We are in the heart of the summer season and dear Thessaloniki visitors, today I am going to tell you about a great place to eat – ERGON !
Ergon is a restaurant and deli which opened it’s doors in March 2012 as a new concept store in the heart of Thessaloniki. Now it has 5 more sister stores in Greece, one in London and more are expected to come soon !
Ergon instantly became talk of the town – in the city known for good food – since it features classic greek recipes with a modern twist.
If you are more than 2 people, it is best to take a few dishes in the middle to share, greek style. That way you will have the chance to taste various dishes. Whatever you do, don’t leave without having a dessert !
With head chef the famous Dimitri Skarmoutso, fine quality first materials, and good prices there is no surprise for this success.
The restaurant in Thessaloniki, is not very big, and they don’t accept reservations so if you don’t find a place to sit go back in a less crowded hour, because it would be really a shame to miss this culinary experience. The menu changes often so I am giving you their webpage to check the current one.
If you enjoy your lunch or dinner – and I am 100% sure that you will, the deli next door will give you the chance to take with you a taste of Thessaloniki !
Located on the upper part of Aristotelous square, you can easily miss it as you pass through Filippou or Olympou street as it is located a few meters below street level.
This is however a very important historical monument in the heart of the city !
The Roman ‘forum’ (market place complex) of the time of the Antonines and the Severans (2nd-3rd century AD) was situated on the site where possibly the Hellenistic ‘agora’ once stood. Due to the incline, the buildings were disposed on two terraces (Upper and Lower Agora) connected by a stone staircase.
The square Upper Agora was paved and surrounded by stoae (porticoes) with two-tiered columns and decorated floors. On the eastern side there was the library and the odeum. Because of the considerable difference between the two levels, a ‘cryptoporticus’ (double subterranean stoa) was constructed under the south portico of the Upper Agora; this structure faced the Lower and served as supporting wall for the Upper Agora and as refuge in bad weather.
The facade of the ‘forum’ towards the Via Regia (present-day Via Egnatia) was splendid: the two-tiered southern stoa of the Lower Agora had a platform to the south-east and bore relief figures of Maenads, Dionysos, Ganymede etc. – today in the Louvre Museum – known as ‘idols’ or ‘Las Incantadas’ (the bewitched ones).
There is a “hidden” museum inside the market, also not easily visible, but once you are there, ask if it is open.
This is the event of the week ! Fortunately it lasts almost all week so you have still time to go !
From June 30 to July 3rd Thessaloniki, and most specifically Haven Bar is transformed to Havana, Cuba !
I was there last night and I must tell you one thing – if you are in town don’t miss it !!
The atmosphere and energy was amazing. There was a big cuban street party with DYI mojitos sponsored by Havana Club, live music and dance !
The organisation of the event is simply amazing. At the entrance you receive your passport and then get inside where with you are given the ingredients to make your own mojito. Bartenders at the special kiosks inform you about the history of cuban mojito and help you make it yourself. Of course making a mojito is really simple and easy, so once you make it you enjoy it for free with the sound of cuban music.
When I left I just wished there was a bar like this for the whole summer.
Aristotelous Street and Square is the heart of the city !
It connects the city since it is a central meeting point. It runs from the ancient roman market ruins down to the waterfront. Whether you visit Thessaloniki for one day or for one month, this is a place you cannot miss !
Named after the great philosopher Aristoteles, you will also find his statue at one corner on the lower part. It is a place for concerts, fairgrounds, and any sort of seasonal outdoor activity. If something is happening in the city, you will usually find it here.
Streets that cross with Aristotelous are, Nikis avenue which is the waterfront, and as we go up Mitropoleos a shopping street, Tsimiski the main shopping street, Vas, Irakliou and Ermou, minor shopping streets, Egnatia street, and Filipou street which is where you will find the ancient roman market !
