Ziziki's Restaurant

Eros Calling: Valentine's Day Special Dining

2012-01-24T12:45:00.000-08:00

How will you show your love this Valentine’s Day? Eros is calling you to Ziziki's - for a special Valentine's Day dining experience.

We'll also be offering an exclusive optional menu at Ziziki's Taverna as well. The food is just divine... enough to make you fall in love each new dish you try.

ZIZIKI'S: Join us with the one you love for Valentine's Day dining for a special three-course menu that includes an appetizer platter plus your choice of a salad and entree for only $49.00 per person!

You can enjoy this special menu in addition to our regular menu the entire week before Valentine' Day.

And - at Zizik's Tavis Walk and Preston/Forest - you can enjoy our featured wine, Marimar Pinot Noir & Chardonnay: glass...$12 - bottle...$45

ZIZIKI'S TAVERNA:

It's a superior value and an exceptional dining experience - join us for an optional special Valentine's Day menu at Ziziki's Taverna at Addison Walk.

Start with your choice of Mezze

Dolmades
Gigantes Beans
Artichoke Dip
Cast Iron Squash
Eggplant Dip
Cast Iron Potatoes
Hipiti Dip
Calamari
Spinach Tiropitas
Keftedes

Greek Salad

End with your choice of our Specialty Entree

Sliced Leg of Lamb Gyro
Breek Burger
Chicken Souvlaki
Lamb Souvlaki
Salmon Soulaki
Papou’s Parpadella Pasta
Chicken Volos
Crespella Taverna

$30 / Person (does not include tax or gratuity)

Add a bottle of your favorite wine for an additional $20

After dinner, sip some wine and relax, or enjoy a cup coffee and possibly some of Costa's award-winning Baklava Ice Cream Cake or a warm piece of Chocolate Liquor cake.

Ziziki's Lakeside Market Named One Of Plano Profile's "Best Eats"

2012-01-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

Every year, the folks at Plano Profile survey their readers to find out where the best eats are in Collin County. Nowadays, the selection of restaurants in Plano, Allen, Frisco and McKinney is huge - and the talent pool is deep with high-end heavy-hitters like Bob's Steak and Chop House, Nicola's and Jaspers. But we're proud to say that we made the list last year - for BEST GREEK.

We're thrilled to be on the list of local reader faves - it's Costa's tried and true recipes, our atmosphere (have you seen our uber-cool deck and patio?) and the magic that is Greek cuisine.

OPA!

Ringing In New Year GREEK STYLE

2011-12-30T11:25:00.000-08:00

If you're in Greece on New Year's Eve - you can expect much of the same activities that we are used to here in the United States - parties, festivities, celebrations - and people out late welcoming the new, and letting go of the old.

There's card playing, fireworks, children playing in sleepy streets - and of course - eats and drinks (Greek food, of course - OPA!) at local night spots - until sunrise.

Of course, Greece has it's own traditions - such as the 'cutting of the vasilopita - which is a kind of 'New Year cake'. The cake is prepared with a coin inside, cut at the midnight hour as the new year dawns, and the lucky one who gets the piece with the coin inside is said to have blessings in the New Year. The cake itself has huge meaning. Cut by the patriarch of the home, the first piece of the cake is for Christ, the second for the 'home' - and then, everyone else gets their piece.

Start your own tradition by joining Ziziki's or Ziziki's Taverna for New Year's Eve or our award-winning champagne brunch on New Year's Day! For all our menus, seating times and holiday hours - visit our website! OPA!

Ziziki's Named Top 100 Best Greek Restaurants in United States by National Herald

2011-12-22T04:28:00.000-08:00

Here in the big D, we take special care to bring Greek cuisine to the states in a very authentic way; with Ya Ya's old recipes and Chef Costa's award-winning culinary skills - Ziziki's delivers a delightful mix of traditionally fine-tuned family favorites. We also work hard to keep a great selection of Greek wines and others in our Dallas Wine Bars for our customers to enjoy with their meals, or otherwise. Opa!

For us, Greek dining is a way of life - to celebrate life, and to celebrate our heritage. The National Herald (Greek news) took the time to interview restaurant owners, try the wines and mezzes, and then pare down the Top 100 best Greek Restaurants in the country, and list them state by state.

We're thrilled to have been recognized as Top 100 - click here for the full article!

Ring in the New Year With Ziziki's - Special Dining Menu

2011-12-14T05:04:00.000-08:00

Ziziki’s is offering a special three course New Year’s Eve Dinner on Saturday, December 31st along with our award winning wine list. Also, on Sunday, January 1st Ziziki’s will offer their flavorful “Best of Dallas” New Year's Eve champagne buffet brunch.

NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER:
The three course New Year’s Eve dinner is $55 per person (tax and tip not included).

Reservations accepted for any size party at three seatings: 6PM, 8PM and 10PM.

The MENU
APPETIZER PLATTER
A sampling of our chef’s favorite appetizers

SALAD
Your choice of Greek Salad, Mediterranean Salad or Caprese Salad

ENTRÉE
Your choice from your favorite Ziziki’s specialities including:

Greek Paella
Grilled Rack of Lamb
Mediterranean Lamb Shank

NEW YEAR'S DAY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH
Ziziki’s will feature our flavorful “Best of Dallas” champagne brunch buffet for $21.95 per person until 3PM and then the dinner menu after 4PM.

Make Ziziki’s your ritual!

Ziziki's Nominated - WFAA-List Best Of Dallas BRUNCH

2011-12-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

Bring out the CHAMPAGNE, it's time to celebrate! We're thrilled to have been nominated for WFAA-LIst Best of Dallas - in the category of BEST BRUNCH! This is We need your help, though - and your VOTE, and your friend's votes - to keep us in the game. We're looking for a win this year, help us this holiday with your vote to pull off 1st place!

Thank you to all of our supporters for this nomination, and for being loyal customers for all of these years!

And look soon for information on our exclusive New Year's Eve Dinner menu and Champagne Brunch for New Year's Day! OPA!

Click here to VOTE NOW!

OPA! Greek Holiday Style

2011-11-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

As the holidays are steadily approaching, we reminisce on what we are thankful of, celebrate family and friends and spend time making memories with loved ones. With every holiday comes special traditions and celebrations, holiday meals - that almost always are specific by culture and family. Greek holidays are unique and exciting!

Many Greek Orthodox (and Catholic, or Episcopalian) churches have a particular saint that they honor in a festival and religious service. In Greece, a panagiri, or large feast & festival, occurs when a city or village celebrates religious people with the same name as the saint being honored. Many festivals are held on high points of elevation, or at a monastery. There are several of these through the holiday season. There are small herding villages and larger townships, such as Kozani, who specifically honor the shepherds that lit the bonfires in announcement of Christ's birth. Known as the Kladaries, there is an entire ceremony around this commemoration. Attendees can expect bonfire dancing, Greek dining, Greek wine and celebration - and the event is usually celebrated on the 23rd of December.

Greek Food plays a major role in Greek celebrations. While traditional stuffed turkey is always popular, most holidays have specific traditions and dishes. The slicing of vassilopita, or New Years Cake, is a desert specific to the Feast of St. Basil on January 1st. Later in the year, on Easter, a common Greek entrée served in celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection is lamb.

While enjoying family and friends this holiday season – keep in mind that Ziziki’s also offers holiday catering for your event, or private dining if you prefer to dine with a private corporate party or your family. Opa!

Throwing a Wedding - Greek Style

2011-11-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a hilarious account of the planning of a Greek wedding and the culture, traditions (and people) that celebrate them. Greek weddings can be considered art…and in fact, are often called “wedding art”.

Greek weddings are often very different than traditional weddings; one of the most obvious ways being the color of the brides dress. In traditional Greek weddings, the bride wears a yellow or red veil that represents the fire that will protect the bridge from evil spirits. Often times the bride will carry a lump of sugar in her possession to ensure that she will life a sweet life with her future spouse.

Ever seen the group dance in a circle? The kalamatiano is a dance that occurs with the entire bridal party. They all join hands and skip in a circle, similar to Jewish weddings.

Of course, you already know that Greek cuisine is a delicious form of art. But Greek food at a wedding - serious OPA-factor. Candy-coated Jordan almonds, bread and cakes are all enjoyable dishes for Greek weddings. The food is the highlight of the celebration with Feta Cheese, Kalamta olives and tomatoes. Tzatziki is the perfect start to the festivities which includes a special blended yogurt dip with cucumbers, crushed garlic and vinegar garnished with a blend of almonds. It is normally eaten with Pita Bread. You must have the famous Greek Baklava at your Greek Wedding. The several layered pastry is filled with nuts and honey syrup.

When planning your special Greek Wedding (or any event, Greek or not!) keep ZiZiki’s in mind for the perfect event catering needs.

It Must Be Fate: FETA Cheese and the Greek Atmosphere

2011-10-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Not only is Feta cheese an incredible treat in Greek cooking - it's a wonderful accent to several dishes here in the U.S. (like a scrumptious breakfast omelet!)

Feta Cheese is also a product that has been around since the Byzantine Empire - so there is a lot of history behind this cheese we all love. When a visitor entered the Byzantine-controlled region in 1494, he might have noticed that they sliced their cheese to serve on a plate. Even back then, before the individually-wrapped sorts from which we actually get the saying, Feta was quickly becoming the thing that would, to the Greeks - be "the best thing since sliced cheese"!

Feta is aged cheese and is produced in blocks for uses on Greek salads, pastries, breakfast Greek entrées and many other dishes and a real normal part of the Greek culture. It is often times combined with olive oil and vegetables to bring a rich and delicate flavor to the dish. Feta is used in 60% of Greek families in their everyday life and everyday food and a great mixture with homemade wine. (Would you like a little cheese with that wine?) OPA!

What separates feta cheese from the rest is that it is made of milk from sheep around the eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Feta is a great accent to Greek dishes because of the delicious pairings with olive oil, olives as well as the enrichment it can bring to Greek dishes!

Greek Yogurt - Not Just For GREEKS!!

2011-10-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Greek yogurt - it's all the rage! OPA! Many people are doing a lot of research on the difference between Greek yogurt and the yogurt we have been used to and eating for many years. Many thought that - well, yogurt was yogurt. Of course, if it's Greek food, it's better - right?

Why choose the Greek yogurt? The Greek Yogurt is somewhat different than the regular yogurt because it is strained. This “straining” process for yogurt started on the Crete Islands. Greek yogurt is thicker, creamier and has a completely different texture than other yogurts. There are no stabilizers used or added and no gelatin additions. So, Greek yogurt is more pure, if you will - than the processed yogurt products we're used to here in the States.

And here's the best benefit - Greek yogurt is full of protein (double the protein than the normal yogurt!) and is packed with probiotics. Greek yogurt is very low fat and healthy because it has B6, B12 and calcium.

Greek Yogurt is usually made from sheep milk and not from cow milk because the Greeks believe it gives the yogurt a better taste. In Greek cuisine, cow milk is used occasionally but not as often as sheep’s milk.

Greek yogurt is used in Tzatziki dip (which we're famous for, and use in our award-winning Greek salad and MORE... AND - where we get our name!) and can be served with fruits, nuts and honey. Raisins top off yogurt as a sweet treat and often used as a dessert! The Greek yogurt is a lovely Greek addition to your meals.

Join Our Travis Walk Location for ART OF KNOX

2011-10-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Join Ziziki's (Travis Walk in Uptown Dallas) for the

First Annual
Art of Knox
Street Festival
Saturday, October 22nd (4-8pm)

Tons of Knox/Henderson area retailers and restaurants are jumping in to host this festive occasion. There will be great food & drink, live music (from Live 80 and Special Edition Band) as well as cool, interactive art. Also look for special offers and promotions, raffles, prizes, games and more.

To learn more, visit KnoxDallas.com

FALL in Love With Greek Food

2011-09-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

In the coming weeks, the leaves will start changing to bright reds and oranges, and the season that brought incredible heat to the south and storms to the northeast will come to an end. The days of hot dogs at ballgames and hamburgers on the grill are slowly winding down, so try something new.... Go Greek!

The Greeks love to cook (OPA!) and make large use of several wonderful ingredients in their Fall Greek dishes - including the Mediterranean cuisine staple: olives and olive oil.

Olives are very important in Greek cuisine because of its roots to Greek history - and of course, it's dietary benefits. Ancient Greeks used to eat olives because they believe it was good for keeping their body healthy and full of life. Greek olive oil is also extremely tasty and smooth. It is often taken from privately owned pressing plans, the best come from Lesvos!

Another Fall favorite in Greece is Kalamarakia - or 'calamari', which is squid. Adding orange wedges, cumin, pasta or rice can seal the meal and add a delightful white wine (also known as kalamarakia krasata) is a family favorite.

Hmmm... What IS Hummus Anyway?

2011-09-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm..... hummus.. something we enjoy as an appetizer with small pieces of flatbread, or pita bread - has a great, rich flavor and is becoming more and more popular as a (somewhat) healthier alternative to other pre-meal nibbles or afternoon snacks. But WHAT is it? And most importantly, is it GREEK?

Turns out, not. It's a popular dish throughout the Middle East - and appears to have originated there too. But don't fret: the Pita bread we eat it with definitely IS! (The actual word being from Byzantine Greekπίτα meaning pie.) Opa!

Back to hummus.What's in it? Well, recipes vary by region and culture - but it's mostly cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with sesame seed paste (tahini), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. And what's best about it - is that it's a healthy alternative to so many other snacks. Why? Hummus has tons of vitamin C, iron, folate and vitamin B6. Being 'beany' - it's also chock-full of protein and fiber.

In Greece, it's typically served as part of a meze (appetizer or small plate) or as a side dish to grilled chicken, fish or eggplant.

Wine: An Ancient Gift From The Gods

2011-09-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

You would certainly know that the Greeks are completely and utterly responsible for the blessing of WINE; all kinds of wine!

Certainly, the Greeks are considered the creators of red, rosé and white wines - with the 'finest' wines being thought to have been from Thásos, Lesbos and Chios regions. The reputation of the wine, of course, depended heavily on the region it was produced. Less 'fine' and more 'in-the-homes' of the country folk was an atypical table wine made from water and the residue from squeezed grapes and lees.

Like ancient wine critics, the poets of the time wrote and sang, and passed tradition about their favorite wines, the flavors, the textures - and so, we're able to learn much from these texts.

