I’m officially on a calorie-controlled diet and to make matters worse – I am also a newly signed up member of my local gym – it’s all part of the midlife dividend handed to me by God after years of self-neglect.
Now, before you picture me as the naturally ripped Adonis grunting nosily away at the weights, please think again. I’m the small fella looking uncomfortable on the treadmill rejoicing at having run 1.5km at 7.5kph in a super-human 12 minutes.
I’m told by the nice lady at the gym that come summer, I will be a skinny, but sporty hunk and will probably develop an interest in advising others how to keep them selves in shape.
Anyway, this dramatic new change of lifestyle does obviously pose a small dilemma as a Cyprus Mail restaurant critic; out go the fat steaks, mountains of potatoes and plate loads of exotic oriental foods. I’m now under increasing pressure to find good eateries, but that also serve food with my calorie stamp of approval.
So after a break of nearly three years, last weekend we turned up at Cava Restaurant in Paralimni on a dark, cold, wet evening. In the nineties Cava was all the rage and still manages to remain popular with locals, serving an incredible array of traditional and contemporary cuisine and fine wines.
Unsurprisingly with the dire weather, it turned out to be a quiet night, with only a few tables occupied. The dining room manages to reflect a typical European city restaurant, with its crisp white linen covered tables, solid wood furniture and dimmed lighting.
The menu, which stretches to about a dozen pages, offers everything from pastas, to Beef Stroganoff and local fish dishes.
My wife skipped the starter, but I tucked into a beautifully flavoured and delicious healthy salad, made up of tangy rocket leaves with slices of raw salmon, and a drizzle of light vinegar. One mouthful of the crispy-chewy rocket and I was sold.
The main courses on offer were from traditional European legend: Venison Fillet, grilled vegetables and forest fruit sauce (at €27.50) – but alas after getting excited, I was told there was no venison available, and was offered the same dish with beef.
Despite the fact that they did not have any venison in stock, I think it is the first time I have ever seen it listed on a local menu. According to those in the know, venison sales across Britain rose dramatically in the past few years and there are no signs of any let up.
When you are on a diet you realise that steak doesn’t always have to be dished up with chips – so, my beef steak, jacket potatoes and grilled vegetables (carrots, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes and peppers) all hit the spot, it is amazing how hungry I feel all the time since starting this new lifestyle.
My wife ordered the boiled salmon which came swimming in dill sauce; the fish fell apart and was wonderfully moist. It was served with broccoli, baked potatoes and carrots.
The restaurant also boasts a cellar filled with a huge collection of prized wines from near and far.
The menu is very reasonably priced considering the high standard of food on offer; with my evening tallying up at €55, which included a small bottle of Greek wine, a bottle bitter lemon and a large bottle of sparkling water.
VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALTY International
WHERE Cava Restaurant, 1st April Street, Paralimni
CONTACT 23 730545
PRICE €55 for two
