Steve Dunlop Photographer

This is Pantelis. Friend and local restaurateur

Pantelis owns and runs my favourite Greek Restaurant here in Bayswater W2, the Aphrodite Taverna. It’s just around the corner from London’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral Saint Sophia.

Pantelis, a Greek Cypriot, with his late Brazilian wife Rosana, opened Aphrodite Taverna Greek Restaurant in 1994. They were a formidable team; the beautiful fun loving Rosana ran Front of House (everyone loved Rosana – how couldn’t you!) whilst Pantelis headed up the kitchen. The restaurant oozed strong family values and a homely ambiance.

The Taverna continues to be family operated with Pantelis, still leading in the kitchen, always making time to greet customers as they step through the door.

Pantelis serves up a lust for Mediterranean Life in generous helpings of his special Lamb Souvla, his Melinzanosalata, his Meat Mezes. His glorious delicate spanakopita is a special treat

Pantelis loves his local customers. He’ll always make that last minute “We should have booked but errr…didn’t” space for a loyal local. I know I’ve outstayed my welcome on more than one occasion, but there’s never a hint of annoyance from Pantelis. Just hindsight remorse from me. Pantelis simply loves the fact that you want to stay and enjoy his food, wine, & hospitality.

There’s been many a time when I’ve shared a Metaxa with Pantelis at the end of a busy evening. The best of times.

Husky

It probably comes as no surprise that Pantelis owns, and loves, two (and there’s a lot of contradictions in this next sentence) very alpha Male, gentle, big ’n scary, soft as anything, Huskies. They tug strongly at this particular Greek Cypriot’s chefs’ forearms but people love these blue-eyed boys, Max and Benjamin.

Pantelis lives just around the corner from me. We bump into each other whilst walking our dogs around the streets or in Kensington Gardens. Maude, our shy Tibetan Terrier, is in awe of Max & Ben.

If ever you’re in the neighbourhood drop in on Pantelis.
There’s always a laughter and good food on the menu.
Tables full with Greek families simply enjoying life and Tables of Locals raising glasses of Retsina.
There’s even the odd celebrity to try and not gawp at.

Book early to avoid disappointment though!

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