Historically, most Greek wines were cut with water, because not doing so was believed to cause madness and even - death. This was a true attempt to monitor overuse and remain civilized while consuming wine. Undiluted wine, or akraton - and only believed to have been consumed by 'barbarians' in the northern regions of Europe.

Different variations of different types of wine had medicinal uses, Hippocrates having been quite successful in treating fevers and convalescence and even using wine as an antiseptic. Outside of these therapeutic uses, Greek society - for the most part - did not approve of women drinking wine; it is said that some Greek laws* actually restricted women to drinking water. Sparta was the only city where women routinely drank wine.

(*and as a sidenote, Ziziki's certainly does not approve of this ancient Greek law! NO-OPA-THERE!)

The Greeks were quite innovative in their methods for creating wine, from the process of crushing their grapes, to the experimental tests of producing a more-or-less acidic wine by harvesting premature grapes. Greek wine was often with honey and made 'medicinal' by adding thyme, pennyroyal and other herbs. No stone was left unturned when it came to testing new wine variants.

Dionysus, it is certain - is very proud. Visit us at Ziziki's to test and find your favorite from our exclusive selection of fine wines at one of our Dallas wine bar locations.

Lovin' Lamb

2011-08-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

At Zizikis’s, we stick to traditional Greek dining—which is why we love lamb! OPA!

Often there is a choice of lamb on the menu and many just overlook this mouthwatering delight for whatever reason. But it's a shame - because it's not only a traditional Greek favorite - it's one of Costa's many specialties.

Nearly 6% of Greek agriculture is comprised of sheep and goats. Now that there are improved breeding strategies and hygienic standards, lambs are perfect for those who are health-conscious and are willing to pay a little more for it. Since is has many benefits, lamb dishes are nearly a delicacy served on special occasions and in celebrations. Here is one great reason to give lamb a try:

Lamb is rich in vitamins! It's an incredible source of protein and meets over half of the daily protein requirement for adults. It is also rich in iron, making it quickly absorbed by the body.New studies reveal that the vitamin B3, found in lamb, protects against potential age-related illnesses and bone problems. Eating lamb can actually help you maintain strong bones and skin!

Next time you are at one of our Ziziki locations – try the Lamb skewered medallions or the stuffed Leg of Lamb gyro or possibly - our most delightful is the Stuff Lamb Loin.Visit us on Facebook.com or Twitter and let us know what you like best!

Going GREEK At School

2011-08-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon…..There has never been a more fitting time for GREEK things, than at the beginning of Greek Rush (also called Greek Week) at Colleges and Universities all across the country.

"Greek life" started the year that the United State declared their independence, 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. While there were Latin "clubs" at the time, Greek fraternities emerged and distinguished themselves as being exclusive from the other clubs on campus by utilizing the Greek alphabet to identify their 'chapters'. Certainly, to this day - there are fraternities and sororities that do not have Greek letter names at all - such as Skull and Bones at Yale, Acacia and Farmhouse.

The emergence of Greek organizations, later known as "fraternities" and "sororities", took hold of college life and began to establish itself on campuses all throughout the country! Now many college students go through “Greek Rush” to become a member of a Sorority or Fraternity and it has become the most exciting part of going to college. Making new friends and attending fun events is what makes Greek life so great – some friends that last a lifetime.

Close to home, the DFW metroplex boasts a university with the 2nd largest Greek student body (by capita) in the country! TCU in Fort Worth, Texas has a campus that nearly 43% of their 8,000 students are involved in some Greek letter organization. With all the “Greek activities” going on including – Toga parties, Greek initiations and partying “Greek style” you could treat your sorority or fraternity new member for some authentic Greek food to celebrate their big moment!

Ziziki’s would be pleased to have you and your brothers or sisters come to dinner one night to celebrate. Ziziki's is known for it's catering, as well as our party rooms to cater your party or large group or private dining. Or - perhaps you're looking for a something a bit different - visit Ziziki's Taverna for our small plate appetizers and huge wine bar. Visit one of our two locations in Dallas for some great Greek cuisine and a great Greek atmosphere! Remember - It’s fun to GO GREEK!

A True Greek Tradition - Horta

2011-08-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

What is "horta"?

In Greek cuisine, Horta (HOR-tah), or "greens" are a common side dish, usually eaten cold and seasoned with olive oil and lemon. Of course - horta, or 'greens' of this sort are found all over the world, from Africa to the deep-South of the United States.

Greens used range from typical cultivated veggies like spinach, mustard and turnip - to wild plants like dandelion, wild leeks and smooth sow-thistle.

These boiled greens are a staple in nearly every Greek household. These are easy to prepare, super-healthy, inexpensive - and you will really enjoy the clean, pure taste.

Like spinach, boiled greens wilt and reduce when cooked to a fraction of their original quantity. For four ample servings, one would typically boil approximately 3 lbs. of greens. Here's the details of a traditional Greek recipe for horta:

Greek Horta
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
• 3 lbs. curly Endive or any leafy green of your choice (Chicory, Chard)
• White vinegar (for adding to soaking water)
• 1 tbsp. salt
• Extra virgin olive oil (about 2 tbsp.)
• Fresh lemon juice to taste (juice of 1 lemon)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation:

The most important part is your preparation. Wash the greens well before cooking and trim any coarse stems. Discard any brown leaves.

Soak the greens in a clean and rinsed sink with plenty of water - and about a cup of white vinegar. Any sand or residue will sink to the bottom of the sink, while the greens will float on top. Remove the greens to a colander before draining the water.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then add about a tablespoon of salt to the water. Carefully submerge the greens in the pot and boil for about 20 minutes or until the thickest parts of the stems are tender. Be careful not to over boil.

Drain in a colander and place in a bowl. Dress with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice and a bit of salt and pepper (to your desired taste).

It's your choice! You can serve the greens warm, at room temperature or even cold. They're a very common side dish in real Greek cuisine.

Snacks For School - Greek Style

2011-08-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

Snacking can be a necessary way to obtain energy, or to provide sustenance on the go. As kids go back to school and young adults off to college - they need all the energy they can get to keep attention sharp. Same goes for adults in the work place!

Everyone knows Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest. So how do people snack in Greece? Ideal foods in the summer in Greece are the Greek snack foods that you can either purchase in a Greek store, (similar to here in the US and other countries) or whip up quickly in the kitchen.

A favorite quick, Greek snack are the Greek spinach pies (also know as spanakopita). Filled with healthy spinach, tasty onions, cheese and herbs - spanakopita is a versatile dish that ca be made with all different types of cheeses as well.

We all know olives are keen in Greece. Snacking on olives, here or in the homeland - is a true summer indulgence. Greeks love their olives - and they can be served up different ways if marinated in different herbs and oils. Soak your olives in olive oil and dried oregano - and you've got a true Greek favorite snack. Toss in some feta cheese, and add some warm bread and you have a well-rounded pick-me up snack.

More quick Greek snacks are simply an arrangement of favorite cheeses and yogurts. (ahhhh.. cheese... truly a Mediterranean cuisine favorite!)

If sweet snacks are your weakness – the Greeks usually opt for healthy sweet nuts and local honey - also fantastic coupled with yogurt!

Greeks have their guilty pleasures, too - just like Americans - with their chips and sweet-tooth snacks. On the less-healthy side, you could always opt for chocofreta chocolate wafers with hazelnuts,or a bag of white salted chick peas.

Leaving the kitchen – (and perhaps visiting the blue waters of the beach on the lovely coastline of Greece) - especially on the summer days - is the Greek’s favorite thing to do. So snacking on the go is essential. To indulge - they will typically eat at a little Greek tavern is their way to indulge then they return to the home to eat in the late evening when it’s cooler.

Ziziki's Big Opa! By Chef Costa

2011-07-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

Every Greek says their YaYa (Grandma) makes the best Keftedes (meatballs). It seems like this debate has been going on since the time of Socrates. I can assure you though; my YaYa’s Greek meatballs are the best! YaYa Katina grew up in Thessaloniki which is in the Northern part of Greece known for its farming and raising of sheep and goats. YaYa always made meatballs with 100% lamb unlike most keftedes recipes that call for a mixture of beef, pork and lamb or some combination thereof. Since Ziziki’s meatballs are made with lamb, it was my idea to add French Feta and a bit of Mozzarella for moisture.

When YaYa Katina made Keftedes, she always made a lot of these as my family would eat these as an appetizer, on flatbread like a pizza, with pasta for dinner or just eat them cold, straight out of the refrigerator as a snack. Ziziki’s country-style Keftedes are flavored with oregano, mint and a bit of crumbled French Feta and Mozzarella. Our hand-rolled meatballs are baked and served on a simple plum tomato sauce. After you try Ziziki’s Keftedes appetizer, you judge and let me know if they aren’t the best Greek meatballs you’ve ever had!

Visit us for the very best Greek food in Dallas!

Mary's Wine PIck

2011-07-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

I am always looking for that new unique wine to offer at Ziziki’s and…WOW…you will fall in love with the two wines that we are featuring this week from Patagonia Argentina. Argentina has been making wine since the 1500s, tracing its wine heritage back to Spain, France and Italy. Located in the province of Neuquen, is a young and innovative new winery…Bodega NQN…which was established in 2001. The winery is situated in a modern, chic, low-lying building set into the Patagonian landscape…a setting truly representative of the creativity of owner, Lucas Nemesio, who has an architectural background. The unique wines NQN is producing from this cool climate in the Southern Hemisphere are truly superb. When I tasted these wines last month with Lucas, I thought they would be a great match with our flavorful Greek cuisine.

Malma Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $8/glass

This Sauvignon Blanc rivals the best from Marlborough, New Zealand. It is fruity and crisp with a more rounded mouthfeel and nice acidity on the finish which makes this wine a perfect food wine or just great on a hot Dallas summer day.

Malma Malbec 2009 $8/glass

This malbec has intense red color and aromas of red fruit, fresh raspberry, plum and cherry. The bright fruit has vanilla hints from its oak aging. This Malbec has good structure and a slight spice on the finish which stands up well to our great lamb dishes, including our Greek meatballs.

NQN brings the kind of passion to wine that gets your attention…these two wines certainly got my attention!

Slim and Greek - The Mediterranean Diet

2011-07-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

How would you like to dine like Zeus and drink fine wines every day? If you're following the Mediterranean Diet - this is you.

Red wine and most of the ingredients in traditional Greek cuisine and Mediterranean dishes are great for the heart, and keep participants happily fed. (satisfied both with filling and taste, OPA!)

Heart attacks are quite rare in the Mediterranean, due to the diet of olive oil, soups and veggies, fresh fish, fruits and low calorie cheeses. Not to mention the heart-healthy and cholesterol benefits of eating beans (and did we mention - we have the biggest beans ever. They're called GIGANTE beans and rightfully so!)

Visit Ziziki's Taverna or Ziziki's for a heaping bowl of Gigante Beans, a healthy helping of Greek salad and some oilive oil & cheese. Oh, and some red, red wine. You'll leave healthy and happy! Opa!

Reds, Whites and Blues this Fourth Of July

2011-07-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

It's July 4th weekend - and what better way to celebrate than to celebrate Old Glory, her colors - and all things red, white and blue? Certainly, being Dallas Best Greek Restaurant - we'll need to keep it to red, white and blue FOODS, but you get the idea!

Red Foods

Reds are typically REAL healthy foods - lots of fruits and veggies are in the red family of foods.
Fruit and sweet vegetables: cherries, cranberries, red raspberries, strawberries, watermelon.
Meat: elk, ostrich, pepperoni, rare beef, salmon, summer sausage.
Vegetables: red beans, red peppers, red radishes, tomatoes.

Wine: red wine of course!

White Foods

Well, we hope you aren't lactose intolerant if you're wanting to celebrate with colored foods this Independence Day. Most white foods are dairy-related. There are a few ideas for white coloration - here are some of those:
Dairy products: cottage cheese, cream, cream cheese, milk, plain yogurt, sour cream, vanilla ice cream, white cheese (swiss, mozzerella, etc.).
Fruits and sweet vegetables: apples (peeled), bananas (peeled), coconut, lychees, pears (peeled), white nectarines, white peaches.

Meat: catfish, crappie, panfish, scallops.
Vegetables: button mushrooms, cauliflower, great northern beans, rice, white asparagus, white icicle radishes, white onions, white potatoes, white sweet corn.
Wine: white wine!

Blue Foods

There's only a couple of naturally blue foods. We've outlined those for you here too.
Fruits and sweet vegetables: blueberries.
Vegetables: all-blue potatoes (peeled or with skins), blue-skinned potatoes (skin on), blue corn.
Red cabbage starts out sort of purple and white, but when blanched in water with a base (such as baking soda) it turns blue.
Wine: None... :(

We'll work on the blue wine! OPA!

OLIVE You, DAD!

2011-06-18T06:28:00.000-07:00

Olives aren't just for martinis! They're the staple of a great meal - and diet. This Father's Day - say "OLIVE YOU, DAD" and treat him to a healthy, rich GREEK meal! OPA!

Why are olives important in the Greek diet? Well, as a cooking medium - olive oil is the most common cooking oil used in kitchens world-wide. Certainly - olives can be eaten whole, or used as a garnish - but they are most common in oil form and in salad dressings. Just like traditional Greek restaurant, Ziziki’s uses olive oil for cooking too. For example- our calamari is lightly sautéed with olive oil, white wine, and lemon. Other Greek dishes and appetizers (or, mezzes) are served with whole kalamata olives.

But where do olives come from? Olive trees typically were abundant throughout history in the Mediterranean area. The trees are super-strong, and live many years. Different types of olives come from different areas: Empeltre, Hojiblanca, Lechin, Picual, Cornicabra, Verdial, Arbequina, Picudo and varieties of each. There are also the most common olives in the United States, which are the black and green olives. Depending on where it's grown, the soil - there are tons of factors too, that go into how the olive will taste. They all have a unique and distinct flavor on their own.

Don't forget our special Brunch Menu just for Dad this Father's Day. Bring him over and say "OLIVE YOU!"

Father's Day On Mt. Olympus

2011-06-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19th.

Give Dad a meal fit for a king this Father's Day - celebrate at Ziziki's with a special brunch menu. But it's a given he'd love that - what else can you do for Dad on his special day to make him feel like he's floating above Mt. Olympus?

First of all ,you should think about what kind of breakfast he likes, seeing as how breakfast is the most important meal of the day after all - and make him breakfast! In Greece, though, a meal early in the morning isn’t very important because of Greek eating customs (meaning late lunches and dinners).

