Those who came once became patrons, those who drank its cocktails swear to the creative skill of the bartenders, those who ate from its kitchen never changed their trust, and those who were there at Christmas felt like going on a trip, with a lot on their suitcases on the way back. You don’t need much just park in Petralona and experience the unorthodox up close. You walk in and exclaim WOW!!!
Among the tightly packed century old buildings that fused their courtyards, cut off from the rest of the universe like a tight parenthesis, like a hiding place, Upupa Epops The Bar faithfully follows its own sui generis script, where magic meets all day enjoyment. Especially on the holidays with its ‘White Christmas’ perspective: Snows, trees, unicorns, garlands and stars, come to embrace the winter warmth and make your holiday visit stylish and unforgettable.
Upupa Epops supports a wonderful view to each plate, glass and splendid music. The morning starts with a little magic and many renewed and delicious options in brunch and main courses, with a flavour fusion and a beautiful, careful presentation. A perfect example, scrambled eggs like you’ve never had them before, with traditional Mani siglino pork, fresh organic hemp seeds, avocado, tomato, Cretan galomyzithra cheese, fresh oregano and thyme honey on sourdough bread – indescribably indulgent.
Then there is the main menu, which marries flavours from all over the world, starting with an amazing, authentic Italian Bolognese with fresh fettuccine pasta and a juicy burrata on top, hot dog in an airy brioche bun with red vegetable chutney and homemade mayo, mini burgers with cod, cuttlefish ink, white tarama mousse, wakame and yellow beetroot pickle. Healthies will love the rice bowl with chicken, made with sushi rice, quinoa, red and yellow beets, an unbeet-able plate.
This year’s cocktail list is inspired in concept and in execution, depicting elements from a Persian poem, ‘The Conference of the Birds’, in full harmony with its theme (upupa epops if you haven’t already learned it is the dear hoopoe!) In his story, the birds of the world seek a ruler, and Upupa, the wisest of them all, encourages them to cross seven valleys to reach the residence of the legendary bird Simorgh and learn the meaning of the journey.
The 7 valleys have 7 meanings and 7 signature cocktails – one literally better than the other – with multi-layered research and development evident in their implementation, for example: Valley of the Quest, based on Don Julio Blanco, mixed with hibiscus cordial with cocoa, strawberry and whey, the pilgrim casts aside all believes; while in the robust – thanks to Ottos Vermouth and coffee tonic – Valley of Unity, the pilgrim realizes that harmony, complexity and eternity are connected. Colours, ideas, textures, give the answer to the constant question of ‘what shall we drink’, with Zen gratification.
Upupa Epops has evolved into an example of how a complete and functional all day cafe-bar should be, at a time when the term has now become synonymous with the lack of orientation in the kitchen, the bar, the music. Like the bird, however, the bar also has an embedded compass and competent staff who aptly upgrade every aspect of the city’s bartending year after year. If you have friends from abroad and want to take them out to a ‘best in town’ bar, just bring them here.
Upupa Epops – The Bar
Alkminis 7, Kato Petralona, tel. +302121055214
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