Trippin’ in Greece Part 6: A Little Surprise in Kalambaka

We joined a local tour for 2 days to visit Meteora.  We were brought to this place to a little town called Kalambaka that reminded me of Canada (even though I’ve never been).  I admit to be skeptical because it’s a tour-arranged lunch (although it wasn’t mandatory), which usually translates to “tourist trap.”  I was wrong.

First, what were we doing in Kalamba and what is Meteora?  Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where they have these monasteries sitting on top of high rock towers.  From afar, it looks like the monasteries look like they are suspended in air¹.  It’s a really fantastic view.  They were even featured in one of the older James Bond movie  ”For Your Eyes Only.”

Kalambaka, on the other hand, is a small town right below the famous monasteries.  This is where most travellers stay before ascending to the monasteries and they’ve really built this small, secluded town fit for tourists.  Kalambaka / Meteora is in the mountain areas (duh) and is bitchin’ cold and windy compared to the rest of Greece.   Especially to this skinny-ass 100-pound-weakling body of mine.

Restaurant Meteora² is a family-owned establishment since 1925.  We were brought in to this place, no menus, no price listing were handed out.  First thing that pops into my head?  That’s what she said! No, I’m kidding.  But really, the first thing in mind was that we made a mistake going in.  We were sure to be fucked with the food and the price.  But then you’re brought into the kitchen, where the grandmother is preparing the food with large pots of  food³ to choose from.  Prices were dictated⁴ so we pretty much know what was in store for us.

Every meal came with your choice of rice, potatoes, and peas.  Cousin Jeff ordered the Lamb Shank, which in hindsight I should’ve taken my own advice: always go for lamb in Mediterranean states.  Lamb was great and Jeff was really, really happy with his order.  In fact, this was probably his favorite meal of the trip.

I ordered the Chicken because I suddenly had the urge to have a full chicken part with skin.  The lamb was better, but I was immensely satisfied⁵.  The dishes here are all stew-based that have been simmering for hours, overseen by the nona.  I mean, it can’t possible be not good!

Potatoes are a staple of Greek meals and they did it exceptionally well here.  Roasted and stewed in this red sauce, it was fantastic!

But the RICE! I’ve been saying they do rice really well in Greece and this was THE best one.  And it was not even close.  Best rice I’ve had ever⁶ and I’m Asian.  I’m serious.  It’s looks plain as hell, but they must use some magic broth to boil the rice or something.  It’s not even soil-yourself good.  It’s shit-worthy great.  Like, you gotta keep shitting the rice out, so you’d have space to eat some more kind of great.

The area was fantastic, ambience great, Meteora is picture-almost-perfect, and the meal was just heavenly home-y.  Is this place better than a Michelin-star restaurant?  Or some place like Varoulko or Le Bernardin or el Bulli?  Probably not, but this is my kind of place.  Simple, homey, satisfying.  I can save myself a trip to Greece and another €9 because I can still taste that rice.

Trippin’ in Greece Part 6: A Little Surprise in Kalambaka 2011-12-30

e joined a local tour for 2 days to visit Meteora.  We were brought to this place to a little town called Kalambaka that reminded me of Canada (even though I’ve never been).  I admit to be skeptical because it’s a tour-arranged lunch (although it wasn’t mandatory), which usually translates to “tourist trap.”  I was …