If you are a Greek who likes to eat, though, a cup of black tea sweetened with honey along with some feta cheese, olives, and bread should make any Greek Father very proud! Remember, though, that presentation counts for a lot!

After tha,t make sure you have some kind of gift – it can be very simple, or elaborate as well - just something that you know he will love and cherish. Maybe it's an activity he enjoys, like a game of backgammon or even a Kompoloi! After you present him with his gift and some time has gone by make sure you’re already preparing for the next meal! OPA!

If you decide to cook at home choose an authentic Greek dish like Moussaka (eggplant casserole), Keftedakia (fried meatballs with oregano and mint), Spetsofai (a stew of country sausage, green mild peppers, onions and wine), or any of the other countless number of great Greek cuisines! Then make sure you finish the meal off with a great home cooked dessert like Baklava (layers of pastry with nuts, sugar, syrup and spices). Disclaimer - if you are uncomfortable cooking any of these things, might we remind you Costa is - of course - extremely skilled in this arena - as his awards indicate, and we are happy to provide any culinary needs on Dad's special day. Or, you can just make reservations and enjoy our Father's Day brunch menu. Opa!

After this meal is over with, take your dad to do something he always wanted to do or maybe just have a party for him that includes his closest friends and greatest relatives! Plan games, events, and just good fun!

Once all of this is over, it's likely everyone will once again, be very hungry, so you will get to eat again!

Zizki's would like to wish ALL the Father's out there a VERY HAPPY Father's Day! opa!

Zizikis Taverna Is An Addison Reader's Choice Nominee

2011-05-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

The time comes once again that our patrons and their obvious satisfaction honor us!A special thank you goes out to our Addison patrons, who have nominated us once again for a great honor! We've been named a nominee for Favorite Mediterranean Food Restaurant in Addison with Addison Magazine Reader's Choice Awards!

We are thrilled to have received this nomination and we thank our wonderful clients for nominating us.

Want to see Zizikis in first place like we do? Then we need your help to win first place! Please take a moment to vote for Ziziki's Taverna: Best Mediterranean Restaurant.

Now, what really qualifies as “best”? Well, “best” can be defined as most advantageous, suitable, or desirable. If you feel like Zizikis’ food - like our many specialties and hot and cold mezzes – are as desirable as we think they are then please don’t think twice about visiting addisonmagazine.com and picking our name!

The Curiousity Of Woman

2011-05-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

At one point in time, there were only gods. This came to be tiresome, however, so Zeus ordered Prometheus to create man. Prometheus however, not at all pleased with the outcome of man, decided to steal fire from Heaven. As soon as Zeus knew this he became angered and immediately hired Hephaistos and other gods to create the first woman, Pandora, who would be both cunning and beautiful.

Having this woman made, Zeus presented her to Prometheus’ slightly dim-witted younger brother, Epimetheus. Epimetheus, being taken by Pandora, married her, and they were very happy. As a wedding present Zeus gave them a box, but told both Epimetheus and Pandora that it must never be opened.

So for a good time it wasn’t, until one day Epimetheus went out, and Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her. She decided that she would just open the box briefly to see what was inside and then close it back just as quickly as if nothing had ever happened – this, however, did not work.

As soon as Pandora opened this box awful things – such as lust, hatred, greed, and so on – started coming out, and no matter how hard she tried she could not get the box to shut and she could not get these abstract concepts back in.

So one by one they came out and as she thought it was over, and as she started to close the box, one more concept came out – hope – so that man, while he may have all of these sufferings and afflictions throughout his life, may be able to persevere, because no matter what he will always have hope to help him through it.

But don't fret over the release of all of man's most horrific emotions into the world - instead - come by Dallas wine bar at Ziziki's, or visit Ziziki's Taverna for Dallas Happy Hour or a bit of Mediterranean Fare In Dallas. Not unlike Pandora's Box - you do not know what you are going to get when you first open the doors, and when you come in you get more than you ever expected or could have wished for.

Zeus Should Have Eaten At Ziziki's Instead.

2011-05-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

From Ancient Greece we get a host of exciting s stories that offer various different explanations for how things came to be. Like the city of Athens, for example, came to be called “Athens" because of a sort of competition between Athena and Poseidon. But why would Athena be important enough to carry such a weight, as having a city named after her? Certainly, she was a goddess of Olympus, and there is a grand temple in Athens, built in her honor - that still stands today.

Athena is not just a goddess in Zeus' grand council - she's also... sort of... his daughter. Her story is that she was born from Zeus and Metis, Zeus’ first wife, but not in the traditional way. Metis was the goddess of wisdom, and it was said that one day Metis would have a child that would be greater in every way than Zeus himself was. So in order to keep this from happening Zeus decides to play a game with Metis. He had Metis transform into different creatures and once she turned into a fly, he ate her. Eating her, Zeus thought, might just stamp out this threat of a being more wise than himself. But, his eating her did not help anything though, because Metis was already pregnant. He'd been better off feasting on a bit of Mediterranean food at Ziziki's.

While Metis was inside of Zeus she made her daughter a helmet and robe, but this hurt Zeus greatly, so Hephaestus, wanting to lend a helping hand - took an axe and cut open his skull, which Athena then came out of – fully dressed and grown up. (Now here's an example celebrating SERIOUSLY grand Greek women!)

So now, Athena, being the daughter of Zeus, holds a bit of power, and especially since she is the also the goddess of wisdom, war, industry, the arts, skill and justice.

When it came to Athens, (before it was actually named Athens...) Athena, along with Poseidon, both wanted to be the 'deity of this city' and wanted the city named after them, they decided that it was only fair to let the people of the city pick. They decided that the person with the best gift (which was chosen by the people) would be the winner.

It is said that Poseidon – being the god of the sea – struck down his trident and made a well appear, but the problem was that the water was too salty, so it was useless.

Athena then gave her gift – an olive tree. The olive tree won because the tree provided wood, oil, and food, and so Athena, being the winner, named her city Athens.

And even though this was a long time ago, the olive tree is still very prevalent today. Olives are used for many things, such as olive oil and even extra virgin olive oil, and in many Greek dishes too!

The Sphinx Just Egyptian? Of Course Not!

2011-05-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face and breast of a woman. The other sphinx that most are more familiar with, from Egypt, is clearly male.

The term 'sphinx' was, of course - like most things in life, derived by Greek grammarians from the verb form of the word that means “to bind,” or “to squeeze”, but the etymology doesn't appear to be related to the legends and remains a bit unclear.

the Greek sphinx is said to be deadly and without mercy; those who cannot answer her riddle will suffer a fate comparable to other unfortunate Greek characters in history, as they are gobbled up (not unlike our scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine at Ziziki's) whole and eaten by this ravenous monster. On the other hand, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent in contrast to the malevolent Greek version.

The Sphinx is said to have guarded the entrance to the Greek city of Thebes, and to have asked the travelers a riddle to allow them passage. The Egyptian version merely guarded temples and cities, without asking any riddles.

What was the riddle asked by the Greek sphinx? “Which creature in the morning goes on four legs, at mid-day on two, and in the evening upon three, and the more legs it has, the weaker it is?"

She would strangle and devour anyone unable to answer, but Oedipus solved the riddle by answering: “Man—who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then walks with a cane in old age.”

Some stories, though, say that there was a second riddle:

"There are two sisters: one gives birth to the other and she, in turn, gives birth to the first." The answer is "day and night" (both words are feminine in Greek).

Out-done at last, the Sphinx then threw herself from her high rock and died.

But what many don't know, is that JUST before the sphinx threw herself from the rock and died, she asked ONE FINAL QUESTION:

"Who has the finest Greek food in Dallas?"

To anyone who lives in Dallas, this is no riddle. The answer, quite simply - is "Zizikis"! (Ok, yes, of course... Ziziki's Taverna is also an acceptable answer.)

Great Greek Wines

2011-05-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, and the origins of winemaking in Greece go back almost 7000 years. The spread of Greek civilization and their worship of Dionysus, the god of wine, helped to spread the love of wine throughout all Mediterranean areas. Greek wines and their varieties were well known and traded throughout the Mediterranean soon after it was discovered, and Hippocrates even used wine for medicinal purposes and gladly prescribed it to anyone in need of some quick help.

The most reputable wines of ancient Greece were Chian, Coan, Corcyraean, Cretan, Euboean, Lesbian, Leucadian, Mendaean, Peparethan wine, Rhodian and Thasian. In 1937, the Ministry of Agriculture established a Wine Institute, which was established to devote time to researching Greek Wine and to preserving and improving the country's winemaking. During the 1960s, Retsina suddenly became the national beverage. Retsina is a Greek white wine that has a unique flavor and is said to have originated from the practice of sealing wine vessels, particularly amphorae, with Aleppo Pine resin in ancient times. With rapidly growing tourism, Retsina became associated worldwide with Greece and Greek wine.

At Zizikis, known for our outstanding wine selection in Dallas, and keeping you and your dinner guests satiated, but we have recently added a selection of new Greek wines discovered on our latest adventure to Greece! Stop in for a formal introduction to these new wine selections:

New Greek White Wines
Domaine Skouras White, Greece 2009
Domaine Sigalas "Santorini" Assyrtiko, Greece 2009
Domaine Skouras "Almyra" Chardonnay, Greece 2009

New Greek Red Wines
Domaine Skouras Red, Greece 2009
Alpha Estate "Hedgehog Vineyard" Xinomavro, Greece 2007

A Day In Ancient Greece

2011-04-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

You wake up, then go to work, and then come home where you eat dinner (preferably Mediterranean food...OPA!), and then go to sleep, right? Well, in ancient Greece, they spent their time in a slightly different way, but some of their habits are still relevant for a good majority of people in today’s society.

Most men in ancient Greece were being trained for military purposes, or discussing politics, but if that was not the case then they went to the Theatre, which often involved current politics and gods in some form, so that way they could just watch it instead of talk about it to everyone else.

Women were normally not allowed to watch theatre or perform at the theatre, so male actors played the women roles. The lives of women in Ancient Greece were closely tied to domestic work, spinning, weaving and other domestic duties, so they were not involved in public life or in politics, and their lives were normally quite confined to the house although one public duty was acting as a priestess at a temple.

The children, however, were much like the children of today. Because they could not do domestic chores, or understand politics or theatre, they usually used up their time by playing with toys and games.

In Greece at this time, and even still today, most all people made their living by farming, and what was convenient was that often the citizens would have land around their homes which they could use to provide their income (and to provide us with yummy Greek food today!). The downside, though, is that the Greek landscape was hard to farm.

Grapes were usually picked around September and either kept for eating or made into wine, and olives were either picked by hand or knocked out of the trees with wooden sticks. Olives especially were an important product to the Greeks because it had so many uses including; cooking, lighting, beauty products and it could also be used for athletic purposes (and it also makes olive oil which is used in so many of Zizikis great Dallas Greek dishes!).

The Ancient Greeks usually ate bread and porridge with food such as cheese, vegetables, fish, eggs and fruit. At Zizikis, though, there are so many more options for any person living in the modern day world who wants some great Mediterranean food fit for an ancient Greek himself!

Greek Orthodox Easter Celebrations

2011-04-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

Easter is the most sacred observance in the Greek Orthodox faith, and the preparations and customs remain some of the most traditional in modern Greek life.

Easter for the Greeks, though, is not exclusive to one day. For the Greeks, Easter is a weeklong holiday that is filled with many traditions, and (of course...) GREEK FOOD! Some of the most important days, though, are those that are the closest to Easter Sunday itself.

Thursday
Holy Thursday, also known as Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that honors the Last Supper of Christ with the Apostles. To begin the Easter preparations, on Holy Thursday the customary Easter bread, tsoureki, is baked, and eggs are dyed red (red is the color of life as well as a representation of the blood of Christ).

Friday
Good Friday is also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday and is used to observe the crucifixion and death of Christ at Calvary, and is seen as the holiest day of Holy Week. This day is one of mourning, not of work (including cooking...), and is also the only day during the year when the Divine Liturgy is not read. Many devout do not cook on Holy Friday, but if they do, traditional foods are simple, perhaps boiled in water (no oil) and seasoned with vinegar - like beans - or thin soups like tahinosoupa, a soup made with tahini.

Saturday
On Great and Holy Saturday the Orthodox Church honors the burial of Christ. It is the day between the Crucifixion of the Lord and His Resurrection. On the morning of Holy Saturday, preparations begin for the next day’s Easter feast. Dishes that can be prepared in advance are made, and the traditional mayiritsa soup is prepared, which will be eaten after the midnight service, to "break the fast". Once home from the sight of the Eternal Flame being passed from person to person in the church courtyard, everyone gathers around the table for a traditional meal to main attraction of the day, which is whole roasted lamb or goat (kid) to represent the Lamb of God, and with traditional accompaniments and all the trimmings too! Great Greek wines, ouzo, and other drinks are everywhere, and preparations for the meal turn into festive celebrations even before the eating begins. These high-spirited gatherings often last long into the night.

If on Easter Day, though, you are not in Greece, or (for some weird reason), you are, in fact - not Greek, then join us at all three Zizikis Restaurants for a Special Easter Bru nch featuring complimentary mimosas or champagne. Our regular dinner menu will be offered for dinner on Easter, as well. OPA!

Spring - The Presence of Persephone

2011-04-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

Persephone must be free, because Spring is in full swing.

Demeter was the goddess of the harvest and everyone, gods and mortals alike, worked hard to keep Demeter happy, because the moment she became sad or mad, the crops could die, and what made her happiest was enjoying the company of her daughter, Persephone.

One day, though, Persephone, as she was picking flowers, was kidnapped by Hades (who was enamored with Persephone the moment he saw her) and taken into the darkest depths of the underworld.

Locked in a room in the Hall of Hades she refused to eat. Legend said if you ate anything in Hades, you could never leave. She did not know if the legend was true, but she did not want to risk it in case someone came to rescue her. After a while, like any good Greek girl, Persephone was starting to get hungry for her native Mediterranean food. (She'd have probably enjoyed getting out for a evening cocktail and a mezze or two at Ziziki's Taverna!)

Nearly a week went by, but finally, unable to stand her hunger, Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds. Sadly, she would now have to live in the Underworld forever.

Then Zeus, worried, sent Hermes, his youngest son, the messenger, to make a deal with Hades. Even as a baby, Hermes was great at making deals. (Everyone knew that!) So, When Hermes heard that Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds, he had to think quickly. The deal he made with Hades was that if Persephone would marry Hades, she would live as queen of the underworld for six months out of the year. However, each spring, Persephone would return and live on earth for the other six months of the year. Everyone agreed to the plan.

