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-   -   Akrotiri Kebab Houses (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/509039-akrotiri-kebab-houses.html)

OldAgeandTreachery 27th Feb 2013 17:38

Akrotiri Kebab Houses
 
Having spent many a night on the strip devouring Kebabs and Kokkinelli I now find myself on the island in a civilian capacity wishing to introduce Mrs OAaT to the delights of these wonderful establishments. I was always detached,never posted, which is why she has not enjoyed the experience.
My problem is that I have been out of the picture for some time so wonder if anyone here can give us a pointer. Sylvanas, The Swan and Chris' spring to mind. Any idea of price? Paphos area mezes are eye wateringly expensive.

TwoTunnels 27th Feb 2013 19:55

Polis was the kebab restaurant of choice a couple of years ago. Was on det there a lot in 2011 and Chris' had gone out of favour- expensive and quality of food had gone down. Haven't been to Sylvanna's for a long time, not that I've been there much anyway.
Yep, Polis definitely was good for a group kebab on det.

lj101 27th Feb 2013 20:04

Ryan's does great food - JPA friendly too.

BEagle 27th Feb 2013 22:23


Chris' had gone out of favour- expensive and quality of food had gone down.
Unless he was there in person to look after his RAF customers, it was quite common for Chris' food to be rather indifferent.

But expensive?? Surely not.

I used to prefer the Swan, now closed, for the authentic kebab experience. But Polis' was indeed the restaurant of choice.

Younger readers may wish to peruse this old PPRuNe thread: http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...ens-stool.html

ExAscoteer 27th Feb 2013 22:38

I'd agree with Beagle there.

Certainly in my time Ascoteering, Sylvanus and Polis were the choice if Chris wasn't about.

Having said that, after cracking a case of Keo with the crew outside Block 100, having a Tac 'Z', and then a couple of jugs of Brandy Sour in the mess prior to the sally, I'm not sure it makes a jot of difference which kebab house one visits!

More lookout 27th Feb 2013 23:41

In the early nineties, Polis was the best for quality. Chris was best for dealing with a large crowd. A few years back my family and I popped into Chris's for a kebab; the best part was them remembering our names after 10 years. Is there still a pizza restaurant just before Polis, that was very nice. The best place for a meze was arivano??? Gardens in Limassol.

Marly Lite 28th Feb 2013 00:57

Those in the know went to Michael's in Erimi, a short 5 min taxi hop from the Strip, so good, many of the local villagers went.

Many happy memories...

gayford 28th Feb 2013 02:02

The Italian Restaurant is called Il Gusto and is well worth a visit. Their Creme Brule is to die for !!

just another jocky 28th Feb 2013 05:11


Originally Posted by gayford
Their Creme Brule is to die for !!

Weren't they that famous 70's pop band? :}

OldAgeandTreachery 28th Feb 2013 05:52

Thanks to all. The memory fug is clearing and I can remember Polis as a nice place to eat. I'm planning a visit tonight. Thing is: I don't think I've ever eaten one fully sober. I'm driving from Paphos so no option, could be interesting.
Hoping for a quiet meal, wouldn't want those drunken RAF types on a night out!
Singing,insulting staff,setting fire to their faces and arguing over a couple of euros. Tsk Tsk.

Clicked on the link to the older thread and yes, Beagle has it spot on with his description.

salad-dodger 28th Feb 2013 08:00

Some of you seem to be forgetting the excellent food served at the exclusive Shalimar restaurant :uhoh:

Seriously though, I always found that the best kebabs were to be had at The Swan. Good food, good service and plenty of Kokkinelli. Had my first one there for the grand price C£2.50 in 1987. The usual special group deal negotiated for a 'first night kebab' including as much Kokkers as we could drink.

If you wanted something a bit more 'upmarket' (it's all relative), then you went to Sylvanna's or Polis. Chris kebab okay if you had a large group. He had a bus, would sit your party outside and tolerate the carnage that often ensued.

S-D

Motleycallsign 28th Feb 2013 08:41

Polis was always my preferred taverna, excellent traditional kebab, help yourself salad bar (no having to keep asking for more) Kokkinelli, and in the winter a good old log fire to stay warm by. Not to mention the super friendly service.

Peter Carter 28th Feb 2013 08:55

Does a kebab, including unlimited Kokkinelli, cost more than ten bob now?
Outrageous.
Has anyone else had a demijohn cork ricochet round the cockpit at 40K?

