Fine dining in the middle of nowhere.
If you find yourself in Sifnos, visiting Cantina is a must. A relatively new entry in the island’s restaurant scene, it is a venture by molecular biologist-turned-chef Giorgos Samoilis – a local culinary celebrity and former head chef of the legendary Omega3 restaurant.
Dinner here was a priority item on our to do list.
Location | Space
Somewhere between derelict and contrived trendy, this place is a) different to your average fine dining establishment and b) impossible not to strike a cord. Situated in the middle of nowhere, overlooking the sea and underneath endless blue skies, it gets full marks for location. The restaurant is absolutely basic: the building features zero interior design (and minimal exterior for that matter) but there is an air of suggested luxury nonetheless. Various thoughtful details (earthenware, utensils, linen etc) and the raw surrounding nature contribute to the feeling of wellness. Access is via a 99 step anomalous path – Cantina makes you work for it but this just contributes to the experience.
Philosophy
Locally sourced and bred, ethically-caught, cage-free, zero waste and overall sustainable – that’s the philosophy of Cantina, and we like it.
Dinner is booked in 2 ½ hours sessions and all dishes are meant to be shared. It seems that this causes distress to some visitors but it is the regular way of eating for us so we were only happy.
We found the service to be very agreeable. Despite a full house we were attended to the point of feeling special, which amplified the overall satisfaction.
How much?
Dinner for 2 cost 233,20€ (including 98€ in drinks). Not exactly affordable but within the normal (to low) spectrum of high end dining. One obviously can skip the expensive wine and lobster – there are several friendlier options on offer.
Here is what we had ⇩
The Verdict
Cantina was one of the Sifnos highlights and I completely recommend it.
Visiting is an immersive experience. You don’t come here just for the food (which is without a doubt good), rather it is a holistic affair involving all senses. The beautiful surroundings, the calming views, the raw serenity of nature and its aromas. The light changing as the evening proceeds. A sense of conspiracy with fellow diners, seated far enough to give you privacy yet close enough to inspire privileged togetherness. Absolutely worth it.
Pro Tip: Make sure you book (well) in advance.
Cantina, Restaurant, Seralia Kastro Sifnos, Greece.
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All images © The Real Queen of Stuff (& guest posting by (r) kudos )
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