So now, each Spring, Demeter makes sure all the flowers bloom in welcome when her daughter, Queen of the Underworld, returns to her. Each Fall, when Persephone returns to Hades, Demeter cries, and lets all the crops die until Spring, when the cycle starts again.

We feel pretty lucky for these seasons, especially since Spring is when we get all of our fresh ingredients for our Greek cuisine. Like tomatoes – which can be used as roma tomatoes to go with your Caprese Salad or your Mediterranean Bread, and potatoes – which are an especially good side when roasted and served as a side dish, just like the seasoned rice, with yummy sauces and other Springtime specialties at all Zizikis Restaurants. OPA!

Eating Out With The Kids

2011-04-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

Eating out at a Dallas restaurant is always a fun and exciting idea, until one realizes that they have little children who are – well – picky, to say the least.

Eating out for a family doesn’t always have to mean the nearest fast-food joint, though.

At Zizikis award-winning Greek restaurants - we have a kid’s menu that brings food that kids are traditionally used to eating, and puts a Greek twist on it.

Instead of the same old grilled cheese sandwich, why not try our grilled cheese pita that consists of handmade pita broiled with two cheeses and served with Ziziki sauce? Or how about having chicken tenders with roasted potatoes instead of ordinary French fries? Or why not try something a little different with our chicken or lamb skewer that’s served with pita, Ziziki sauce & roasted potatoes?

At Zizikis, we have everything to keep your children satisfied, and you! If they’re scared of trying something traditionally Greek, like Mousaka, then there is always Pizza and Chicken to keep them satiated and happy.

OPA!

Eggs, Easter and Greek Brunch

2011-03-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Join Us at All Three Ziziki’s Restaurants for a Special Easter Brunch Featuring Complimentary Mimosas or Champagne.

Our regular dinner menu will be offered for dinner on Easter.

EASTER BRUNCH MENU

Complimentary Glass of Champagne or Mimosa

A flavorful selection of your favorite Ziziki’s items:

Spanakopita
Dolmades
Mediterranean Salad
Greek Island Chicken
Rigatoni with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

Plus these signature brunch items…

Mediterranean Shrimp
House Smoked Salmon with
Bagels & Herbed Cream Cheese
Buttermilk Pancakes with Cinnamon Syrup
Greek Scrambled Eggs with Feta Cheese & Basil
Roasted Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Sauce
Ya Ya Katina’s Baklava

Easter Eggs and Chocolates For All Children

3 seatings at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm
$24.95 per person

Specifically on special holidays, and on weekends, reservations are recommended for any size party; and if you have a party of 20-40 please consider our private VIP dining room at our Travis Walk location and semi private dining room at Preston.

Take A Bite Of Scylla!

2011-03-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

The Greek tale of the Scylla, a monster, with six heads, that Odysseus must sail past during his travels, is an example of one of the earlier sightings of what we now know today as The Kraken. Stories tell us that this huge, many armed, monster could reach as high as the top of a sailing ship's main mast, making it obvious as to how one would attack the ship in the first place; by wrapping their arms around the hull and capsizing it. After that the crew would either drown or be eaten by the monster.

The Kraken of this myth is probably what we know today as the giant squid. The giant squid can grow to a remarkable size, and like all squid, a giant squid has eight arms, a mantle (torso), and two longer tentacles (the longest known tentacles of any cephalopod). These giant squid also have a sophisticated nervous system and complex brain, and some are thought to be able to wrestle with something as big as a whale.

Whether Scylla was truly a giant squid, or maybe just an over-sized octopus, she would – in all reality – still taste as good as any other type of seafood anyone has ever had. Size isn’t what matters when it comes to seafood – but it could help a bit. At Ziziki's, you could opt for the smaller version of Scylla & the Kracken: calamari or to stick to the souvlaki's with yummy sea-snacks like tuna and shrimp. Opa!

Greek: It's Good For You

2011-03-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Greek cuisine is classified as a type of Mediterranean cuisine and, as the years have gone by, this type of food has become more and more prevalent in today’s “dining-out” industry. Dining out has even now become more common in Greece itself, and has been for a while now.

What makes Greek food stand out most is the fact that in almost all recipes, one can find a good amount of olive oil and a bit of Greek culture to go with it.

Greek life, in essence, is all about the celebration of said life. Even in ancient Greece, dancing was extremely important to the people. They believed that dancing helped one become more mentally and physically fit, and they even had close to two-hundred dances. These celebrations, or festivals, can last, at a minimum, a couple of days, or go on for so long as up to a week.

Greek life and culture is one of loving and living life to the fullest, and a Greek restaurant has the ability to give one the right atmosphere, the right food, and the great fun that being Greek can bring into one’s life.

Going Green and Going GREEK For St. Patty's Day

2011-03-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

March 17th is well known around the world as St. Patrick's Day. Ireland is well-represented by pubs and bars all across Greece, with with Crete being the most popular with those from Ireland and visitors from all over the world. There are over 20 Irish themed pubs and bars on Crete alone.

And certainly - in Greece, where there's always a reason to celebrate - you can imagine that Greeks take part in the enjoyment of the green beer - or - the green beer BOTTLE.

Mythos Beer is one of the most popular bee - and it comes in a bright green bottle.

But instead of flying to Athens for some special beer - why not head over to one of our three Ziziki's locations or Ziziki's Taverna in Addison for a festive atmosphere, spirits and scrumptious mezzes?

So go green ...and go Greek!

Slainte!

Mardi Gras - Greek Style!

2011-03-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

Of course, you know about New Orleans, and Rio de Janeiro and their extravagant and exotic Mardi Gras celebrations coming up! BUT, the GREEKS have been doing CARNIVAL longer than anyone - in fact, they invented it! OPA!

While the Greek Carnival is just as festive and exciting as Mardi Gras, there are a few differences that occur in Greece. First of all, they use the Greek Orthodox Easter Calendar - which usually differs from the Western Calendar.

Carnival ( or Apokriés meaning "saying goodbye to meat") begins on a Saturday evening with the opening of the Triodion - beginning of Pre-Lentin (40 days before the beginning of Lent). They do not recognize “Fat Tuesday” in Greece - instead they celebrate “Burnt Thursday” (11 days before Lent) feasting on a variety of grilled meats.

The weekend following (“Tsiknopempti Weekend”) continues with many parties and other events to “Meat-Eating Sunday”, when is the “last day” for meat eating. This is a very popular day at most Greek restaurants, like Ziziki’s Restaurant and Ziziki’s Taverna.

But, a week later on the last weekend of the Carnival season is the Main Carnival Weekend. Patras holds the largest carnival in Greece and filled with concerts, masked balls, parades with amazing floats and many special events for children over 3 fun-filled days. On Saturday, there is a special service for the dead in Orthodox churches and ends on “Cheese-eating Sunday” or “Tyrofagos” - you know the Greeks LOVE their cheese. The Great Lent begins on "Clean Monday” which marks the end of the Greek Carnival.

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue the celebration - the party is always going on here at one of our Zizikis locations. Come in and see us sometime!

Wine about it!

2011-02-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

When you think of opening up a bottle of wine, do you opt for a fine French Bordeaux or a rich, yet fruity, Italian Chianti or even a Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the most popular non-European vineyard - that of say - Napa Valley in California?

What about Greek wines? You know - they have been doing it LONGER than anyone! Greek wines have been dated to over 6500 years ago. The Greeks were known to worship Dionysus, the god of wine, It has been said Hippocrates used wine for medicinal purposes. Viticulture (the science, production and study of grapes) originated in Greece with domestic cultivation becoming widespread throughout Europe. Greek wines and their varieties were well known and traded throughout the Mediterranean and across the world.

The importance of wine in ancient Greek society can be summed up best by a quote from the Greek historian Thucydides: "the peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learned to cultivate the olive and the vine". I know I feel more at “peace” when I am indulging on a tasty glass of vintage Lantides Aenaon, Merlot from Greece.

Be sure to visit us for Dallas Best Wine Selection at Zizikis or Ziziki’s Taverna to taste any one of our great ports and wines from Greece and other regions in Europe - as well as Dallas Best Greek Cuisine.

Springtime In Greece

2011-02-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

The travel guides say Spring is a great time to visit Greece...

Traveling during this season to the beautiful Mediterranean destination will allow you to enjoy less crowds, better prices and FANTASTIC weather. Springtime in Greece means that most of the Greek Isles are coming off of seasonal winds, and preparing for a hot Summer (sounds a bit like Texas.)

And of course - Greek food is ALWAYS something to behold - regardless of season.

Spring is a time for festivals and celebrations - including Easter (more on that later!) and feasts and events to celebrate the renewal of Spring.

Greek Springtime is also considered quite incredible as far as Mother Nature is concerned. She's busy making a new, beautiful landscape - and it is said to be refreshing and amazing to see. The lush green landscape, colorful mountains, and blooming majesty of native wildflowers.

Can't break away to go to Greece just yet? Visit us at Ziziki's or Ziziki's Taverna for authentic Greek cuisine that will make you feel like you're really there. Bring a fan to mimic the 'Greek Spring winds' and we'll provide the food and atmosphere. Opa!

Dine Like Gods This St. Valentine's Day

2011-02-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

It's Less than a week until the most romantic night of the year…St. Valentine's Day.

What would Eros (Aphrodite's son, by the way) suggest doing on this special day? What might you do for your special loved one, to enhance the chances that Eros might draw his famous "bow of love": and shoot a magical arrow in to the heart and mind of your sweetie to ensure true love forever?

What are you doing to show your loved one how you feel? A heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates? A beautiful, diamond necklace? A dozen red roses?

If you want results - go for GREEK FOOD. It's sure to win the heart of your love-target.

All of these other ideas are amazing - and must be done, if you really want to make an impression...start the night off right by visiting Ziziki’s for a special four-course Valentine's Day dinner on Monday, February 14th, or by visiting Ziziki's Taverna in Addison for three-course dinner special. Here's a bit more on this weekend's special offerings:

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND SPECIALS

Ziziki's Valentine's Menu
This four course dinner is only $49 per person (tax and tip not included).

APPETIZER PLATTER
A trio platter of our chef’s favorite appetizers
SALAD
Our signature ZIZIKI Salad
ENTREÉ
Your choice of entreé including our most popular:
Rack of Lamb, Spanakopita, Greek Island Chicken, Seafood Santorini and much more.
DESSERT
Decadent Chocolate Liquor Cake

We will also be offering this amazing (at our Ziziki's locations only) all weekend to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 2/11, 2/12, and 2/13 as an option along with our regular menu just in case you and your sweetheart want to celebrate early!

Ziziki's Taverna

Begin with your choice of Mezze (yummy Greek appetizers...). Then, you can indulge in a scrumptious Greek Salad. Finally, you'll enjoy your choice of our Specialty Entrees. This exclusive three-course menu is only $30/per person! What's more - you can add a bottle of wine from a HUGE wine selection for only $20 more! Click here for the full selection special menu.

Join us and feast your way to true love!

The Super Bowl: Originated In Greece, Right?

2011-02-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

ONLY 5 more days until the SUPER BOWL is here in North Texas…how exciting! People from all over the country are coming to Dallas/Ft. Worth with a hunger (and thirst) - not only for delicious food and tasty beverages, BUT for some consuming entertainment that ONLY the SUPER BOWL can satisfy!

Picture this: A nation riveted with men competing for more wealth and fame in the biggest of arenas. A stadium packed with people ready glorify or scorn the players based on their achievements or failings. Remind you of anything?

After the nonstop media frenzy this week, you are most likely thinking Super Bowl.

But that's only the latest, high-profile extravaganza in which fame and fortune are at stake. Going back more than 2,000 years ago, first the Greeks (of COURSE!) and THEN the Romans regularly gathered in large crowds ready to cheer and jeer their own stars, just as some 100,000 or so fans will do in Arlington this Sunday.

No festival from any age or place has done such a amazing job of celebrating so much all at once. The ancient Greeks crammed as many as 20,000 viewers into their outdoor theatre, an assembly unmatched in those days by anything other than warfare. Instead of attending one of the hundreds of parties the night before or feasting on a big brunch (perhaps somewhere like the TOP 5 nominee for BEST BRUNCH in DFW at Ziziki‘s Restaurant) before the Big Game, there was a parade and sacrifice to the god of wine, Dionysus - a sign that the Athenian people was about to get their Greek feast on. (Today, you might think beer, chicken wings and pizza - but at Ziziki's - and Ziziki's Taverna - we're thinking WINE and have the best wine selection in Dallas). These were competitive events, with prizes for the greatest and most victorious.

The game this Sunday at Cowboys Stadium is but the pinnacle of spectacles. Not even the ancient Olympics could operate on the same scale. In addition to the actual game of football - the anticipation of the musical acts before the game and during half-time are just as exciting. And, of course, you can’t forget about the award winning and much-hyped commercials.(Speaking of much-hyped - did you know Ziziki's can cater your Super Bowl party and save you TONS of time and money - and SERIOUSLY impress your guests)

The Super Bowl's ability to make and crown stars has few rivals. The quarterbacks are like the generals - the men who hold the strategic codes, who hang behind the offensive lines like kings in a chess game, and who fight until the end. There is a Greek-style kudos - acclaim, glory, fame - to these celebrities who duel without actually meeting on the field. Of course - at Ziziki's - we love winning too - alongw ith acclaim, glory and fame- that's why we are known for our award-winning Greek cuisine in Dallas.

Don’t forget our campaign to end hunger, TASTE OF THE NFL is still going on (now through Super Bowl Sunday) At all Ziziki's locations - and with your purchase of these wines, they will donate to the North Texas Food Bank to address the needs of the hungry in North Texas and around the country.

Ziziki's will be open for Sunday brunch on Super Bowl Sunday, but will be closed Super Bowl night.

Looking for a Super Bowl Party? Join Ziziki's Taverna for a spectacular Happy Hour - a lively atmosphere and viewing of the game of the year on a 90" flat screen!

Credits for this blog post refer to ESPN - for the full article - click here.

Happy Hour.... Greek Style

2011-01-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

When I hear the word Opa!, I immediately envision a nice,big Greek family sitting around the dinner table laughing and indulging on a huge feast of Greek cuisine and of course, drinking some wine.

Yes…when I hear the word OPA, I think, “HAPPY”! So, I just assumed “Happy Hour” originated in Greece! Well, didn't it?

