Welcome Yannis Baxevanis, our well known Consultant Chef here in Elia, has been passionately working for many years in making Cretan cuisine known to people from all walks of life. As an award winning Chef in Greece and abroad, he has been renowned as Status Magazine’s Chef of the year, and as the 2006 Global Gastronomy Academy’s Chef of the Future. Years of practice and expertise has led him to receive multiple awards in the scope of Greek cuisine.

Chef Baxevanis, in turn, presents the great cook of Crete, Kalliopi Kourkoutaki, his golden coat as he calls her, bring you closer to the most cherished Cretan tradition.

Cretan cuisine is the basis, beginning and end of the so-called Mediterranean cuisine. In Crete, scientific research has been carried out to find out the reason why they had the fewest heart disease problems.

Therefore, Cretan cuisine is considered to be among the healthiest diets in the world. The Cretan cuisine is mostly comprised of the wild greens from the mountains, Cretan Olive Oil, pulses and cereals, fish and herbs as well as lemons where antioxidants are mostly found.

As you go along, you will find herbs that are being currently used in our recipes. These herbs can be traced back from the recipes since ancient times, and was used as medicines by the great ancestors.

1 Our Daily Specials “Caprice du Chef” Let our Chef bring you through a gastronomic experience that offers small bites chosen from our newly updated menu.

“Clay pot of the day with the traditional recipe of Crete” Daily prepared by our chef Kalliopi Kourkoutaki.

Soup

Fisher Man Soup freshly made of the combination of fish & seafood, lemon & olive oil(a,d) 65 Dhs

Starters

Tzatziki Dip made of Greek yoghurt, garlic, dill & extra virgin olive oil (v,d) 25 Dhs

Tyrokafteri our own spicy Feta Greek cheese dip (v,d) 34 Dhs Taramosalata Fish Roe with extra virgin olive oil and lemon 34 Dhs

Tomatokeftes from Santorini Island with diced fresh tomato & fine herbs(v) 28 Dhs

Fried Cypriot Halloumi served with spicy & savory marmalade with apple & raisin (v,d) 45 Dhs Haroupopita Traditional Cretan Pie made from carob dough with feta, anari & Graviera cheese (v,d) 45 Dhs

Cheese Saganaki Oven baked metsovone smoked cheese from Epirus & fresh tomato sauce (v,d) 70 Dhs

Chicken Tigania our interpretation on a classic made with lemon & cumin (a) 65 Dhs

Hortopita Wild Green Pie from Crete Island with Mizithra cheese & herbs (v,d) 28 Dhs

Dolmadakia Cretan vine leaves stuffed with rice & herbs served with light yoghurt(v,d) 43 Dhs Patates Tiganites fried potatoes made our own way with Feta cheese, oregano & sea salt (v,d) 23 Dhs

Grilled Calamari stuffed with Graviera cheese, Greek fennel & tomato confit(d) 47 Dhs

Htapodi Grilled Octopus with fava from Santorini Island, tomato, onion, olive oil & oregano (a) 85 Dhs

Cod Scordalia deep fried cod served with Skordalia and wild greens & herbs (a) 70 Dhs

Keftedakia, traditional beef meatballs accompanied with red capsicum sauce, yoghurt & mint (d) 49 Dhs

Fried Calamari with traditional eggplant salad and pickled purslane (v) 40 Dhs Kavourmas slow cooked beef & lamb from Macedonia with potato chips, crispy fried egg & red capsicum paste (d) 60 Dhs

We are allergen aware. If you suffer from any allergy please notify the service staff. Alcohol: (a), Dairy: (d), Vegetarian: (v), Nuts: (n) All prices are inclusive of 10% municipality fee, 10% service charge and 5% value-added tax (VAT) Salads Greek Salad with tomato, cucumber, onion, capsicums, Kalamata olives & fine herbs, served with authentic barreled Greek Feta cheese (v,d) 46 Dhs

Fasolakia refreshing green beans salad with Feta cheese, tomato vinaigrette & Lapatha (v,d) 48 Dhs Roka Salad with kataifi, Mizithra cheese, figs vinaigrette, strawberries & olive oil-lemon sorbet (v,d) 55 Dhs

Cretan Salad flavored fresh herbs with Mizithra sour cheese, watercress & pulses(v,d) 45 Dhs Dakos Salad with Cretan homemade barley rusk, fresh grated tomato, Feta cheese, extra virgin olive oiland oregano (v,d) 43 Dhs Loukouma Feta’s made our own way with mustard leaves & herbs accompanied by red capsicum ice cream from Florina (v,d) 60 Dhs

Our Bread

Pita Bread traditional homemade served with oregano & extra virgin olive oil (a, v) 6 Dhs

Main Courses

Chestnut and Mushroom Stifado stew with rosemary,bulgur & vegetables (v) 67 Dhs Greek Raviola homemade, stuffed with smoked Metsovone & Graviera cheese served with creamy mushroom sauce (v,d) 79 Dhs

Gemista stuffed tomato & capsicum with rice, zucchini with bulgur, herbs, & Feta cheese(v,d) 65 Dhs

Seafood Giouvetsi orzo pasta cooked with shrimps, calamari, mussels & fresh tomato (a,d) 85 Dhs

