And I’m not saying that this is a bad thing. It’s a phenomenon, based on an old story.
Fitzrovia has always been a home to many Nationalities and their fabulous cooking. Italians, Maltese, French and of course the Greeks and the Cypriots. But, at the moment Fitzrovia seems to be going through a Greek culinary renaissance, with some exciting new restaurant openings that supplement an already solid bedrock.
1905 has just opened up on the corner of Mortimer and Great Titchfield, serving Cretan inspired cuisine. This is their second operation in Fitzrovia, having opened the well established and superb Life Goddess on Store Street. Further up Great Titchfield Street, Kuros has opened with two sites – one a cafe and one a restaurant. Directly opposite Kuros is the outrageously delicious Meraki, which is product of Arjun and Peter Waney, who also created Roka (another Fitzrovia fav), Zuma, La Petite Maison and many more. Their restaurant is on the site of the original Effes, a famous Turkish restaurant which is part of Fitzrovia folklore.
Over on Percy street is the very lively The Elysee restaurant, situated in a Georgian townhouse. Just around the corner on Charlotte Street you will find a hattrick of established Greek offerings, in the form of Andreas, Ampeli and Ousia. Just a bit further to the north on Cleveland Street you will find The Four Lanterns, a recently refurbished Greek Restaurant. I’m sure I’ve missed a few too!
Feeling full up yet? Not surprised, I’m stuffed! Let’s pop into Alex Coffee on Hanson Street. It’s owned by Alex, a Greek ex-lawyer turned barista, who has built up a loyal following of locals who are mad for his blends.
At LDG we also have a fresh and organic in-house Greek called Themis. A man of knowledge and passion, he is a big advocate of the foods from his homeland. I’ve asked him for his favourite, but he just won’t commit – unless you rent an apartment from him!