Aristotelous Square (Greek: Πλατεία Αριστοτέλους, IPA: [plaˈtia aristoˈtelus], Aristotle Square) is the main city square ofThessaloniki, Greece and is located on Nikis avenue (on the city’s waterfront), in the city center. It was designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard in 1918, but most of the square was built in the 1950s. Many buildings surrounding the central square have since been renovated and its northern parts were largely restored in the 2000s.
I am featuring one of my own photos as well as a famous one by absolute vodka which celebrates aristotelous’s shape !
It is the first weekend of June, so it is time for the annual naked bike ride ! Currently on it’s 7th edition, this is an event that when it started only the “crazy” ones joined, and now it is a massive event that almost every young person in the city joins.
The World Naked Bike Ride is an international movement in which more than 70 cities worldwide take part.
It is the ultimate peaceful celebration for the promotion of bicycle as a means of transport, and sustainable mobility, against car culture and the pollution that it causes. For our independence from oil, lignite and non-renewable energy sources. For ecology, environment, human and non-human animals. For peace and non-violence, for the freedom of expression and stop feeling guilty for our naked body.
If the title scares you, don’t worry, you can come as naked as you want to. That means totally naked, or with a swimsuit, or even with a vest and shorts, whatever you feel comfortable in. More than anything this event is about freedom and joy !
The program for tomorrow goes as follows :
PROGRAM– FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2014
15.00 BODYPAINTING
17.00 EVENTS with music set Holly Rabit,
Danny A.K, Lucie Brova.
19.00 NAKED BIKE RIDE
22.00 PARTY WITH: music ensemble KROUSI
Music set: GG, YuGi, Naked Bike Rider
+ stilt walkers, film projections, fireworks and many other surprises.
When : 6/6/2014 at 19:00
Where : HANTH/YMCA of Thessaloniki Skate Park (Xarhakos)
Who : Children In Action, Thessaloniki Ecological Movement, Thessaloniki EYC 2014
metamatic:taf is a well known multicultural space in Athens that very recently opened it’s sister place in Thessaloniki !
I discovered it by accident this weekend, since it is hidden in an old building off-valaoritou area.
They informed us that they had just opened a week ago and we were very happy for the new discovery !
What is it ? It is a bar and also art space.
As you can see there is already an art exhibition at the front space. The building itself is really amazing and the whole atmosphere very relaxed and post modern.
metamatic:taf Thessaloniki is located in the cultural and entertainment center of the city at an abandoned until recently listed building at Edessis street. It aims to be an independent establishment implementing events related to all forms of artistic production, open and accessible to the public all year round, seven days a week.
Through practices that strengthen people’s participation and solidarity, all members of the community and especially young people are given the opportunity to implement and present their creative ideas, thus contributing to the formation of the city’s cultural policy and identity.
Today I will present to you a newly found discovery which has instantly climbed to the top of my best bougatsa in town list !
What is bougatsa ? Ok, let’s take it from the beginning.
Bougatsa, (Greek: Μπουγάτσα[buˈɣatsa]), is a Greek breakfast pastry consisting of either semolina custard, cheese, or minced meat filling between layers of phyllo. It is said to originate in Serres, in the Macedonia region of northern Greece and is especially popular in the northern Greek port of Thessaloniki.
I think wikipedia has covered the basics, all you have to do now is taste it !
To Neon is a typical bougatsa place in the centre of the city. It is located on the corner of L.Sofou and Fragon str. right opposite the conservatory – a beautiful old building, and 5 minutes walking from the port. It also has other breakfast pastry things which I have not tasted, therefore I cannot recommend. I am really addicted to the cheese bougatsa, and cannot think of anything else !
There is a sitting area so you can enjoy your bougatsa there, or take it with you. The staff is very polite, clean and fast. Try it and you will not regret it !
TedX is back for it’s 4th year in Thessaloniki. This year’s theme ?
Where does something end and where does it begin?
How can an end boost inspiration and how does a beginning make an end?
Where do we start from and how many are the ends and beginnings in a human’s lifetime?
