Lifestyle: Restaurant review – El Greco, Stratford-upon-Avon
TAKING advantage of the new direct Solihull-Stratford rail link, I loaded the family onto the rattler and we headed off to the Bard’s birthplace for shopping-based fun during the festive period.
But of course there’s only so much shopping you can do before the old belly starts rumbling and we started looking for a suitable destination for lunch.
But whilst Stratford has plenty to offer on this front, when you have a six year old and a not yet two year old in tow the choice becomes a bit more limited – especially given that everywhere was packed with people enjoying a pre-Christmas tipple and a bit of tucker.
But you can always rely on Mediterranean (or Aegean)-type restaurants to welcome kids with open arms and this was certainly the case at Greek restaurant El Greco which can be found in Rother Street.
The little one was asleep anyway but the bigger one was sat on a cushioned window seat and given crayons and colouring material to entertain her. She was provided with surprise treats throughout her stay and enjoyed more head patting and cheek chucking than the average golden retriever on a long walk. As did the little one when he woke up.
Why Mediterranean restaurants see children as a blessing when British ones still too often see them as a burden remains one of the mysteries of life.
Anyway, kids settled we could concentrate on the food.
We chose from the Greek meze part of the menu – mezzedakia – and chose a number of starter-sized plates to share. Remembering great meals we had had whilst on holiday, we greedily started ordering.
We plumped for deliciously tasty kalamari (deep fried squid), that lovely, tender beef stew stifado, chicken souvlaki (kebab), keftedes (meat balls), dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and the yoghurt and cucumber dip tzatziki. It came with beautifully fresh (and warm) bread and we washed it down with a very acceptable bottle of the house white.
Six dishes between two people (with reasonably healthy appetites) was just right and we savoured every mouthful of a gorgeous Mediterranean feast whilst looking through the windows at shoppers wrapped up against the cold.
My daughter was delighted with her chunky chicken and chips (cleverly using the chicken from the souvlaki) while, fresh from his kip, the Fresh Prince of Solihull helped us polish off a plate of gooey and delightful baklava.
It almost goes without saying in a Greek restaurant that the service was superb and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier.
And it was very good value. Our bill was only around £45.
We will certainly return as a family but it’s worth mentioning that this is a big restaurant so it is well worth considering if you’re going out as part of a large group.
Recommended.