I was surprised to learn that the term “Happy Hour” originated in the United States Navy. Back in the 1920’s, the term was slang for the scheduled period of entertainment on-ship when the sailors were “happy” from drinking. After the passage of the Volstead Act, civilians held "cocktail hours" at speakeasies, and in their own homes, to fortify themselves before going out to eat since restaurants could not serve alcohol. Post-prohibition cocktail lounges continued the custom of pre-dinner cocktails

"Happy hour" became a common term around 1960, after it appeared in a 1959 Saturday Evening Post article on military life.

Over time, the word "happy" became synonymous with being "slightly drunk," happy hour has transitioned from a start to an evening out into more of an after-work ritual.

In the 1980s, bars offered complimentary appetizers for happy hour, in response to the heightened enforcement of anti-drunk-driving laws. While happy hour has suffered some controversy and has actually been banished in certain countries and states (including United States military base clubs in 1984), it is a time where people mingle, do business meetings and have fun with their coworkers and friends and usually takes place on weekdays after work hours.

The most popular happy hours are those that offer a combination of drink and food specials as well as entertainment or special TV programs such as sports.

Visit any of our Greek restaurant locations between 4pm and 6pm on any weekday for the best Dallas Happy Hour - and you are likely to find drink and food specials to take the edge off a long day at the office!

HAPPY HOUR AT ZIZIKI'S
Happy Hour Menu
Monday~Friday 4-6PM
$1.50 off Liquor Drinks
$1.50 off Wine By-the-glass
$.50 off Beers
$5 for Select Appetizers

$7 Happy Hour Specialty Drinks (regularly $10)
Carafe of Mojito ~ $17
Carafe of Margarita ~ $17
Sangria, White or Red ~ $15
Seasonal fruit infused Vodka Martinis! ~ $8
$5 Happy Hour Appetizers
AND MORE!

Greek Salads - A Totally Healthy and Yummy Treat!

2011-01-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

By definition, a Greek salad is: A salad of lettuce and raw vegetables, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, garnished with olives and feta and dressed with olive oil and vinegar, lettuce is never seen in a true, authentic Greek salad.

In Greece, salads are eaten with the main meal and characterized by the ingredients of the Mediterranean, and particularly Greek origin. Usually, this kind of salad is made of sliced or chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and green or red peppers garnished with a slice of Feta cheese, olives, and a pinch of dried oregano. In the country, it is served with cruets of olive oil and vinegar and the juice that remains is eaten with bread.

There are many other delicious salads enjoyed across Greece and in Greek dining - here are just a few:

Horiatiki Salata is your basic big, fat Greek salad consisting of Greek tomato, cucumber and olive. Horiatiki means village-style, but may be called such terms as “country salad“, “peasant salad“ and of course “village salad“. This fresh, healthy salad is found in one form or another throughout the eastern Mediterranean.Greek Courgette Salad-Fresh mint, feta cheese and courgette (a fancy name for zucchini) are a favorite summer salad combination in small tavernas throughout the Greek Isles.
Pantzarosalata- Made with boiled and sliced beetroots (sometimes mixed with beet greens) dressed with olive oil, finely sliced onions, lemon juice or red wine vinegar.
Lachanosalata- A cabbage salad has very finely shredded cabbage with salt, olive oil, lemon juice/vinegar dressing. This isn't your everyday coleslaw with the celery and garlic giving this a unique taste. This is really great served with a generous hunk of feta cheese-either crumbled in, or served alongside so you can nibble on pieces of creamy cheese between bites of crispy salad.
Cypriot salad, native to the island of Cyprus, consists of finely chopped tomatoes, capers, cucumbers, onions, green bell peppers and flat-leaf parsley, and closely resembles the 'Greek salad' of Greece.

Some spreads and dips found in the meze of Greek cuisine are also regarded as part of the group of “salads” by many Greeks, such as metilzanosalata (eggplant salad), taramosalata (a fish roe dip) and tzatziki (cucumber dip flavored with garlic).

Greek salads are enjoyed around the world. Many cuisines have adopted the dish, and the salad can be found in restaurants, like Ziziki’s Restaurant, as an appetizer, side dish or main course.

Vegetarians Unite - GREEK STYLE!

2011-01-14T08:10:00.000-08:00

Authentic Greek cuisine is rich with vegetarian options. I mean, Greek cooking is based on fresh seasonal vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, herbs, spices, and olive oil - perfect for vegetarians (and often for vegans as well). However, unless you speak or read Greek, it can be challenging to seek out the authentic spots and interpret their menus.

Image from Foodnetwork.com

Here are some of the most popular Greek vegetarian dishes:

Greek salad (cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and oregano)
Spanokopita (flaky spinach and cheese pastry)
Saganaki (a plate of melted cheese)
Pasta Napolatina (pasta with tomato sauce)
Cheese pastries
Dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with dill-flavored rice)
Olives, cheese and tzatziki (tangy yogurt…from where we got Ziziki‘s name from) plates

It is much more difficult to find completely vegan dishes (a diet eliminating all meat, dairy and animal products) as many of the meatless options contain cheese. However, hummus (chickpea spread) on pita bread is a naturally vegetarian AND vegan snack. Yigandes Plaki (gigante beans & tomato casserole) is a very popular dish during lent-Greek Orthodox observe several major and minor fasting periods throughout the year, including the Easter Lenten season. Meat (and products derived from meat), fish with backbones, dairy products, olive oil, and wine are not eaten.

You can’t forget about dessert, now! Baklava is a perennial favorite, a classic Greek pastry made with flaky phyllo dough that is layered with a cinnamon-spiced nut filling, and sweetened with honey or syrup. It’s sweet and very decadent AND vegetarian!

People in Greece, who eat a traditional Greek diet, have been known to live on average quite a bit longer than inhabitants of other countries. Greek food is tasty and good for your health and you won’t find a better combination than that. ZIZIKI’S RESTAURANT has a very healthy Greek cuisine, including many vegetarian dishes.

Help Ziziki’s and the NFL Fight to End Hunger

2011-01-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

Ziziki’s Greek Restaurant has partnered with Taste of NFL in the fight against hunger. Since it’s inception in 1992, Taste of NFL has raised over $10 million for hunger relief agencies around the world and right here in North Texas. We are proud to support & host such an honorable effort.

How can YOU help?

Come visit us at Zizikis (now through Super Bowl Sunday) and with your purchase of the wines listed below, they will donate to the North Texas Food Bank to address the needs of the hungry in North Texas and around the country.
.
E&J Gallo Winery will donate 2.5 meals per bottle sold:
MacMurray Ranch Sonoma Coast
Pinot Gris
$11/Glass
$42/Bottle

Louis Martini
Cabernet Sauvignon
$11/Glass
$42/Bottle

Majestic Fine Wines will donate 2.5 meals per bottle sold:
Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard
Chardonnay
$10/Glass
$38/Bottle

LaJota Howell Mountain
Cabernet Sauvignon
$20/Glass
$75/Bottle

We want to extend a special thanks to all of you who join us - the participating wineries, and of course - Taste of the NFL in this fight to end hunger!

How GREEK of you to vote for us!

2011-01-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

We would like to extend a very special thanks to all of you who voted for us for BEST BRUNCH on WFAA-List Best of Dallas! We are thrilled to have been in the TOP FIVE - we came in third!

We want you to come in and experience Ziziki's Greek brunch any day! We've got a fantastic wine list for all types of celebrations, a full array of culinary selections and appetizers from our award-winning Greek menu - and a festive atmosphere to support true brunch efforts. (heavy eating, fellowship and fun!) Don’t forget to bring your friends and family!

That way - they too, can indulge in the best Greek restaurant in Dallas - as well have the experience they need to VOTE for us next year! We are looking forward to another run next year! Sign up for our newsletter (see top right of our homepage) to receive news, special events and special offers!

Happy New Year From Zizikis and Zizikis Taverna

2011-01-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

Wishing all of our amazing customers a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. We wrapped up 2010 with a very special holiday party at Family Gateway.

Every year Mary and Costa & Family, as well as volunteers from Ziziki's staff prepare a meal to help homeless families at the shelter have a special holiday dinner. Family Gateway is our favorite charity. Since 1986, Family Gateway has supported families who have found themselves in dire need: homeless. They've offered over 7,600 children and parents the help they need to recover from crisis and make positive choices for their future.

We want to extend a special thanks to all of you who donated a gift through the toy drive at all of our locations.

Watching these children open their toys was truly the highlight of our evening, and we were honored to have served and supported such a great cause. Here's best wishes for all who helped, attended - and make the effort to support others during the holiday and throughout the year.

Celebrate 2011 With Zizikis

2010-12-27T17:06:00.000-08:00

Still haven’t decided what to do for New Year’s Eve yet???

Ziziki’s is offering a special three course New Year’s Eve Dinner on Friday, December 31st along with our award-winning wine list. Also, on Saturday, January 1st Ziziki’s will offer our flavorful WFAA-List “Best of Dallas” champagne buffet brunch.

In case you need to see it again - here's a run-down of the New Year festivities!

NEW YEAR'S EVE:
The three course New Year’s Eve dinner is $49 per person (tax and tip not included).
Reservations accepted for any size party at three seatings: 6PM, 8PM and 10PM.
APPETIZER PLATTER
A sampling of our chef’s favorite appetizers
SALAD
Your choice of Greek Salad, Mediterranean Salad or Caprese Salad
ENTRÉE
Your choice from your favorite Ziziki’s specialities including: Greek Paella, Grilled Rack of Lamb and Mediterranean Lamb Shank

NEW YEAR'S DAY:
Ziziki’s will feature our flavorful WFAA-List “Best of Dallas” nominated brunch buffet (a champagne brunch) for $21.95 per person until 3PM and then the dinner menu after 4PM.

HAVING YOUR OWN PARTY?

Celebrate with Mediterranean cuisine catered to your special event! And not just any old 'Greek food - it's Dallas' best Greek food. Choose from our exclusive Catering Menu. You can plan your special event, holiday gathering or corporate lunch and have it delivered - hot and fresh! Impress your friends and family, eat well and be happy!

Call any of our three locations for reservations:
Ziziki’s Travis Walk: 214) 521-2233
Ziziki’s Preston Forest: 469) 232-9922
Ziziki’s Plano: 972) 943-8090

OPA!

Ring In The New Year - Greek Style

2010-12-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

Like all things - New Year celebrations COULD just be the invention of the (you guessed it) GREEKS! While celebrating the New Year is very important - the Greeks also celebrate something else.... it's a double OPA in Greece!

The start of the year has historically been important in Greece because January 1st is also St. Basil's Day. One the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church, St. Basil is is remembered for his kind spirit and help and support of those less fortunate. In Greece - they honor St. Basil on New Year's Day - so it's a day of double meaning.

Here in Dallas, of course we honor St. Basil, but we're focused more on celebrating the New Year by offering a one-of-a-kind New Year's Eve Dinner (3 seatings at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm) and a champagne brunch on New Year's Day. We're accepting reservations - and hope to see you there. Here's the details.

NEW YEAR'S EVE:

$49 per person (tax and tip not included).

APPETIZER PLATTER
A sampling of our chef’s favorite appetizers
SALAD
Your choice of Greek Salad, Mediterranean Salad or Caprese Salad
ENTRÉE
Your choice from your favorite Ziziki’s specialities including: Greek Paella, Grilled Rack of Lamb and Mediterranean Lamb Shank

NEW YEAR'S DAY:

Ziziki’s will feature our flavorful “Best of Dallas” champagne brunch buffet for $21.95 per person until 3PM.

Call any of our three locations for reservations:

Ziziki’s Travis Walk: 214) 521-2233

Ziziki’s Preston Forest: 469) 232-9922

Ziziki’s Plano: 972) 943-8090

For more information, contact Mary Arabatzis at 214) 521-2233 or 972) 567-5052

Wishing You A Greek Christmas

2010-12-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

In Greece, there are many Christmas customs that are similar to ours in the U.S., but most slightly differ from traditions of the West.

Starting on Christmas Eve, children travel from house to house singing 'kalanda', (Christmas carols), using small metal triangles and little clay drums. Afterwards, the children are usually given sweets or coins in appreciation for their musical talents.

In Greek Christmas, the GREEK FEAST becomes the main attraction by both adults and children alike. OPA! Lamb and pork are roasted in ovens and open spits, and on almost every table are loaves of 'christopsomo' ('Christ bread'). This bread is usually made in large sweet loaves of various shapes and the crusts are engraved and decorated in some way that reflects the family's profession. Of course, melomacarona cookies (traditional greek Christmas cookies soaked in honey syrup) are sure to be every home.

During Christmas in Greece, remember that the season is in full swing by December 6, Feast of St. Nicholas, when presents are exchanged, and will last through January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. In Greek homes, Christmas trees are not commonly used, but recently have become more popular. In almost every house, though, the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross. A small amount of water is kept in the bowl to keep the basil alive and fresh. Once a day, a family member, usually the mother, dips the cross and basil into some holy water and uses it to sprinkle water in each room of the house. This ritual is believed to keep the bad spirits away.

Gifts are finally exchanged on St. Basil's Day (January 1). On this day the "renewal of waters" also takes place, a ritual in which all water jugs in the house are emptied and refilled with new "St. Basil's Water." The ceremony is often accompanied by offerings to the 'naiads', spirits of springs and fountains.

In general, don't expect Christmas in Greece to feature quite the quantity of displays, Christmas lights, or other “Western’ decorations, except of course in the windows of businesses and the increasing number of Greeks who have adopted Western customs. Christmas in Greece is still a relative oasis of non-commercialism when it comes to Christmas.

But, you don’t have to travel all the way to Greece to have an authentic Greek Feast, drop by Ziziki’s Dallas Restaurants for an authentic Greek dining experience.

The Herodeion

2010-12-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

No trip to Athens is complete without a trip to the Herodeion Theatre located at the heart of the culture center right under the Acropolis on Dionysiou Areopagitou Pedestrian Street. Also known as the Odeon of Herodus Atticus in Athens, The Herodeion is considered the first example of a complex of buildings dedicated to performances of the arts. The Roman philosopher, teacher and Politian Herodes Atticus built the theater in about 161 AD. The splendid, semi-circular amphitheater was dedicated to the memory of Herodes Atticus’ wife, Aspasia Regilla who died in 160 AD.

The 1,250-foot radius of the amphitheater originally seated more than 6,000 people. Various marbles and ceramic pieces decorated the original three-story wall of the stage. Marble adorned the enormous seating area; overhead, a wooden roof of cedar kept the elements out.

