Already years ago, Greece, on its many islands, became one of the most popular tourist destinations for Israelis, say it is because of the Israeli resemblance, our love of the sea and sun and even the tranquility that can not be found here - and there is plenty.
Alongside all this, there is also the food that this country offers (and its prices, but that's for another article).
Gyros, mozzarella and khuriatiki salad (or "Greek salad" as they like to call it in our districts) have long since become dishes that Israelis put in their kitchens, and it is no wonder that Greek restaurants are popping up in the country all the time.
One of those restaurants is "Guy Salon" by chef Guy Peretz, who, by and large, proves that you don't have to get on a plane to feel like we're in Greece - just get to the West Hotel in Ashdod, where he recently opened another branch of the restaurant (the first at the West Hotel "In Tel Aviv - fish milk), and enjoy the amazing food that the place has to offer.
Chef Guy Peretz, Photo: Shiran Cohen Shai
The Greek feeling arrives already at the entrance to the place, which is decorated in a Greek-Mediterranean style from A to T.
But with all due respect to design, we are here for the food, so we chose to start with a few entrees.
The beef carpaccio was nothing short of a masterpiece, with a precise balance of Dijon mustard, balsamic cream, arugula, garlic confit and olive oil - proof that you can take a very basic dish and with a lot of talent to upgrade it a billion times.
From here we continued to Dolmades, which are rolled vine leaves stuffed with sour round rice, which did not excite us too much, which is a shame.
Pava artichoke, which some call "Greek chickpeas" (since it is a warm yellow pea cream with a texture similar to chickpeas), was more successful, and the tender artichoke hearts lifted the dish, which was very addictive.
Another amazing entree, by the way, was the "Hot Stone" - chunks of sirloin that you can roast yourself on a boiling pebble, served with a mixture of spices and Cypriot salsa.
So simple, so wow.
Next we got to the mains, but not before we had a cocktail - we opted for Greek Sunset, which includes malt malt ouzo, grapefruit juice, squeezed lemon, passion fruit syrup, orange bitter and red wine, mint, cinnamon stick, orange and edible counts.
All this goodness came in a huge glass, and it was a drink that both looked good and had a good taste, one that gives extra in every sip.
Greek Salon Ashdod, Photo: Shiran Cohen Shai
Back to the mains.
The considerable selection of dishes was very tempting, and we chose two dishes: kebab and gyros - both from Asado.
The gyros comes in a nice Greek pita mini with onions on charcoal, and was classic in its flavors.
Delicious, well made, but did not have a "kick" that bounced it up.
In contrast, the kebab was excellent - it comes with a bonfire potato in the center of the plate, and it was just compressed which is so important to the kebab.
The onions and parsley were delicate and so were the grilled vegetables, and everything created a super tasty dish.
After we exploded from everything we ate, it was impossible not to end the evening with something sweet, right?
What is a meaty evening if it does not include a successful dessert?
After quite a bit of deliberation (the whole dessert menu made us laugh), we opted for a Greek ice cream triple yogurt, which was nothing short of excellent!
This is a vegan ice cream (still a kosher restaurant) that comes in three toppings - berries, raw tehini and sesame, and citrus with honey.
The yogurt-ice cream itself was soft and tasty, moderately sweet, so it blended well with each of the toppings, each of which was wonderful in its appetizing way.
Even though we were completely full, we could not help but eliminate them all, because really they were so delicious, especially the berry topping which was super addictive.
Chef Peretz has once again shown that with tons of talent and a true design and culinary vision, it is possible to bring Greece to Israel, even kosher, and give the familiar and beloved food twists to suit the local audience, who love twists to things he knows well.
The "Greek living room" has a lot of the seller, but the same seller comes with a difference that makes it no longer an invested restaurant, but one that offers diners a full stomach for a variety of successful delicacies - and we will see that you are not satisfied.
"Greek Salon", West Hotel, Ashdod
Sunday-Thursday 23: 00-18: 00
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