Astakos Me Makakarounes fresh lobster with homemade Cretan pasta & seafood crust (d) 140 Dhs Smoked Sea Bass served on a creamy risotto with wild artichokes topped with flavors from the sea (d) 93 Dhs Mediterranean Bream with aromatic wild greens & artichokes, tsigariasta in fennel sauce 122 Dhs

Mousaka made with minced beef & lamb, eggplant, topped with béchamel sauce (d) 79 Dhs

Grilled Chicken Souvlaki served with fried potatoes, homemade pita bread & tzatziki (d) 72 Dhs Charcoal Grilled Chicken fine chopped chicken tight served with baked tomato, onion, pita bread, fresh herbs & garlic sauce (d) 72 Dhs Greek Style Mix Grill a combination of chicken souvlaki, lamb chops & beef bifteki with fava with orange dressing, tzatziki, wild green salad & potatoes on the charcoal (d) 250 Dhs Trilogia Arniou a trilogy of lamb with Cretan wild greens, mini moussaka with artichoke & lamb chop with artichoke puree (d,a) 125 Dhs

Short Ribs slow cooked with authentic Greek Magiri pasta & Fagopiro (a,d) 132 Dhs

Rib Eye Grilled served with smoked leek puree, vegetables & olive oil (d) 120 Dhs Arnisio Kotsi slow cooked lamb shank accompanied with vegetable stew & “Kurkubinia” a combination of Greek cheese (d,a) 105 Dhs Kotopoulo Smoked Chicken with sage and homemade chicken sausage served with potato puree, Graviera cheese and lemon sauce & vegetables (d,a) 85 Dhs

We are allergen aware. If you suffer from any allergy please notify the service staff. Alcohol: (a), Dairy: (d), Vegetarian: (v), Nuts: (n) All prices are inclusive of 10% municipality fee, 10% service charge and 5% value-added tax (VAT) Desserts

Parfait of Yoghurt with pasteli from Greek honey (d,n) 30 Dhs

Galaktoboureko traditional dessert in filo pastry, custard, fresh milk & vanilla (d) 43 Dhs

Coffee Lovers served with cream patisserie & sauce of Greek coffee(a,d) 45 Dhs Loukoumades traditional sweet dumplings with honey, walnuts & cinnamon served with vanilla & Mastiha ice cream (d,n) 33 Dhs

Chocolate Lava with hazelnut ice cream (d,n) 45 Dhs

Nerati Cretan authentic pie with sour cheese, honey and cinnamon (v,d) 30 Dhs We are allergen aware. If you suffer from any allergy please notify the service staff. Alcohol: (a), Dairy: (d), Vegetarian: (v), Nuts: (n) All prices are inclusive of 10% municipality fee, 10% service charge and 5% value-added tax (VAT)

We will present you the herbs and herbs that have been used as medicines since ancient times, which you will find in our recipes

Blita-Amaranthus: A source of vitamins C, A, K, B6 Lemoni-Lemon: It creates alkaline bases in body fluids, (to stimulate the body), potassium, calcium (they help is rich in vitamin C, stimulates the liver and cleanses the in digestion, have fiber, shed sugar, are rich in iron, intestine, dissolves intestinal worms and has antibacterial help in pressure and cardiovascular problems) properties. It is the only food that gives cellular energy.

Eleolado - Olive oil: In addition to being Matzourana-Marjoram: Also known as sedative. It an antioxidant, it reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) relieves the stomach, helps in colds and has antitussive and increases HDL (good cholesterol). It has anti- properties inflammatory properties that are beneficial in conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Helps reduce Melissa: a member of the mint family, is helpful with acidity and treat Alzheimer's disease. Olive oil is added cholesterol, serves as a tranquilizer, an anti-oxidant. It is to many skin care products because it improves its anti-anabolic and also helps in digestion elasticity and prevents wrinkles and dry skin. Melissohorto-Lemon Balm: It has vitamins A, B, C, Fagopiros - Buckwheat: The black wheat. It D, E, F, K, P and was used in antiquity as a medicine to contains many plant proteins, vitamins B, B2, B3, E, K. fight inflammation, heart problems, stomach upsets, pain It has fiber, helps in cholesterol, heart, has magnesium, and fever. helps in sugar and blood. Radikia & Vrouves-Dandelion-Grouse: Contains Faskomilo-Sage: It was used for medicine from Sodium, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamins C, A, B, B2. ancient Greece, it is antioxidant, it helps Alzheimer, it It was used for the treatment of liver and bile. Protects the helps to lower cholesterol and reduce blood glucose. heart, cleanses the blood and helps diabetics

Glistrida-Andrachne: Herbs with great nutritional Rigani-Oregano: It is a medicinal plant for the value, helps anemia and generally heart problems. It is stomach, cleanses the intestines, is antitoxic, is considered as an antioxidant, good for the stomach and recommended for colds and as a drink after every meal for digestion. better digestion and cleansing of the stomach and intestine by toxins Harupi-Carob: Save the Greeks in possession. Great nutritional value, contains calcium that is instantly Thimari-Thyme: It is good everywhere throughout the absorbed by the body. The best for children, pregnant body. It is used at a cost in the pharmaceutical industry. and elderly. Protein-free, fiber-rich source of protein The oldest and most reliable herb in the world at all times. and helps reduce cholesterol. It gives iron in the body, cleanses the digestive system, antioxidant, relieves cough, helps in sight, blood pressure, strengthens bones and closes wounds.