A renovation took place in 1950. Today, the Herodeion is the home of the Athens Art Festival, musical concerts, and classical tragedies. All this under the night sky and with exquisite acoustic experience built into the structure over two thousand years ago. So if you visit Athens in the summer, don’t miss out on a fabulous experience of Greek comedy and tragedy. Meanwhile, while you plan your sojourn to beautiful Athens, drop by Ziziki’s Dallas Restaurants for an authentic Greek dining experience - and the perfect flavor for your itinerary.

Greek Art - The Language Of Statues

2010-12-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

Can statues really talk? Don’t answer too quickly. They do talk, only not in the way we think of verbal communication. Like a lot of art, the reason for its existence focused on providing representations of the Greek gods and goddesses.

Like so many elements of modern culture (including art, Mediterranean food, politics and more), the Greeks moved art forward by a quantum leap with their sculpture during the Archaic Period (8th to early 5th century BC). Their influence provided the foundation for the later Classical and Hellenistic Greek ages and later for the Romans. Broad, well-laid foundations last. This one did right into the western sculpture we know today.

It didn’t happen over night. And like those who came after them, the anonymous Archaic Greek sculptors built on the work of the Egyptians. Perhaps because of this, the early Greek statues depicted rigid, unnatural forms similar to today’s mannequin—feet together and a blank stare on their faces. But even this was a tremendous advance because the Greeks of the Archaic Period were the first to create free-standing statues. The Greeks eventually did away with colorful adornment via paints and dyes. They paid more attention to the details of facial feature and the anatomical construction.

Look a little closer and you’ll hear better. The sculpture Kritios Boy (c. 480 BC) depicts a young man standing at rest. His body language tells us he’s on his way to somewhere—the position of his legs for the implied weight shift of walking and the subtle motion of the hips. The Greeks captured the fluidity of movement in most of their statuary.

The high point of Greek sculpture came during the Hellenistic Period (late 4th—1st Century BC). The ideas and techniques of the previous centuries blossomed to true greatness when the emphasis went onto the dynamic and extreme poses. The epitome of Hellenistic art shines in Nike of Samothrace—you can hear the wind blowing the folds of her clothing and through the feathers of the extended wings.

Perhaps the most talkative of the statues is named Laocoön, which shows the tormented Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons in a battle to the death with sea serpents intent on strangling them. This was heavy penalty for offending Apollo or Poseidon (the history isn’t clear) by warning Troy about a wooden horse. Just looking at their faces and the strain of their bodies shouts to us.

But you won’t need to shout when you take a break from the culturally rich world of Greek statuary at Ziziki’s. Our Dallas Greek restaurants provide plenty of culinary communication. Just peruse a Greek art book—after you examine our delicious Greek menu and enjoy a scrumptious meal.

Join Ziziki's Plano For A Holiday Happy Hour At Lakeside Market!

2010-12-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Ziziki's Plano invites you to the Lakeside Market Annual Tree Lighting Event!

Join us at Ziziki's Plano (Lakeside Market at Spring Valley and Preston) for Happy Hour (2pm - 7pm) this Saturday, December 4th. All activities will be FREE, as always - and it's a festive holiday event that's suitable for the whole family! There will be live music, face painting, giveaways and MORE - the party starts at 2pm.

Join Ziziki’s in Supporting Homeless Families with Children

2010-11-26T16:51:00.000-08:00

We at Ziziki's are proud to partner with a wonderful charity this holiday season - Family Gateway!

For well over 20 years, Family Gateway has helped over 7,600 homeless families - the children and their parents - recover from crisis and make positive choices for their future. These families have found themselves homeless, and this can be devastating - especially for children.

This holiday, we are partnering with this wonderful organization to support these families during the Holiday season. Please bring an unwrapped toy, game, book or gift card by any Ziziki's location - or Ziziki's Taverna - and we will make sure it goes to provide happy holiday memories for a homeless child at Family Gateway.

WHEN: November 29 - December 12
Click here to download flyer.

Now That You’re in Greece, Stroll Through the Plaka - Travel Series Part II

2010-11-23T18:40:00.000-08:00

Continuing your trip to Greece, let’s pick up after you’re rested and you’re ready to venture out to go exploring.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have is what to see first. How about a city within the city—the Plaka? It’s a microcosm of Greece spanning the remnants of the Ancients to tastes of the present day. Located under the Acropolis, two main streets intersect and run through the Plaka: Kdatheneon Street and Andrianou Street. Both are loaded with entertainment, stores, Greek restaurants, and eye candy regardless of your interests.

If you’re interested in flea markets, go down Andrianou Street to where it starts. You’ll be in the Monastiraki flea market. Wind through it and it’ll disappear at the Roman Agora. But don’t give up. You’ll find more of it behind the wall of Hadrian's Arch and Plaka Square. It’s always interesting to see what other cultures value and experience the thrill of bartering.

The Plaka is a plethora of sights, sounds and aromas. Strolling the marble streets with it's hundreds of shops, vendors and eateries is a divine experience - because from many places, looking up to the sky - one can see the ancient Acropolis looming over the Plaka.

The shops have tons of merchandise, including great tees for the kids, beautiful embroidered tablecloths, Ouzo and other aperitifs, deep orange and black colored urns, and TONS of jewelry. Our two boys have asked for worry beads - or Kombolói - which are a niche tradition used by the Greeks as a 'stress reliever' and thus, a way to relax in our busy world and lead a healthier lifestyle. Worry beads are similar to Prayer beads, although not religious in nature. A popular item and symbol of Greek pride and heritage - Greek worry beads have been used for everything from stopping smoking, to relieving anxiety.

Later back at the hotel - we sat poolside and enjoyed a Mythos beer. Baba has a shot of ouzo, a really special brand called Plumeri. I have a sip…wow is it good. So are the beers. I wish we could get Mythos beer in Dallas. Hmmm...... we'll have to check on it when we return.

The Greek Brunch

2010-11-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

We can, tie most things - of course, to the ancient greatness of Greece - but alas - brunch itself was not invented by the Greeks. Common now in many countries, brunch, or the larger meal combination of both 'breakfast' and 'lunch' was actually first seen in Britian in the late 1890's. Generally a mid-day meal (from after 10:00 AM through lunch hours), brunch is also common for family gatherings and special such as Mother's Day, Easter and other special days.

Ziziki's is great for brunch - any day! We've got a fantastic wine list for family celebrations, a full array of selections and appetizers on our menu - and a festive atmosphere to support true brunch efforts. (heavy eating, fellowship and fun!)

What's best is that our culinary efforts with regards to our own Greek brunch have been rewarded with a nomination for BEST BRUNCH in Dallas. We're up against some swanky spots and big-hitters on the Dallas restaurant scene, but we're up to the challenge and asking for your vote. Please click here to vote for Ziziki's for BEST BRUNCH on WFAA-List. It only takes a few moments - and we need your help! This would be a great honor to win - and we're so pleased that we were nominated.

A Trip to Mediterranean Paradise—Greece

2010-11-10T15:42:00.000-08:00

We recently returned from a fantastic trip to Greece, where we had the time of our lives. We traveled with Dorothy and “Baba” Costa’s Dad, who celebrated his 74th birthday while we were there. We ate marvelous Greek food, gazed out over unbelievable scenery, and met the most interesting and unique people. Rich with culture and history – Greece is a destination you’ll remember forever.

Preparing for a trip to Greece is exciting and fun to plan. The gorgeous Greek isles offer an abundance of interesting sights, which of course you want to see all of. But first, you have to prepare, plan, and then get packed. All flights being on time, we’re talking nineteen hours flight time, give or take an hour, from Dallas-Fort Worth airport, so dress comfortably and learn a few Isometric exercises to do in your seat, or up and down the aisles. The savvy traveler will have downloaded several books onto an IPod and stuffed an inflatable neck pillow into her purse so she can sit back and listen while the miles literally fly by.

If you haven’t exchanged dollars for Euros before leaving the States, you’ll want to do so at your bank (must order the day ahead) or at the airport. Here’s another tip: you’ll want to take along a European adapter and transformer for your electronics – computers, hair dryers, electric shavers, phone chargers, etc. Otherwise, you’ll be having fried circuits for breakfast instead of a hearty potato and feta omelet.

We’ve all heard the stories of cab drivers in NYC and elsewhere in the world – crazy, fast – and a little scary! It should be said that even though many of the streets are one-way in Greece, and there is at times a bit of a language barrier - the taxis in Greece are super nice! Most of the taxis are Mercedes-Benz - and the drivers take great pride in keeping their cabs spotless. Since the Olympics, Athens has an efficient clean and affordable sub-way system.

Also, when you make your hotel reservations, inquire whether there are other hotels by the same name. Because even though taxi rides are truly a treat in Greece – you could end up at the wrong hotel because there are several venues with similar names.

If there are other accommodations with the same name, get a few landmarks for reference and be sure to tell your cab driver. When you get out of the airport, chances are excellent you’ll want to go to your hotel, unwind, and catch a few winks. After you’re refreshed, you’ll be ready for the exquisite treat of playing tourist - indulging in Greek cuisine and festivities!

Instead, do a little research and planning - then a little shopping so your first stop after leaving the hotel is some of the delectable Greek restaurants. Or if you can’t go to the Mediterranean today, stop by Ziziki’s and get a delicious taste of Greece.

Tune in soon - for another installment of our adventures and inspirations from our trip to Mediterranean paradise!

A Big, Fat, Greek Thanksgiving

2010-11-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

History shows that 'giving thanks' is something that has been done in most cultures all around the world for thousands of years. The Earth provides mankind with shelter, sustenance, life - and in return, it's people have given thanks in celebration. Fall and 'harvest' festivals and ceremonies of thanksgiving took place during ancient Greek times, and many other periods throughout history.

In the ancient Greek traditions, of course - it was Demeter, the goddess of corn & grains and all things harvest - that was celebrated and honored at the festival of Thesmosphoria every Fall. The Greeks believed that it was because of her - that the Earth provided the bounty it did - and that honoring her with offerings and ceremonies would promise a new, fresh harvest each year.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated in several countries annually - and some for different reasons. Here in America, we give thanks not only for our wonderful provider, Mother Earth - but also for our ancestors having found the "New World". We all have many things to be thankful for... BUT we should point out that we're REALLY thankful for yummy GREEK FOOD here at Ziziki's.

Want to add a 'Greek twist' to your Thanksgiving celebration? Try these traditions that are known to grace the tables of Greek-Americans at Thanksgiving:

Tzatziki sauce: (or as we call it - Ziziki Sauce!) is the perfect creamy accent to any table. This traditional Greek sauce is where we got our name - and is a combination of yogurt, cucumber, and garlic. It can be eaten with bread, veggies - or alone and is part of many dishes at Ziziki's Greek restaurant in Dallas.

Be thankful for FETA: Of course, Greeks know feta is the perfect salty sidekick to wine, as well as just about anything on the table.

Don't forget: Add a Greek twist with Ziziki's! We can provide delectable Dallas catering options for your holiday event - call us or visit us at www.zizikis.com for catering menu and more information!

We're thankful! OPA!

The Greek Olive—Little Fruit With A Big Taste

2010-10-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

Greek and olive go together like Feta and cheese. Although the delicious Feta is a relative newcomer to the dining table (a mere couple of centuries old), use of the olive in Greek cuisine dates back to Minoan times. When? Oh, about 3,500 B.C. Given our human propensity to want to improve on everything, you’d think there would have been changes to the little fruit over the past 5,500 years.

Not so. The only difference between the olives used at Ziziki’s and those of yesteryears is the number of them growing on a tree. The trees have gotten broader and more expansive, which means more olives for us. These delicious fruits from the drupe family are similar apricots and peaches. You sure wouldn’t know that at a glance, but if you open each of these fruits up you’ll find a pit with a seed or two inside of it.

The best food olive—almond-sized Greek Kalamata Olives—range in length from a half to one inch. Their excellent flavor has a rich and fruity taste. Unfortunately you can’t grow this eggplant colored olive in your back yard. It’s found exclusively in Greece. If you live in 30° to 45° latitude, you might have success with one of the other types of olives your local nursery can recommend. Or, you can just go to Ziziki’s and enjoy a delicious Greek meal with a friend. While dining, impress your friend by asking if he/she knows the difference between a Black Olive and a Green Olive.

Oh, the answer . . . None beyond when they’re picked. Green olives are, well, picked green. Black olives are picked when they’re ripe.

Congratulations to ZIZIKIS and Thank You DALLAS

2010-10-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

Ziziki's wins Dallas Observer Best Greek Restaurant – 2010!

Thanks to all our customers who voted for us this year in the Dallas Observer Reader’s Pick “Best of Dallas” contest. We know Observer readers have plenty of choices in Dallas which is why we are truly humbled to win this award for the 7th time in 10 years.

Sas efcharistó̱ (Thank you) Dallas!

Click Here and go to Page 62 for the Reader's Pick

Greeks Ready For Football?

2010-10-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Greeks are fanatical about football – soccer that is. When the Greek national football/soccer league won the Euro 2004 championship, there was delirious celebrations all over the county of Greece.

Formed in 2006, The Super League Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each.

Most Greeks support one of the big three teams of greater Athens: Panathinaikos, AEK or Olympiakos. And thanks to the 2004 Olympics, the teams have two magnificent new stadiums to play in. The first two teams share the Olympic Stadium at Marousi and the Olympiakos team plays at the Karaiskaki stadium.

The Greek Football Cup, commonly known as the Greek Cup, a the Greek football competition run by the Hellenic Football Federation. Because it involves clubs of all rankings playing against each other, there is the possibility for the “underdogs” from the lower divisions to become "giant-killers" by eliminating top clubs from the tournament and even possibly winning the Cup. The current holders of the Greek Cup are Panthinaikos, who beat fellow Super League Greece team Aris in the 2010 on April 24, 2010.

To find games televised on ESPN in the states or to learn more, go to www.greeksoccer.com or www.theoffside.com.

Whether you’re tailgating an American football game or having friends over to watch Greek soccer, don’t forget to call in your football party catering onsite or carry-out catering orders to Ziziki's - we've got an all-new catering menu!

Fun Facts About Greece

2010-09-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

Of course, Greeks know how unique, timeless and rich they are as a 'culture', but what of those non-Greeks? How are they to know how cool it is to be GREEK?

We've compiled some fun and well-known facts about Greece to share a bit of the Greek culture with you, in case you are not privy to the WONDERS of all things Greek!

