Geco at Gatsby Athens: An Enchanting “Garden” Oasis offering a Culinary Delight & Exclusive Cocktails
Nestled within Athens’ heart, beneath the illustrious 5-star boutique hotel Gatsby Athens on Lekka Street, sits the city’s new hot topic – Geco.
This bar-restaurant doesn’t merely augment Athens’ burgeoning gastronomic landscape; it confidently emerges as the preferred sanctuary for food and cocktail aficionados alike.
So, as you delve into the city’s rich history and cultural offerings, don’t miss out on the opportunity to enrich your journey with a visit to Geco.
This restaurant, a celebrated gastronomic gem in the city, truly epitomizes the phrase ‘a feast for the senses.’ It combines three important characteristics: taste, Athenian elegance, and high-end gastronomy, courtesy of a culinary team that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Walking into Geco’s creatively designed and forward-thinking secret “garden” is like stepping into an alternate realm. Set in an architecturally rich building that hails from the mid-1930s, Geco mesmerizes with its unique aesthetic charm.
Geco is a versatile destination that caters to all your gastronomic whims around the clock. Begin your Athenian adventure with an invigorating coffee and brunch to energize your day.
While exploring the vibrant city center, pause your retail therapy for a light, appetizing lunch at Geco. As the afternoon fades into the evening, indulge in an extraordinary dining experience or savor a signature cocktail embellished with an array of delightful bar bites.
Geco has become the cherished haunt for those seeking nighttime explorations through Athens’ quaint alleyways, immediately immersing visitors in an aura of holiday tranquility and ease.
Gastronomic Galaxies Converge at Geco
Geco‘s culinary excellence is a testament to the combined prowess of three stellar personalities of the Greek gastronomy scene.
Georgianna Chiliadaki is the best female chef in Greece, the 4th worldwide, and a proud receiver of 2 Michelin stars.
Known for her contributions as a lecturer in the Culinary Psychology course at Harvard University, she teams up with Nikos Roussos, also a recipient of 2 Michelin stars, globally recognized among the top chefs, and the Executive Chef at various restaurants in London showcasing Modern Greek Gastronomy, such as OPSO.
Joining forces with them is Panagiotis Flaka, the award-winning superyacht chef and Executive Chef of Gatsby Athens, a 5-star hotel.
Together, they leverage their vast experience to curate a comfortable all-day a la carte sharing menu.
At Geco, each dish is a stylish selection of Mediterranean recipes founded on genuine Greek tradition. Every recipe is crafted using the finest Greek ingredients sourced from selected producers. Artfully arranged on the plate, the dishes are reminiscent of miniature masterpieces.
“Our culinary philosophy centers around delivering delightful flavors in a ‘magical way’ so that they feel familiar to everyone! At the same time, we love the unexpected marriage of tradition with modern techniques. Personally, it’s what I’ve always enjoyed doing: continually reinventing Greek tradition for innovative results,”
Shares Chef Georgianna Chiliadaki about the dishes at Geco in Gatsby Athens.
Among the menu items that stand out, whether it’s for dining, lunch, or bar food to accompany an evening wine or cocktail, are the lamb neck that is slow-cooked for 12 hours and literally melts in the mouth and the lemony chicken with oregano that woke up our childhood memories.
“Our desire to create the epitome of taste leads us to communicate on Geco levels, which is why we created the lemon and oregano-infused chicken. What impresses me about it is the combination of intensity and balance, as well as the transformation of a familiar flavor into an unexpected surprise. Inspiration always stems from our determination to make Geco a meeting point of flavors,”
Said Executive Chef Panagiotis Flakas.
However, two dishes that you absolutely must try at Geco, perfect as appetizers or sides with your drink, are the Seafood Popsicles and the Tuna Kebabs.
The crunchy Seafood Popsicles, which look like ice cream sticks, are a mix of crab & shrimp and yuzu.
They fall under the category of bar food, but they are also an ideal way to start an official or relaxed dinner in the most flavorful way.
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, they will satisfy you with every bite. The scrumptious and innovative Tuna Kebabs are among Geco’s best sellers, and rightly so.
These are handmade kebabs made from yellowfin tuna, served with homemade pita bread.
We also recommend you try the beef tartare with fried potatoes, a classic recipe of yesteryears done to perfection, as well as the prime short burgers made with beef mince, which the chefs at Geco prepare fresh daily, ensuring the patties have the ideal amount of fat to be delicious and fresh.
“Each dish has its own ‘personality.’ The basic idea behind the menu is taste. We have no boundaries or borders when composing a dish.
We start with the best raw material we can gather at the restaurant daily, depending on the season and period, and we strive to keep this level high.
From there, it’s up to inspiration and cooking. We want the flavors that our dishes exude to be elegant and comforting.
We want our dishes to become signatures for the restaurant’s visitors and each one to find its fans,” says Chef Nikos Roussos.
For dessert, we recommend you try the chocolate brownie with thyme honey brittle and salted caramel ice cream.
Rich flavor & perfect texture are the two characteristics of this dessert. Warning: the first bite will surprise you and get you hooked, and you won’t realize how quickly you ate the second one.
Night Cocktails at Geco
The cocktails at Geco faithfully follow the quality level of its mature, exquisite cuisine. The team of barmen at Geco have prepared a list of classic and signature cocktails that satisfy the palate at every level.
They are refreshing and invigorating, served with attention to detail, from preparation to presentation, promising a rejuvenating and impressive experience.
We recommend the Gimlet, a refreshing choice with Citadelle gin, chamomile, mint, cucumber & pino mugo liquor.
The Gimlet combines the freshness of the cucumber and the light taste of the mint with the smoothness of the gin. The result is a cocktail that offers subtle aromatic notes while simultaneously delivering a refreshing experience.
On the other hand, Figgy, based on Buffalo Trace bourbon, harmoniously binds the sweet taste of figs with the slight acidity of lemon. The spices and egg white create a soft texture that makes every sip truly special.
Geco’s “cellar” is also a unique part of the experience it offers. It has a wide range of wines that include classic and unique varieties, from local Greek to international labels.
There are wines for every preference that pair flawlessly with every dish. It’s also important to mention that the experienced staff of Geco was very willing to help us choose the suitable wine to perfectly complement our culinary experience.
Geco is a delightful escape in Athens, a place where flavors and textures become works of art. Whether you choose its imaginative dishes, exquisite desserts, or original cocktails, Geco, with its innovative approach, will transport you to a unique gastronomic experience.
More info:
Geco at Gatsby Athens
14 Lekka Street, Athens
Google Maps
Photo credits: Antonis Yiamouris
source https://thevou.com/featured/geco-at-gatsby-athens/
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