The Old Town in Limassol has become the new epicentre of Limassol’s nightlife. Bars and restaurants have started popping up out of places you least expect it, all offering a taste of a ‘chic alternative’. Lobby is one of the new choices that excels; a high-end restaurant with an original atmosphere and decor.
The highly elegant interior is warm and comfortable. Bare concrete walls seem to be the necessity for an establishment to be considered hip. Lobby adds its own take on such Spartan taste by adding wooden panels. Wooden tables and neutral-coloured chairs make the visitor feel at home. The soft lighting creates a soothing and calming ambience without deterring the customer from sitting down and having a meal – rather than just having a drink.
Lobby additionally offers a rich menu that not only caters to every taste but also every mood. Whether it is a burger or a steak, pasta or fish, Japanese or Mexican, Lobby has it all, and from what I could tell performs well on all of them. The menus, food and wine, are presented as a magazine editorial. I found these quite entertaining, however, at 20 pages the wine list was a bit of a challenge.
The menu has a great selection that will cater to all needs and taste buds, starting with the appetizers. While there are a lot of dishes to choose from, my recommendations would be limited to one of the three Carpaccio selections: Salmon and Tuna Carpaccio, Octopus Carpaccio and the premium Beef Carpaccio. I chose the Octopus Carpaccio, fresh, thinly sliced octopus served with rocket, olive oil and fresh lemon juice. It really should be tried. If appetizers are not your thing, you could choose between the antipasti platter, the Lobby starter platter or the sausage platter. All platters cost between €14 and €16.
For main courses, the restaurant offers a variety of fresh pasta, Japanese, seafood, grill options, chef recommendations and other dishes. The pasta dishes that stand out are the seafood varieties – Linguini and Lobster or Spaghetti Prawns glazed with Ouzo and Creamy Sauce in particular – and the Rigatoni Vodka ala Pollo, which is made with sautéed chicken, mushrooms and pancetta in a smooth tomato cream sauce. Their Japanese selection offers sushi, sashimi and maki of different varieties all at €9.50. Or you could choose the Japanese Platter with 18 pieces of maki, sashimi and sushi at €22.
Top of the list for me, however, was the Devil Mussels. The mussels are carefully selected and cooked in a lightly spicy sauce. They were a delight. And competing for that top spot was the beef stroganoff, made from sautéed UK beef strips that are served in rich mushroom sauce and garnished with rice and vegetables. The beef was cooked to our liking and the sauce perfectly complemented it.
Whatever you choose, one thing is guaranteed, Lobby is an important addition to the old town’s transformation.
VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALITY International
WHERE Lobby Bar & Grill, Ayios Andreas street 258, Limassol
PRICE €30-50, Monday to Friday lunch specials for €13
WHEN Daily until 2am (lunch and dinner)
CONTACT 25 343425