The yo-yo is the second oldest known toy in the world - and comes from the GREEKS (only the doll is older) It was born over 3,000 years ago in the days of ancient Greece.
Greeks are 'dancin' fools' - there are 63 different folk dances in Greece.
Cleopatra was Greek, not Egyptian - and a seriously tough cookie of a lady in her day, and responsible for a heap of accomplishments as ruler, or - female-Pharoh of Egypt..
Traditionally, Greeks have been known to celebrate their "name days", rather than their birthdays.
Americans should be familiar with this political piece of trivia: Greece is the birthplace of democracy.
Greek plays called “comedy” were written about ordinary people and often mocked leading politicians and personalities of the day - the forerunners of modern comedy shows like “Saturday Night Live”.
The early Olympic Games were celebrated as a religious festival from 776 B.C. until 393 A.D., when the games were banned for being a pagan festival because they celebrated the Greek god Zeus. The first modern-day Olympic Summer Games took place in 1896 and the host country, Greece, won the most medals with 47.
It's hilly, it's mountainous - it's GREECE! Did you know? 80% of the landscape of Greece is comprised of mountains. This means that Greeks must have great legs - (all the climbing, just saying...) and one half of the country is covered by forests and the other half is barren.
There are about 3000 islands in Greece. However, only a few hundred of them are inhabited.
Greece has an area of 131,940 sq. km., which makes it just slightly smaller than the size of Alabama. Sweet Home Greece!

Greek Cuisine 101 - Part I

2010-09-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Part I of a series of posts we’ll be doing on modern day Greek cuisine in Greece. Are your taste buds ready for this? Here we go…

Greeks spend a lot of time socializing outside their homes, and sharing a meal is one of the chief ways of doing it. The atmosphere is always relaxed and informal, with pretensions rare outside of the more “hip” parts of Athens and certain major resorts.

Although standards like kalamari and moussaka are everywhere and figure strongly in taverna fare, Greek food is considerably more complex and varied than just these well-loved dishes.

In fact, modern Greeks are rediscovering their rich rural culinary heritage, which began as simple and functional, relying on local products, and later expanded under the influence of elaborate, Anatolian-influenced recipes in the 1920’s, brought by immigrants from Asia Minor. The result is a rich and wide ranging cuisine based on fresh, raw ingredients, subtle herbs and preparation by charcoal grilling or in wood-burning ovens.

In Greece, you’ll find a plethora of local specialties, all proudly promoted: anything from whole pickled caper sprigs to smoked eels, mollusks bottle in brine to soft sheep’s cheese or thyme honey to almond syrup.

Stay tuned to future episodes as we dive into the mouth-watering facts about seafood, meats, vegetables, wine and cheeses. Yummy!

Greek Speak

2010-09-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to impress your friends by speaking Greek? Imagine greeting your friends with “yia'sou” (hello) as they walk in to meet you at a Greek restaurant or a hip Greek bar and grill. At this point they may be somewhat amused but then you proceed to ask the waiter to “parakalo' (please) bring plates of ze'sti (hot) and cri'o (cold) mezzes”. Wow! All the sudden, you’re the life of the party!

The Greek language is fascinating as it has evolved over thirty-four centuries beginning with Proto-Greek (early second millennium BC), then evolving into Mycenaean (c 1600-1100 BC), Ancient Greek (c. 800-330 BC), Koine Greek (c. 330 BC), Medieval Greek (c330-1453) and culminating with today’s Modern Greek (from 1453), which is spoken by 13 million people. Modern Greek is the official language of Greece and Cyprus and one of the 23 official languages of the European Union.

For simplicity’s sake, we used Greek words here written with the Latin alphabet rather than the Greek alphabet (as we’re assuming you haven’t had a chance to learn that yet). Using the Latin alphabet is referred to as Greeklish (Greek and English) and was developed for online communication back in the day before operating systems could handle the Greek alphabet.

If learning Greek seems, well, a little “greek” to you, parakalo' (please) don’t despair. There are many great resources on the web – some of which are even free! So start practicing your conversational Greek and bring all your friends to Ziziki’s for a fantastiko' time.

**Note: the ' indicates the accent**

Greek Festivals – Fun for the Whole Family

2010-09-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

If you’ve never been to a Greek Festival, you must put that on your “things to do before I die” list.

Your life will be vastly enriched as you stroll along tasting distinctive and super-rich Greek food, listening to upbeat Greek music and taking in the culture that is known worldwide for being rich in tradition.

A Greek festival is a tradition of culture and entertainment and is the perfect destination for great, family-friendly fun.

At Greek festivals you will typically find:

Greek gourmet food
Greek folk music - usually performed by Greek bands
Cultural exhibitions including artifacts from Greece and dances performed in costumes of old tradition
Dancing for the public under Greek tunes.

Additionally, and depending on local arrangements there are raffles and shopping for Greek jewelry, books, music, spices, etc. Many places also organize running races and other outdoor activities.

A Greek festival is an event that you should not miss! And do not worry, even if you can't dance syrtaki or hasapiko - you will still feel at home.

Ode To The Artichoke

2010-08-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

Ode to the Artichoke

The artichoke

With a tender heart

Dressed up like a warrior,

Standing at attention,

It built a small helmet under it’s scales...

~Pablo Neruda, Ode To The Artichoke

Do not let the thorny leaves of the artichoke discourage you. Within this member of the thistle family lies a treasure for the palate and a boon to the body. An important element of Mediterranean cuisine, and a native to the region, the artichoke is the edible flower bud of a thistle-like plant in the sunflower family and is eaten as a vegetable. It is low in calories and according to the USDA, one medium artichoke is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, folate, magnesium as well as a natural source of antioxidants.

We love to eat artichokes too much to let them bloom, but if we did, we’d be blessed with a beautiful lavender flower. However, judging by its popularity in international cuisines, seems most folks feel that the taste of the artichoke heart in Greek salads and artichoke dips is a worthy trade-off.

Some interesting tidbits about artichokes include:

Artichokes are one of the oldest foods know to humans.
Nearly one hundred percent of all artichokes grown commercially in the United States are grown in California.
Marilyn Monroe was the first official California Artichoke Queen in 1949.

Humm…if Miss Monroe ate artichokes, was that the secret behind her appeal? Quick, rush to Ziziki’s for your daily dose of artichokes!

Dance Like A Zorba: Getting in Touch With Your Inner Greek

2010-08-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

Greek dance is a very old tradition still very much alive all over the world and especially in Greek communities. Traditional Greek dancing is primarily a social function. It brings the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, such as weddings.

There are over 4000 traditional dances that come from all regions of Greece but the one that has probably had the largest impact on pop culture in the US is the Zorba dance - made famous by the 1964 Oscar nominated classic movie, The Greek Zorba. The trademark song of Greece, “Zorba’s Dance”, has been used at Yankee Stadium for years to incite crowd participation during a potential rally by the home team and is commonly played and danced to worldwide – not to mention in Greek tavernas.

So, if you’re looking for a way to get out of your comfort zone, check out the video below and see how it’s done. Then download the Zorba dance music to your iPod, stop by the best Greek restaurant in Dallas (Ziziki's and Ziziki's Taverna - of course) for a little 'culinary inspiration' and OPA! – you’re in touch with your inner Greek!

Feta - A Festival for the Mouth

2010-08-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the first bite of a piece of tangy, salty feta cheese to make your whole mouth come alive. Made from the milk of sheep or goat, Feta could be considered the national cheese of Greece if there was one. It's certainly a staple of Ziziki's award winning Greek cuisine.

If you love the taste then you’ll love it’s versatility – feta is not only used as a table cheese, it’s excellent in salads (Greek salad), pastries, baking (notably in the popular phyllo-based dishes spanakopita ("spinach pie") and tyropita ("cheese pie") and combined with olive oil and vegetables. It can also be served cooked or grilled, as part of a sandwich or as a salty alternative to other cheeses in a variety of dishes.

The Greek word "feta" comes from the Italian word fetta ("slice"). It was introduced into the Greek language in the 17th century. Although similar white brined cheeses called “feta” are found in the eastern Mediterranean and around the Black Sea, they are often made partly or wholly of cow's milk. Since 2002, feta has been a protected designation of origin product. According to the relevant EU legislation, only those cheeses produced in a traditional way in some areas of Greece (mainland and the island of Lesvos), and made from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep's and goats’ milk (up to 30%) of the same area, may bear the name "feta".

Go Greece!

2010-08-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

During these scorching dog days of summer, we are all looking for ways to cool off and beat the Texas heat. A visit to one of the Zizikis Dallas area restaurants (or Zizikis Taverna in Addison) for their amazing happy hour will certainly cool you off. All locations have become Dallas happy hour hotspots Monday – Friday, from 4 to 6 pm, with extra-special drink prices and $5 for select appetizers!

Their specialty drinks are only $7 and some of the best I’ve ever tasted. My favorite, the Ziziki Sunkiss, is bursting with the wonderful summer flavor of peaches. The Ziziki’s Cosmo will get any party started and the Mojito is delicious and offered in pomegranate or mango flavor for a different twist. The martinis are marvelous and come in pomegranate, lemondrop – and every girls favorite – chocolate.

Certainly, if the Texan in you is craving a margarita – Ziziki’s has those, too. For those of you watching your waistline, they offer the Skinny Margarita. This only has 100 calories – but is big on flavor.

No happy hour is complete without some amazing appetizers and Zizikis does not disappoint. The Ziziki bread, with its fresh cheese and herbs, is served with Ziziki sauce and is spectacular. Everyone’s favorite, Artichoke dip with pita, is delightful. Some other Greek favorites, Dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice), Spanakopita (fillo dough stuffed with creamy spinach, sweet onions and Feta) and Mediterranean Bread (pita topped with Feta, tomatoes, olive oil and basil) are all fabulous. They are all made with only the finest and freshest ingredients and are all offered during happy hour at the special price of $5.

So gather up your co-workers or meet your friends and loved ones at Zizikis for Happy Hour. The drinks are delicious, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is fun and inviting. Euphrosyne, the Greek goddess of good cheer, joy, mirth and merriment, will be waiting.

A History of Baklava

2010-07-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

Somewhere around 800 B.C., Greek seamen and merchants traveling to the East discovered a seriously sweet treat, which they brought back to Greece.

This tasty discovery was a combination of different ingredients - such as chopped nuts, honey and dough – and it was the precursor to Baklava.

The Greeks then refined this creation by rolling the dough paper thin (the beginnings of flaky filo pastry) and then alternating multiple layers of the dough, honey and nuts.

Today, Baklava is a truly exclusive treat. The layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup is a wonderfully sweet pastry. Baklava is the perfect ending to any Greek meal and is just simply - divine. Zeus would be proud.

At Zizikis, we offer two wonderful Baklava desserts on our menu, made only of the finest and freshest ingredients. We have Baklava Ice Cream Cake which is one of our exclusive specialties. Our secret recipe homemade Baklava is layered with vanilla bean ice cream – for a truly melt in your mouth treat. For the traditionalist, we have Yayakatina’s Baklava. Layers of filo, walnuts, cinnamon and our own Ya Ya homemade syrup complete this very tasty treat.

At Zizikis you can experience the finest Greek Restaurant in Dallas– just make sure you save room for dessert and enjoy a true taste of Baklava.

More About Chef Costa and Mary - Owners of Zizikis Restaurants

2010-07-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Ziziki's family of Greek restaurants are owned and managed by Costa & Mary Arabatzis; long-time residents and business owners in the Dallas area.

Award-winning chef, Costa Arabatzis - is no stranger to the industry, he began his restaurant career as Assistant Dishwasher in his father's restaurant in sunny California. (also where he was born) He winded his way around positions, and eventually became Assistant Manager and then, Cook.

In 1986, Costa and his father found themselves in beautiful Hawaii, where they opened the Greek Bistro on the island of Maui - and it's still a local and visitor must-try restaurant.

Costa moved to Dallas in 1990 and eventually opened Ziziki’s Restaurant with partner Mary Cloutier Arabatzis, and recently was awarded winner of the Taste of Addison - Taste The Competition contest.

Mary Arabatzis hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a graduate from Drake University in Des Moines with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

Mary 's been in big D since 1980, and has tons of feathers in her cap with regard to her former career in marketing and media relations. She was Media Supervisor at Tracy-Locke, Vice President – Media at Bozell, Inc. (currently Temerlin-McClain) and also Vice President, Media Director of NWAyer Dallas.

With regard to her position at Ziziki's, she is responsible for all the locations 'front of the house': that is - management of staff, sales & marketing, and the development of the wine list. And she's been nothing short of FABULOUS - Ziziki’s has been awarded “The Award of Excellence” by The Wine Spectator every year since 1995 - among several other outstanding awards for customer service.

For full bios on Costa & Mary - visit Ziziki's Taverna's about us page.

Talk Of The Town Award Winner

2010-06-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

We talk a lot about how WONDERFUL our Greek cuisine is, how big and delicious our gigante beans are - and you already knew that Ziziki's Taverna won the Taste of Addison Competition - but did you know that Ziziki's is also known for it's award-winning customer service? The customers have spoken - and it's not just about the food itself - it's about atmosphere, location - and how you're treated while you're with us. And Ziziki's and Ziziki's Taverna has it ALL covered.

Rated 4.5 stars for Talk Of The Town's 2010 Customer Satisfaction Excellence award - Ziziki's aims to please both the belly - AND the mind. Come experience the finest Dallas Greek Restaurant with regard to award-winning dishes - as well as an award-winning Dallas dining experience and customer service. Thanks to all who voted to make all these wonderful awards possible - you are the reason for our success!

Beauty and The Greeks

2010-06-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

For centuries, the Greeks have been known for their beauty - and wellness. The lifestyle in Greece is much more slow, and natural than it is here in the states. For natural beauty, the Greeks have known for years that the properties of yogurt - and olive oil - are perfect for all skin types - and within any beauty routine.

YOGURT FOR HEALTHY GLOWING SKIN
We all love yogurt here in the states - it's a staple of good health, great taste and healthy 'pro-biotic' properties. But back in the homeland (Greece, of course) yogurt is more than a heart-healthy and good-for-digestion snack. It's actually a highly-prized beauty treatment. Yogurt (and not the "TCBY" kind - we're talking Dannon, here - without the fruit chunks) is a natural source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It can be used on all skin types - and is a great balm/mask for sunburn. Want to try it at home? Here's how!

