The Weekly Collection #7
What's happening in town? What will happen in restaurants, bars, theatre & music scenes that you want to be there?
February, then. The month of Valentine's Day, Halloween and Halloween is here, and it's ready to give us everything the rest of us owe: Party and carefree. Because the situation in January had a bit of Ben Affleck's face at the Grammys. Well, no matter how we do it, we're more Jennifer. We want to be.
So today, too, we went out, ate, drank, watched, clapped and learned all those places that ensure us that this month will go well. At least when it comes to our outings. Because the truth is that the good mood from the store, the event, and the show you are going to is visible.
The sushi with 5/5 stars: Akira
Where: 6-8 Markou Botsari, Ilioupoli & 6-8 Stoa Korai, Athens
When: Every day from 16.30 - 00.00
Why: It doesn't matter if it reminds you of an anime, a console game, or Kurosawa. It doesn't matter if you are a sushi fan (you will be). The only thing that matters in Akira's case is finding a table. And, be hungry because you will eat well.
Akira's sushi and fantastic bao bans have a feature I have so far encountered very few times (if not at all) in sushi bars of its category: You taste all the ingredients. The carrots, the cucumbers, the -terrible- crab. You can deconstruct whatever you have ordered during the tasting and evaluate it by giving it an excellent 10. Or instead, five since, on TripAdvisor, that is where the pleasure "ends". And Akira has managed to keep it intact with over 450 reviews (as of now). And not without reason, to fill in somewhere here, since the quality-price-taste ratio is perfect.
What to eat: Let me start by saying that we edamame beyond agastas because sushi without edamame is impossible. The bowl they are served in is enormous. Try bao bans. If you're in a crab phase, get the ones with the crab. If you're in the mood for sea bass, get sea bass. Anyway, get bao bans. There are two per serving, so you won't want to share them. Also, ask about the soup of the day. With this cold, it will be just the thing for a starter.
From sushi? California and Black Tiger Roll with black rice and crab tartare are a must. The Harisaki Roll with seared sea bass is also firm.
Bonus tip: Apart from the sake, an old-time classic in such a shop, the cocktails are an equally good choice and will surprise you very positively. I tried the Lu Bu with yuzu and citrus and ordered a second.
The bar where you will drink a second (and third) cocktail: Μωσαϊκό
Where: Laodikis 30, Glyfada
When: Every day from 9.00 until very late
Why: It is one of your most decent options if you are in the south. Because Mosaico, from the very first day of its establishment, made it clear that it is not another bar in Glyfada. It is a place where you can drink your drink, enjoy your cocktail (ask Dimitris behind the bar what he recommends or, better yet, give him the freedom to prepare one to your liking) and, depending on the day, dance to pop or rock rhythms. Mosaic started its long journey with a fantastic projector that, throughout the evening, you could sneak glimpses of Stanley Kubrick's Space Odyssey. This is just one of the special moments you can experience in this shop.
Extra tip: I hunted his parties. The Djs he brings is powerful and will make you dance a lot.
The show you have to stop whatever you're doing and see: ΕΛΕΝΙΤ
Where: At Στέγη του Ιδρύματος Ωνάση
When: 16-19 February at 20.30
Why: Because Euripides Laskaridis is that artist we want to follow in whatever he does because we know it will be excellent. Because after the fantastic performance, "Arches", which he presented in front of the Eleusinians, I think he convinced us all that the cultural hand of Midas (if we assume that such a thing exists) could be deservedly awarded to him since everything he touches becomes gold and applause.
ELLENIT is another unique and genuinely excellent work presented at Stegi four years ago, and since then, it has been travelling in Europe and impressing its audience as it should. It's a dark comedy with fantastical creatures that will make your day, month, week, and maybe even year. Trust me.
Where do I book: tickets.onasis.org/show
The ballet we want to see: 3 ROOMS
Where: In the Stavros Niarchos Hall Εθνικής Λυρικής Σκηνής
When: February 15, 16, 18, 19
Why: 3 different directions. Three different perspectives. A ballet. The outstanding work of the ELS Ballet is back and waiting for you to see it for the first or second time and applaud the fantastic way that dance can bring people together. But also the artists. The Director of the ELS Ballet, Konstantinos Rigos, talks again on stage with two of the most important dance figures worldwide, the leading Czech choreographer Jirji Kilian and the internationally recognized Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, and they want us to be present in this unique conversation. "3 ROOMS" is a dance performance that can touch both seasoned and novice (about dance) spectators.
Where do I book? Electronically at www.ticketservices.gr and at ELS cash desks (2130885700, daily 9.00-21.00)
The periodic exhibition that will captivate you:«Nouveau Realism»
Where: At Ίδρυμα Βασίλη και Ελίζας Γουλανδρή
Until when: 9/04/23
Why: Why a walk in Pagrati is always a good idea? Especially when you're going to catch an exhibition on Neo-Realism, one of the major artistic movements of the 20th century. The Vassilis & Elisa Goulandris Foundation honours the thirteen members who formed the said movement, namely Arman, François Dufrêne, Raymond Hains, Yves Klein, Martial Raysse, Daniel Spoerri, Jean Tinguely and Jacques Villeglé, César, Mimmo Rotella, Niki de Saint Phalle, Gérard Deschamps, Christo. An exhibition that has already become the talk of the town in a city that, as we have said, never sleeps but also never stops giving us reasons to come into contact with art.
Extra tip: Ask for a guided tour; if you have yet to see it, go to the Museum's permanent exhibition. She is excellent.
Where do I book: You can get your ticket at the museum box office (Regular ticket: €10 and reduced €6 - free entry for Friends of the Vassilis & Elizas Goulandris Foundation)
The movie we've been waiting a long time for: «TÁR» του Todd Field
Where: City Cinemas
When: All week
Why: Because according to the wells of Hollywood, we may have a third Oscar for the fantastic Cate Blanchett, who, in case it happens, will manage to reach the iron lady of the big screen, Meryl Streep. Yes, the upcoming Oscars will probably have a lot more suspense than in recent years (which, aside from Will Smith's "what" move with the slap, were generally pretty boring, at least on the competition side).
In a case that willy-nilly puts you a little in the logic of Damien Chazelle's magical and highly Oscar-winning "Whiplash" (but no relation), Lydia Tar is an innovative conductor at the height of her career, and we follow her story. With - no matter how cliche it reads - breathless.
Till next time: Whether you believe in holidays or not, believe in love and do something special with her, with him, with you.
