There are restaurants which I drive by consistently and say to myself, “I need to try that”, and that’s what happened with Evinos on the main Ayia Napa – Protaras junction.
I remember eating there about a decade ago, but since then the management has changed and the entire place has had a complete facelift. The building is designed like an old colonial house and looks stunning sitting at the top of the town.
Two non-food related points make it immediately appealing, firstly they boast a fantastic view of Cape Greco from the patio and secondly, they have their own huge car park – which is unheard of in Ayia Napa and a bonus for a lazy middle aged man like me.
The days of squeezing the car into side streets through a series of dangerous reversing maneuvers, then trekking halfway across the town are over – I want to park, eat, pay the bill and hop in the car in time for bed at a reasonable hour.
Once seated on the patio, with a bottle of chilled white wine, I was pleased to see that the menu offered seafood, steak and pasta dishes – so I ordered the beef steak and my dining partner went for the predictable garlic chicken (if she orders that again, I will not take her out anymore).
As we sat sipping wine we discussed the many empty tables. It’s not the food – it’s primarily due to the emergence of the soul destroying all inclusive breaks which is slowly ruining the restaurant trade across this resort.
Looking for a place to eat in Ayia Napa for lunch is now almost hopeless as many restaurants don’t bother opening until 4.30, due to the free lunchtime buffets at almost every hotel. When tour operators sell their packages they used to suggest restaurants in their brochures… does that still happen?
Anyway after about 20 minutes the food arrived: the medium cooked Fillet Steak Chasseur at €19.50 was terrific, tender and tasty and came with a plate of freshly peeled and fried chips. Top marks.
As I was munching on my chasseur steak, I was mildly distracted as group of young London based doctors were discussing their work in great detail at super volume on the next table – I have often wondered why almost empty restaurants seem to group people together – is it for warmth?
More worryingly, I quietly get absorbed in the their conversation and want to hear every detail – in turn ignoring my wife but secretly mouthing occasional lines like “the one in the hat is the chief surgeon”.
Once the team from Casualty had gone, she had my full attention again, I was told that the Chicken Fillet Garlic at €12 was tender, with an “incredible” white-garlic butter sauce; it was served with baked potato and green vegetables.
The portions are extremely generous and may be too much to eat, so it’s best go with an empty stomach. Before you leave, have a dessert and try the scrumptious banana split and cinnamon.
Evinos was a good choice – I found the whole evening, including the young doctors, to be very pleasant, the waiters were attentive, the food delivered in timely manner and the dιcor and cleanliness of the restaurant was fine.
Anyway – if you are not all inclusive – the restaurant is easy to find; just follow the road out of Ayia Napa until you meet arrive at the final junction to Protaras.
VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALITY International (and the view)
WHERE Evinos Tavern, Kryou Nerou Avenue, Ayia Napa
CONTACT 23 725150
PRICE Main dishes from €12
