A brand new restaurant that brings an authentic taste of Greece and Cyprus to Grimsby town centre has been officially open for just over a fortnight now – and unsurprisingly, it’s very popular.
Situated on Victoria Street West, within the former premises of the Casper’s restaurant, Axios Greek & Mediterranean Kitchen has been a labour of love for couple Melanie and Alex, who together have more than 40 years’ of experience in the restaurant industry.
The interior of the eatery has been renovated beautifully throughout, with bright and colourful wall murals, a fancy bar and seating area and little touches that would not look out of place in a restaurant in Greece itself.
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I’ve eaten there twice already, and it’s clear to see that the restaurant has been a big hit with the people of Grimsby. On Saturday, August 17 (the day after the grand opening), the place was absolutely packed.
I ordered Garides (prawns) for my starter – this was described on the menu as shell-off King prawns pan-fried with garlic, butter, olive oil, white wine and a touch of cream. My partner went for the Halloumi, which was described on the menu as sliced and grilled Halloumi with a sun-dried tomato paint, olive oil and chilli flakes.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
Something that makes Axios stand out from the crowd is their focus on slow, easy-going and relaxed dining. While some restaurants pride themselves on the pace the food is brought to your table from ordering – meaning you’re in and out in the space of about an hour – Axios is the opposite, to replicate how it’s done at authentic restaurants in Greece.
The starters were served after about 20 to 25 minutes, although I can’t be sure exactly. To be honest, I do quite like sitting back, chatting and enjoying the whole atmosphere of a place whilst waiting for the food. I’m not a big fan of ordering something and having it served within five or ten minutes. It makes me feel rushed.
The prawns were some of the best I’ve eaten in years. I lived in Portugal for a year-and-a-half at one stage many moons ago, and I’ve never been able to find anywhere that serves King prawns the way they do over there – until now. The sauce was rich, vibrant and creamy and the tang of the garlic and white wine just brought the whole dish to life.
When it was time to order mains, I wanted to try something I’d never had before, so I ordered the Beef Stiphado (£19). This is an authentic Greek stew in which prime beef is cubed and cooked with mixed herbs and spices, tomatoes and wine vinegar, and served with orzo rice pasta.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
My partner went for the Garides Saganaki (£18), a dish in which King prawns are cooked in a rich tomato sauce and white wine and served with crumbled feta cheese, parsley and flat bread.
I enjoyed my main – the beef was tender, moreish and flavourful and the orzo rice pasta was certainly something different. Orzo is basically tiny pieces of pasta that are shaped like grains of rice, and it’s so, so tasty. The whole dish was just the ultimate comfort food, the kind you’d expect to be made lovingly by a little Greek grandma who has cooked for her family for generations.
The second time we visited, just a few days later, the lovely waiter recommended that we go all out and order a Meze, which was described on the menu as a “Greek feast in itself”.
For £29 per person, the Meze is listed on the menu as including the following:
- Taramosalata, houmous and tzatziki dipping platter
- Saganaki (fried cheese)
- Calamari
- Garides (prawns)
- Loukanika (Greek sausage)
- Lountza (Cypriot cured pork loin)
- Halloumi
- Souvlaki
- Gyros
- Horiatiki (Greek salad)
- Kritharaki (orzo pasta in sauce)
- Fries with feta cheese
- Moussaka
- Kleftiko (leg of lamb)
- Baklava
- Greek coffee
Each dish is served one or two at a time, and taken away when you’re finished to be replaced by the next. Everything was lovely, but the Saganaki and Kritharaki dishes weren’t included in what we were served. To be totally honest though, I’m not even complaining, because I found myself getting full after around the dish three mark.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
When they said it was a feast, they certainly weren’t lying. I’d never had a Meze before so really didn’t know what to expect, but I absolutely loved it.
Ordering a Meze is a great way to experience a wide range of Greek and Cypriot flavours all at once. My favourite dishes out of the lot was the dipping platter, prawns, Loukanika and moussaka.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
As for the Greek coffee at the end – this is something everyone needs to try at least once in their lifetime. It’s unlike any coffee I’ve ever tried before, and it’s one of those things that you’re either going to absolutely love, or absolutely hate. That’s all I’m going to say on that – just go and try it for yourselves.
In conclusion, I’m very, very impressed with Axios. The whole atmosphere of the place and the delicious, authentic food really does make you feel like you’re on holiday – and that’s a feeling I think we all need more of.
