My friend Sofia’s phone call is always accompanied by a good suggestion for a date. This time, it was late September, and we hadn’t even done the classic catch up after the holidays. So, what could be better than meeting up in Glyfada, where regardless of the season, it’s always summer? Something like California. Laid-back teenagers with roller skates mingle with blonde, tanned beauties and reality TV socialites who hang out with businessmen. Expensive outfits appear in the shop windows and expensive, well-polished cars line the streets. It’s as if a different wind is blowing here.
Sofia’s suggestion this time was the brand new Vibo, which opened on September 27 and is a very classy aperitivo spot. With a name that comes from Vitae bonna (good life), it borrows its finesse from neighboring Italy, but loves Greek products. Everything, from coffee beans to cold cuts and raw materials come from small producers.
Behind the project is the experienced and down-to-earth Nikos Skrempos (co-owner of Hytra) and the talented Panagiotis Frangos (bar tender of “Hytra”), who created this aristocratic bistrot that resembles the lounge of a luxury yacht.
The eye falls directly on the custom-made ceiling inspired by patterns of ancient Greek vases, on the bar with green forest marble and on the refined shades of pink, petrol, beige and brown that enhance the feeling of restoration. Architect Amalia Pontika undertook to implement the aesthetic part and the result truly makes the eyes of those passing by Grigoriou Lambraki turn in admiration.
The tables set up on the wide pedestrian street are perfectly in line with the necessary social distancing measures, and we, arriving early before 8.00, along with the first sip of the wonderful Viogner “Agios Chronos” from the Avantis estate, had the time to observe the rhythms of the beautiful capital of the south, which conveyed to us a refreshing mood in the unclear moments of the new normality we are experiencing.
I want to focus on the impressive wine list that, through a selection of 120 labels, manages to satisfy both wine connoisseurs and beginners, with indigenous and international varieties from Greek wineries covering Crete, Macedonia, Peloponnese and Santorini, as well as very interesting labels from the international vineyard. Emphasis is also given to the appetitivos with very interesting blends of Greek wines.
Small miracles occur on the small but carefully designed menu, with dishes that balance the delicate play of flavors and pleasantly surprise.
The bonito tacos smell of sea freshness, the rib eye bruschetta with fantastic bread with pumpkin seeds, pickles and horseradish sauce has already become a best seller, the excellent vine leaf sushi is the postmodern version of the classic dolma, while the marinated sea bass with spearmint and grapes is another must. Among the more comfort options, the meatballs with smoked eggplant and matured feta and the ladenia with wholemeal dough made from Zea wheat, homemade tomato sauce and 4-month-aged bresaola stand out.
In the dessert department, the collaboration with Bon Bon Kritonas Poulis, known for his previous work alongside the famous patissier Pierre Hermé in Paris, is summarized in two wonderful options: a cake made of Aegina pistachios with cinnamon-flavored cream and baked apple that goes very well with coffee, and a crispy chocolate ball with roasted almonds that closes the dinner in a fitting way.
Vibo opens from 8.00 a.m. with breakfasts, bars of their own production, organic eggs and healthy suggestions such as Mytilene Adali yogurt with jam, granola, honey and quince paste.
Info: Gr. Lambraki 16, Glyfada, tel. 210 894 8202
