Gardens of Salonica Traditional and modern Greek cuisine

The Gardens attended the third annual Toast and Taste in the Garden, THE benefit sponsoring the MN Landscape Arboretum, took place to a sell-out crowd: 800!! The Gardens of Salonica provided some of the prettiest, most enthusiastic distributors of the event! Happy to be in attendance, Kathleen, Shana, Rena and Patric (the staffed volunteer from the Cordon Bleu) treated guests to Taramas and Caper Berries on Pita Points, savory Hortopita, and Baklavas Horiatiko (rustico). There were more converts to the Taramas (caviar mousse) than an evangelical salvation call.

What does a office department order when 30 decide to eat out together? They call in their preferences and Anna puts together a family-style meal that is ready when they walk in and served seamlessly to the end. Today's menu? Melitzana, Tyro, Fava, Briam, Spanakorizo, Yigandes, Freshly grilled skewers of Chicken and Lamb, Gyros and Tzatziki, Greek Fries and, of course, Greek Salad. And the dessert? Who has eaten Baklava freshly baked the same day? Topped off with Greek Coffee, complements of the Gardens...now, who's up for work??? ;)

Yes, and here's the proof! Lindsey and Xeno ordered a traditional Greek Extravaganza: Spinach Feta and Pikantiko Boughatsas, Tyro and Melitzanosalata with Pita bread at the table and two banquet tables-long of Greek Salad, Stiratto Bread, Vegetarian Mousakas, Pilafi, Kota Riganati, Gyros and Tzatziki, Lamb Psito and Patates tou Fournou, and a separate table of Kourembiedes (toasted almond butter cookies), Baklavas and Gioconda Trouffles. Yes, our brides AND grooms eat and immensely enjoy when the Gardens of Salonica caters. Congratulations! Oti Pethimisete!

Is the Gardens romantic? Do the Gardens have a good vibe? Evidently and to the point, our fifth couple just married under what we call, "The Tree of Life". With their closest friends flying in from all over the continent, Jenn and Jeff shared their moment with songs, dance and, of course, excellent food. We wish them every happiness!

Guess who sliced 30lb of Gyros for Steve Zeece III graduation? Lazaros! Yep, Steve had his own personal carver and the skies cooperated. No rain fell. Top photo Steve Zeece II, Steve Zeece III, Lazaros, and SZIII's mom, Amy. Build your own Gyros or Chicken Pitas, Pilafi and, of course, Greek Salad, with a bowl of Tzatziki that rivaled the swimming pool in girth, attracted the guests who could not help but focus on the food rather than the gray, threatening skies.

Westcott and Calder visited us tonight with their parents, long-time server, John, and Dena. After an appropriate amount of "good boy behavior" the two set out for their favorite rock pile--Zoran's "Table and Chairs" installation. The sun was casting its "Golden Hour" and, hey, who can resist two charming articulate boys, blasting their energy on a heap of inert stone? To wit they named them: "The Fish," The Saucer," "The Motorcycle," and "The Surfboard." There were any number of sequences, hop-scotch-like, with ensuing story lines....the night was young.

On Friday, May 7, all 21 members of Anna's Tour of Greece 2010 met for the first time for a 15 bottle wine tasting complements of Boutari Winery, Santorini. Talk about an ice breaker!

Thirty guests (Zander counts as two...in more ways than one!) tabled up Friday night to dine family-style the feast prepared by Anna and Lazaros. Starting with grilled octopus, Kolokithopita, Tzatziki, Souvlakia and Greek wine, they finished with Boughatsa crema, a large cream filled pastry sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Afterward they watched the first showing of "Small Crime", a wonderful, funny, dark and tender film that was sold out. Highly recommended it will be shown a final time during the "Best of" the International Film Festival, May 1-5. Check postings for the time.

That's how we said goodbye at the final meeting for Anna's Greece Tour 2010 this past Saturday. For the first time since the trip was closed, all fifteen of the in-state travelers met together for a family style "info-dinner". They sampled three different indigenous wines, 5 appetizers, two Boughatsas, finished with platters of lamb, pork, and chicken skewers and Yigandes. While eating, Anna explained toasting and eating customs, and basic vocab expressions. It was a chance for everyone to ask questions and to start to get to know each other.

While the Gardens was hosting multiple celebrations, yet another family joined us. Instead of waiting for a table that was rather hard to come by, they opted to sit at the bar and begin with wine and appetizers. Here they are from one end to the other. I promised to send them their photos, but I thought it was such a nice idea. I love eating at the bar.