By Stephanie Robb
It’s summer and with most of us more relaxed than usual, it’s the perfect time to opt for an outdoor lunch date with your pals. And Π fits that bill. Located in the centre of Limassol, with all the beauty the Old Town has to offer, Π at the same time manages to escape the overwhelming hustle and bustle of it.
Boasting a modern decor within the confines of an architecturally old building, it promises a comfortable, relaxed environment and dining experience. The friendly service adds to the sense of comfort.
Seating-wise, there are several outside options. Some tables are located on a pedestrian pavment and sitting there allows you to not only enjoy your meal, but also fully take in the restaurant’s, as well as the old town’s, ambiance. There is seating in the courtyard too and this offers a completely different experience. It is my preferred place to sit because you are surrounded by this beautiful old building and the trees and plants decorating it. To sit there is a must when visiting Π, especially during the lunch period.
Π’s salads are major reason for its lunchtime appeal, with its plentiful and appetising selection. With 23 salad options to select from, you are spoilt for choice. Meat, chicken or seafood, they are all available. An excellent summer choice is the Aloha Salad, which is made with avocado, parmesan flakes, croutons and fresh bell pepers. Another great option is the Gruyere and Fig Salad made with figs, gruyere cheese and brazil nuts. To be sure not all these salads are original, and can be found elsewhere in Limassol, but they are absolutely delecious. The combination of gruyere cheese and the figs is delightful.
However, if you’re the type to seek more substance in their salad, there are still many options. One of your best options would be the Smoked Duck salad made with smoked duck, picante asiago cheese, prunes and walnuts. Another great option is the Mexican Salad, made with turkey, red kidney beans, sweetcorn and fresh bell peppers. Both are very appetising, satisfying options.
If salads are not what you seek, you can try the sandwich and burger options. A great sandwich option, among the few, is the Salmon and Mascarpone Cheese. When it comes to the bugers, the options are limited to the double burger, the double turkey burger and the double tofu burger.
Unfortunately, when it comes to pasta, Π is not the ideal choice. Although the dishes look tasty on the menu, the reality is more disappointing. Having had a few of the pasta options: Three Cheese; Chicken, Mushroom and Cream and Italian Sausage, I have come to the conclusion that these dishes can be betterd. The pasta is actually cooked well, meaning Italian al-dente style, and the sauces are actually quite tasty, yet – and appreciating that Π has the Mediterranean style of creating dishes – are filled with oil making them too rich for comfort. Those first few bites of pasta are delicious, but by the time you’ve got to the end, the rich taste of olive oil has become overwhelming and rich.
Even so, Π remains a great lunch hotspot and a definite must to those wanting to try something different.
VITAL STATISTICS
Where: Kitiou Kiprianou
Contact: 25341944
Speciality: Continental
