night.
Disclosure: This submit is sponsored by Lamda Casual Dining. Our journey was sponsored by AEGEAN Airlines.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has labored within the journey business for greater than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. In addition to different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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