27mm 28th Feb 2013 08:59

How does anyone remember which kebab house they went to? :O

claron 28th Feb 2013 09:07

Wasn't there one called the Birds nest? The memory is a little clouded as it has been 30 yrs since I last fell in the storm ditches crawling back from the Pen club.

5aday 28th Feb 2013 09:20

In Lim from early 70s visiting Akrotiri on 203 sqn (to
collect what seemed like tons of butter from the NAAFI:
Halil's, The Britannia, and Niazzis ?
spelling may be wrong but the headaches were real. Once I woke up in another country (Oman).

Rocket2 28th Feb 2013 09:27

The Eagles Nest at Eppi?:ok:

Ali Qadoo 28th Feb 2013 09:43

The Avenida Famagusta was good for a couth night out. For a non-couth night out, nothing can touch Pambos Best Food, assuming it's still in business.

salad-dodger 28th Feb 2013 09:45


Wasn't there one called the Birds nest?
The Birds Nest was a decent steak house below the Akrotiri Arms bar. The latter being the scene of many very raucous table football tournaments. Amazing what several weeks in the sun drives you too!

S-D

ricardian 28th Feb 2013 11:46

No doubt Big Arif's and Little Arif's are long gone (last visited in 1967)

Duchess_Driver 28th Feb 2013 11:57


5 min taxi hop
Taking your life insurance policy with you IIRC!

:ok:

Canadian Break 28th Feb 2013 12:33

Eateries
 
OAT; if you have got wheels then get yourself up to the Phini Tavern, which is, surprisingly enough, in Phini Village. Ring before you go to make sure he is open - he only opens from about March to September if I remember correctly. When I was at 280SU and living half way up (or down) the mountain we used to eat there a couple of times a week - never had a better steak anywhere in the world. The owner/chef is a chasp named August! Go up from Limassol towards Platres but after going through Trimiklini turn left and go through Kato Platres and on to Phini. Enjoy chap. CB
PS: think this is the phone number but check it. 25421828:ok:

Flatiron 28th Feb 2013 13:36

GREEN GROTTO
 
I don't suppose the Green Grot is still functioning down in Heroes Square, Limassol. That was the place for visiting V-force mates whereas the relatively elderly Britannia crowd inhabited a joint on the ringroad. The Green Grot had a bevy of Egyptian ladies as 'entertainment' and I recall a loud cry of "£10, that's outrageous" from OC Ops on the dance floor. That said, it was a very honest place. A Victor captain lost his aircrew watch in the taxi back to Akrotiti and the cab driver brought it back to him the following morning. Happy days!

Genstabler 28th Feb 2013 14:38

Il Gusto is fabulous if you want to flog all the way over from Paphos to Akrotiri for old times sake. Personally I would stop half way at Pissouri Beach where there are many excellent tavernas and lovely surroundings too.

Dominator2 28th Feb 2013 15:10

Is the Bunch of Grapes at Pissouri still open. We first went when they opened in 1978 and it was a great day out. In those days there was nothing at Pissouri Beach so you could have a few hours on the beach and then the Bunch of Grapes until bed time! I do recall that they had a mad chef for a while in the earley 80s who now and then intimidated the guests with a meat cleaver.
Any updates from any one?

Courtney Mil 28th Feb 2013 16:00

It was still there a few weeks ago...

Bunch of Grapes Restaurant Reviews, Pissouri, Cyprus - TripAdvisor

Genstabler 28th Feb 2013 16:46

The Bunch of Grapes has declined somewhat in the last few years. I reckon the best restaurant experience in Pissouri is Perry's Restaurant, down near the beach. Look it up in Trip Advisor.

Marly Lite 28th Feb 2013 22:09

Duchess,

Absolutely, be prepared to intervene on the wheel after midnight! Saved my bacon once. Taxi driver had probably done a 20 hr shift!

juliet 28th Feb 2013 23:05

Dont know how any of you can remember all of this detail, surely you weren't going for a kebab sober??!!??

My favourite one was a walk from the guardhouse (having been dropped off by MT) through some little streets. Felt like it was in the middle of all the local houses. Pretty sure we went to the left, ie away from the water. There was definitely a self serve salad bar. Was that Polis?

Never went there sober, and after plastic water bottles of Kokkinelli, and then that liquor they kept in the freezer at the back (Sylvana?) I was always very reliant on the GE to carry my young co pilot self home. Invariably they did!!