This year TedX will explore the powerful circle between the end and the beginning and the moving force created when combined almost in every aspect of our life. A best selling author, an inspirational teacher and a historical figure from the design industry, among other speakers, will help us better understand what ends and beginnings mean to us. The guests will share ideas, personal stories and experiences to showcase the ever-evolving relationship between new starts and endings. We’ll have the chance to follow a young photographer’s strenuous efforts to understand the worlds of pornography and trafficking, and help young people make a new start in their lives, while a social entrepreneur will show how he decided to make a new beginning and flourish in a country miles away from his birthplace. Having experienced in our very own lives profound change through ends and beginnings over the recent years, this year TEDxThessaloniki felt the need to put together and showcase on stage people who have managed to master this powerful interconnection between several starting and ending points*.
Here is the programme.
SESSION 1 | 11.00-12.50 | Liftoff
1. Performance Vis Motrix – Dance Group
2. Maya Tsoclis – Journalist
3. Stephanie Hospital – Venture Capitalist
4. Andreas Souvaliotis – Social entrepreneur
5. Chris Giannou – War surgeon
BREAK | 12.50-13.30
SESSION 2 | 13.30-15.30 | Think Again
1. Dimitris Korres – Engineer
2. Dianna Cohen – Artist – Environmental activist
3. Prodromos Nikiforidis – Architect
4. Tim Rylands – Educator
5. Performance Polkar – Music band
BREAK | 15.30-16.30
SESSION 3 | 16.30-18.20 | The Journey is Ours
1. Christos Chomenidis – Novelist
2. Christian Heilmann – Web professional
3. Myrto Papadopoulos – Photographer
4. Satyabrata Dam – Adventurist
5. Performance Stringless – Music band
BREAK | 18.20-19.00
SESSION 4 | 19.00-20.30 | To Βe Continued
1. Carlos Eduardo Espinal – Startup investor
2. Diana Wais – Clinical psychologist
3. George Lois – Creative Director-Designer
4. Performance Plus n’ Minus Collective – Music band
When? Tomorrow May 10th at 11:00
Where? Royal Theatre of Thessaloniki – White Tower area
If you did not get your ticket in time you can watch live streaming here
*The theme of TEDxThessaloniki 2014 is inspired by and built around T.S. Eliot’s quote “What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”
One of the best places to enjoy good food in the city is Agioli Restaruant at Nikis avenue.
Very close to Aristotelous square, this restaurant is known for good quality food, reasonable prices, relaxed atmosphere and amazing city view !
There are actually 3 different food menu options to choose from. On the ground floor you can find the beer house with a big selection of Greek breweries and mostly meet food choices to accompany them. On the other side of the ground floor you will find the “ouzeri” with seafood options.
Top floor is my personal favourite though, because nothing beats the balcony sea view from white tower to the port. The food choices here have big variety. You can choose excellent set menus or order a la carte. There are also many healthy food options, vegetarian dishes as well as organic !
After a healthy meal you can give an excuse to yourself to enjoy the delicious desserts !
… a live crowdfunding event
… a guerilla dinner in unexpected places
… an opportunity to support the creative class of Thessaloniki
… a solidarity act. After all you can’t make it all on your own!
… a place to bring together the creative community
In other words, people meet for a casual dinner, where they attend presentations of new business concepts for a small fee. At the end of the night the best concept, as voted by all participants, wins the amount of money collected.
Where ?
The first Thessaloniki FEAST will take place at ApoDec
The people managing this new concept are Argiro Barata and Niki Vouimta two very friendly and energetic girls I had the pleasure to meet to help them choose the appropriate natural tableware for the event.
If you are in town don’t miss your chance to mingle, network and have fun!
Our city needs events that support local creativity and since we are also well known for partying and having fun, I surely hope to see you all there !
We are in the heart of the summer season and dear Thessaloniki visitors, today I am going to tell you about a great place to eat – ERGON !
Love Thessaloniki 