Juliet

gayford 1st Mar 2013 05:21

Pissouri Beach is a beautiful spot, the ONLY place to eat is "Limanaki". IMHO it is way ahead of the competition but you may need to book. The Bunch of Grapes is not what it was in the good old days.

gayford 1st Mar 2013 05:35

Thread creep I know, but if you want the best authentic meze in the Limassol area go to Forsos Tavern at Moutagakia village. The service is pretty rushed when they are really busy but the meat is the best.

kweelo 1st Mar 2013 17:46

Can definitely endorse Canadian Break's recommendation - my ex worked at the 'Phini Tav' for 2 years (90-92) Augustus was legendary and I enjoyed many a night of his hospitality and witnessed him and his Mother having many a spat! Which was always great entertainment.

Loved the 'Bunch of the Grapes' way back when and was always fun trying to find your way into the village by following the grapes on the water storage tanks on the roofs.

As for the Akrotiri strip, we were always warned off as there were various rumours of the meat being collected 'fresh' that day! However, during Ellamy couple of years ago we went to Chris's kebab and have to admit after 3-4 courses I gave up - never eat the bread and fill-up on salad, it spoils things later on!!!

My favourite, I'm sorry I can't remember it's name was a fantastic Kebab House on the way to Yermasoyia Dam. As you went into the village, there was a fork - left, kebab house, right, up to towards the dam - Brit style pub, watch footie, drink beer and then back down to said kebab house!!!

Cyprus - happy memories, great people - need a separate thread for 'Happy Valley.' Anyone there for the 84 Sqn Caps demo 90-91, when they decided to set fire to the bondu when they set the flare off!!

smujsmith 1st Mar 2013 19:20

Did a tour at Akrotiri 73 - 75, and we always eat at Halils in St Andrews Street. Not far away was Paul's Wines. He was a Swiss Expat, had wine from all over the island and sold them by the Demi John, after a suitable, generous sampling. Rumour had it that there was a brothel above his wine place, although I would never know :\

Canadian Break 1st Mar 2013 21:27

Halil's
 
Halil now has (and has had for a long time) a restaurant north side in Kyrenia harbour right on the waterfront.

smujsmith 1st Mar 2013 21:50

CB,

Thanks for that. I was on holiday in Kyrenia when the Coup happened. Remember the harbour and its bars well. Of course it makes sense that Halils went "oop north" after the invasion because St Andrews street was the heart of Turkish Limmasol. And also Kebab is a Turkish meal !!!!

ExAdvert 2nd Mar 2013 07:28

Went to the Bunch of Grapes 4 years ago as a Worthless Civilian on holiday with my other half.....

We were the last people dining al fresco in the courtyard that night when a couple of local cats started getting it on rather vocally on top of the 10ft wall in front of us. When the owner/ manager came outside to see what all the racket was, I pointed to the cats & made the "International gesture for shooting copulating felines".

He went inside & moments later reappeared with an air rifle, proceeded to shoot one of the cats "in flagrante", smile, bow & disappear again.

I felt guilty. For a minute or two.....

BEagle 2nd Mar 2013 07:42


He went inside & moments later reappeared with an air rifle, proceeded to shoot one of the cats "in flagrante", smile, bow & disappear again.
No doubt the menu had an interesting new item the following day?

Poor moggie - but at least it went to its maker with a smile on its little face!

5aday 2nd Mar 2013 07:49

Can any one remember an ex Chief Tech/Flight Sergeant who opened an eatery
In kyrenia. I have a name going around in my head and I think it was called Chesters or something similar. This was pre invasion and my last trip to Kyrenia
was 1968 on a Hastings out of Lyndholme.
Dave M

Motleycallsign 2nd Mar 2013 18:31

Juliet, sounds like you're describing the Polis to me, always went there sober but often not so on coming out, taking 'back-route' (through gardens) to the Akki Arms, then sober again arriving at the block after walking back.

Canadian Break 2nd Mar 2013 19:15

Halils
 
Smujsmith
We used to go to Halil's a couple of times a month. We would take apples from the orchard of the house I was living in (for some reason they couldn't grow them northside) and Halil provided lunch for me, Mrs CB and the two young CB ettes - always refusing payment - it was quite embarrasing really. On one occasion he joined us and was obviously feeling "mellow"; he recounted how he had a very softspot for the RAF - apparently after the "nastiness" with Turkey he was imprisoned in Limassol, subsequently "sprung" by people/peoples unknown and flown north in an RAF heliocopitre. Sounds all a bit far-fetched to me but I suppose stranger things have happened. Perhaps some Pruners have more knowledge of this incident?CV:ok:


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