ZIZIKI'S YOGURT MASK
1 tablespoon natural yogurt (allow to reach room temperature - and opt for low or no-fat variety)
1 teaspoon honey (get it soft, and pliable - stick it in the microwave for a few seconds so it mixes better)
A few drops of lime juice (if your complexion is oily)

Mix ingredients together, and apply to face - leave on 15 minutes, rinse and pat dry.

OLIVE OIL GODDESS BEAUTY

Olive oil, a staple of Mediterranean food dishes - is also an ancient secret to the most beautiful complexions and hair in the world. (Need you ask? The GREEKS!) Here are several uses for your olive oil. (best to opt for extra-virgin for the purest oil and the best results - it's from the first press of the olives - and is mostly unprocessed)

You'll find olive oil as a main ingredient in tons of bath & body products such as shampoo, lip balms, soaps and lotion. But if you don't have any commercial olive oil products - grab a bottle at the grocery store and start working on a beautiful new you.

Bath: Turn your bath into a bath of the GREEK GODDESSES - with a few tablespoons of olive oil added to running water.

Makeup remover: Olive oil is an all-natural makeup remover. Certainly - don't drop it directly into your eyeball for ANY reason EVER- but use it on a cotton ball to gently remove makeup.

Foot Mask: Clean your feet and rub olive oil all around your feet, ankles and toes - then put on your favorite pair of socks before bed. When you get up - your feet (heels and all) will be soft and supple.

Shiny, Beautiful Hair: Haven't you heard that mayonnaise is a great conditioner? So is olive oil. Olive oil helps heal dandruff and repair split ends as well. Gently massage a few drops of olive oil on your scalp and hair. Leave on as long as possible - up to 30 minutes or so - then shampoo and rinse. And here's a bonus - put a few drops on your hair when it's dry - to eliminate frizz. But don't overdo this or you'll look greasy.

Make Dad BAKLAVA ICE CREAM CAKE for Father's Day

2010-06-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Father's Day - and any other special occasion - or just to cool off during the hot days of summer - Chef Costa shows us how to make YUMMY and UNIQUE Baklava Ice Cream Cake from his award winning restaurants - Ziziki's and Ziziki's Taverna.

Treat Him Like Zeus This Father's Day

2010-06-09T14:28:00.000-07:00

He may not wear a toga, and he may not have thunder at his command like Zeus, does - but he's the man of the house - the DAD, and his day is right around the corner. Father's Day is June 20th.

What are your plans for your resident Titan? A great Father's Day gift could be anything from a golf club to a fishing trip. It all depends on the dad.

But one thing that is sure to please any red-blooded man (and they ALL have red blood) is FOOD. What better way to find his heart than through his stomach, with an exclusive dining experience at one of the locally cherished Ziziki's Restaurants, or the brand new hot spot - Ziziki's Taverna in Addison.

He can enjoy award-winning cuisine and a huge selection of wines in a fun and hip atmosphere at Ziziki's Taverna - or you could treat him to more a quieter, more traditional Greek dinner at one of three Ziziki's locations in the Dallas area.

You could make it a REALLY special experience for him by inviting some of his friends - and having a Ziziki's Private Dining experience - your own special space, with a special menu (for parties of 20 or more) - just for you. But call us ahead of time if this is your plan - you'll need reservations as Private Dining space fills up fast.

Ouzo - The Greek's Favorite Pre-Dinner Drink

2010-06-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

Ouzo is an an anise-flavored drink usually consumed prior to a meal or during mezzes (small, Greek appetizer-size plates) - and a favorite of the Greeks! Many say it has a licorice-type taste, and be aware - it's a pretty strong drink! Because of it's higher sugar content, drinkers of ouzo typically feel it's effects early-on.

It can be consumed straight-up, or mixed with water. Often compared to it's similar, but stronger French counterpart, absinthe - ouzo can also be prepared by louching - which is when it's emulsified with water or ice. If you add water or ice to ouzo, it will turn milky white - because the essential oil in the anise is not soluble in water.

In modern Greece, it's found all over the country, even in very small towns and villages; and a common aperitif in the cafes and Greek restaurants. It is meant to be sipped slowly, together with mezzes or before the meal, and shared with others over a period of several hours in the early evening.

So before you order your ouzo, make sure you're planning to eat a bit, stay a while - and enjoy the atmosphere.

ZIZIKI'S TAVERNA WINS TASTE THE COMPETITION

2010-05-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

Celebrity Foodie Ted Allen awards Costa the TASTE THE COMPETITION grand prize for proving a yummy twist on a traditional dish - LEG OF LAMB GYRO! Visit Ziziki's Taverna to try them for yourself - and come to Taste of Addison this weekend - Hope to see you there!

Taste The Competition

2010-05-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Taste of Addison is a huge event (May 21-23) that provides visitors with the tastiest food, music, and fun that Addison, Texas has to offer. It includes 55 restaurants that serve samples from their menus at reduced price, and there's an awesome line up of entertainment including Chris Cagle and Luke Bryan. For the family, there are carnival rides and midway games and tons of other attractions.

Ziziki's Taverna is proud to be a part of this exciting event this year! Watch culinary magic happen in our video below - with our Chef (and Ziziki's Owner) Costa making his exclusive specialty dish - Leg of Lamb Gyros.

This is a great opportunity for you to come out and try some of our delicious food - at a great price. Ziziki's is going to be offering a variety of our most favored entrees for a price that is unbelievable! Here are some of the deals we will be offering during the Taste of Addison event:

Sliced Leg of Lamb Ziziki (Gyro) $6.00
Artichoke Dip w/ Pita $4.00
Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas) $2.00
Bud Light, Domestic Beer (16 oz) $3.00
Premium Wine (red or white) $5.00
Bottled Water $2.00

LEG OF LAMB GYROS

VOTE for Ziziki's Taverna - Taste The Competition

2010-05-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to announce that Ziziki's Taverna is one of 3 finalists in the Taste the Competition contest at the Taste of Addison Festival coming up the weekend of May 21st.

We'll be making an exclusive appearance Friday, May 21st on Good Morning Texas with celebrity foodie Ted Allen - who will also be part of the panel that will select with winner.

We're really excited and know we can win - but we need your help!

Let your voice be heard by voting for Ziziki's Taverna in the Taste The Competition People's Choice Award!

For more details on the festivities surrounding Taste of Addison - visit the Town of Addison website.

Come by and visit us at our booth - we'll be serving up Costa's special dish and a few other Ziziki's favorites!

Volos Taverna is now Ziziki's Taverna

2010-04-29T10:52:00.001-07:00

We couldn't be more excited to announce a name change for our new "sister" restaurant, Volos Taverna. Our new name.......drum roll please......

Our name change allows us to extend the success of our Ziziki's brand to our new concept in Addison Walk.

In the first two months we received a tremendous amount of feedback from customers who spoke to Costa and Mary Arabatzis at Volos and requested that some of their favorite Ziziki dishes and more of the premium wines be added. Ziziki's Taverna will continue to feature mezzes...Greek and Italian cuisine presented on small plates. We've just added a few of your Ziziki's favorites like Calamari and Chicken and Lamb Souvlaki!

This name changes captures the essence of our company and more accurately reflects our mission and products that appeal to all of our very special customers! Please come and join us at Ziziki's Taverna for a casual Mediterranean experience!

Sincerely,

Costa & Mary Arabatzis
Ziziki's Restaurants

Beans of the Gods

2010-04-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

When you think of the word “Giant” you probably think about the fictional characters (depending on your era...) Shrek or the Incredible Hulk, but I can - with certainty - guarantee, that you probably do not think about a bean.

So - visualize the host of Greek gods on Mt. Olympus - (they're probably bigger than we are, right?) -rest sure that if they're eating beans - they're Greek style Gigante Beans.

A GIGANTE bean is a type of bean originating from the Mediterranean. They are a very large, flat bean - usually about one inch or more in length which is extremely large compared to your typical beans such as navy, pinto or other beans. And of course - being a bean - they're the perfect meal and alaways a great source of protein and fiber.

For Lunch - enjoy a mouth watering plate of gigante beans. These beans are straight from Florentine Greece and are baked with plum tomatoes, Feta, and pancetta. These Mezzes will truly leave you with your mouth watering for more.

For Dinner - Why not try as a side dish with something just as delicious like rack of lamb. Being the Greeks we are - we always serve with grilled asparagus and - you guessed it - gigante beans!

Since gigante beans can be kind of tricky to find and cook, (they are considered a specialty) come try them with us - at one of our Ziziki's Restaurants or at the new and hip Addison restaurant Volos Taverna. The GREEKS knows what they are doing with this specialty - it's one of the most prized and favorite dishes!

Mother's Day With Greek Style

2010-04-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Join Us at All Three Ziziki’s Restaurants for a Special Mother’s Day Brunch Featuring Complimentary Mimosas or Champagne.

Our regular dinner menu will be offered for dinner on Mother’s Day.

Treat Your Mom To Ziziki’s Mother’s Day Brunch!

You'll enjoy:

A Complimentary Glass of Champagne or Mimosa

A flavorful selection of your favorite Ziziki’s items:
Spanakopita, Dolmades, Mediterranean Salad, Greek Island Chicken, Rigatoni with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce, Baklava

Plus these signature brunch items:

Mediterranean Shrimp
House Smoked Salmon with
Bagels & Herbed Cream Cheese
Buttermilk Pancakes with Cinnamon Syrup
Greek Scrambled Eggs with Feta Cheese & Basil
Roasted Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Sauce
Ya Ya Katina’s Baklava

3 seatings at 11AM, 12:30PM & 2:00PM

$24.95 per person

We accept VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Diners Club
17% gratuity added to all parties of six or more.

Reservations are recommended for any size party; and if you have a party of 20-40 please consider our private VIP dining room at our Travis Walk location, and semi private dining room at our location on Preston Road, Dallas.

Ziziki’s has three locations:

Ziziki's Travis Walk, Dallas at
4514 Travis Street #122
Dallas, Texas, 75205
for reservations call 214-521-2233.

Ziziki's Preston/Forest, Dallas at
11661 Preston Road #309
Dallas Texas 75230
for reservations call 469-232-9922.

Ziziki's Lakeside Market, Plano at
5809 Preston Rd. #578
Plano, Texas, 75093
for reservations call 972-943-8090.
If you have any questions, please call Mary Arabatzis, owner, at 972-567-5052.

Giada Visits Plano Texas

2010-03-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever watched the Food Network, then you probably know who Giada is! She will be at Sur La Table on April 7th to sign copies of her new book - visit our website for the flyer!

Sur La Table is in Lakeside Market off Preston between Park and Spring Creek in Plano right next to Ziziki’s. Why not join us for lunch before or after this event. We have a beautiful outdoor patio so you’ll have a front row seat to all the excitement and there will be live music and entertainment throughout the day. So stop by and enjoy the best Greek-Italian cuisine in Plano!

Don't Wine About The Wine

2010-03-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

Whether it is a night out with your girlfriends or a romantic dinner with your spouse, “wine” not… wine and dine? There are a variety of wines with a variety of flavors to choose from. Every wine has its own unique taste depending on which type of grape and region it came from.

Greece is one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world. In Ancient Greece the reputation of the wine was based on where the wine came from and not the individual producer of the wine. Wine was a very important part of Greek history, which would take pages to explain, so let’s move on to the mouth watering part of Greek history; that is the different types of wines!

First of all you might be wondering why is white wine not really “white”? Most white wines are a yellow/golden color. This is because white wines are made from the grape juice and the grape skin of gold, green, or yellow grapes. It can also be made from the juice of a red grape but not the skin( usually in champagne). Drinking white wine is most common when consuming a lighter meal such as lunch or an appetizer. It is also great during the spring and summer because it is a lighter more refreshing type of wine. Have you ever tried a white wine? ...Well if not, the most common white wines that are served in our restaurant today are Chardonnay and Champagne.

Unlike white wine, red wine is actually red. It might not always look red, but it usually is considered a shade of red on the color scale. This wine is actually true to its name because the grapes that are used to make this kind of wine are red, deep purple, and even blue. They receive their unique color and name because during the fermentation process the skins of the grapes are actually in contact with the juices which creates a wide variety of deep colors. When drinking red wine you want to make sure that the temperature is just right. If it is to warm the wine will have an overwhelming taste of alcohol. If the wine is too cold it will have an extremely bitter taste, this is why all red wines should be served at room temperature. Some of the most common red wines at Ziziki's and Volos Taverna are Cabernet and Pinot Noir.

Choosing the right wine might be difficult, but once you find it you will be asking yourself… “ ‘wine not’ go out for the perfect glass of wine tonight.”

Ziziki's Named Best Of Dallas Finalist

2010-03-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

Ziziki’s has been named a finalist in D Magazine’s first-ever Best of Big D: Reader’s Choice Poll!

Every August, D Magazine publishes its Best of Big D issue, wherein the editors name their favorites. This year, they’re giving their readers a chance to vote for their favorites.

Ziziki’s is thrilled to have been selected by the D Magazine Editors as a finalist for the BEST DESSERT IN DALLAS – FEATURING our Baklava Ice Cream Sundae!

We need your help … support us by clicking on the link and voting for Ziziki’s Best Dessert in Dallas. It only takes a few minutes and it would mean so much to us. You can vote as often as you want – but only once a day. We value and appreciate your business and support.

Click here to VOTE NOW!

With gratitude,
Costa & Mary Arabatzis

Volos Grand Opening A Success

2010-03-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Volos Taverna’s GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION on Thursday, March 4th was a smashing success! We are very proud to announce that we raised $1,000 for our favorite charity, Family Gateway!

We celebrated the night away with friends and family, the Town of Addison Council Members, Joe Chow, Mayor of Addison and many local prominent business owners in the Addison area. Guests enjoyed a full sampling of our hot and cold mezzes.

Check out the photos from the night. We hope you’ll stop in soon and see for yourself why Volos is the hottest new restaurant in Addison. OPA!

Think Of Greece - Think Of OLIVES!

2010-03-19T15:29:00.000-07:00

When you think of olives, you imagine a little bowl on a bar counter, ordering a small bowl to go with your meal at a restaurant, or in your martini . They are also very popular because of the oil that they produce, but what do you really know about where they came from?

Olives are grown on olive trees that are native to the Mediterranean area. They are an evergreen tree or shrub that is very short, usually no taller than 50 feet. These trees are incredibly strong. Olive trees last for many years, but usually don’t start growing the actual fruit until they are about 6 or 7 years old. These trees are grown in abundance in the Mediterranean countries. There are about 18 million tons of trees produced each year with 95% of them being from the Mediterranean area.

Every type of olive comes from a different area, therefore there are not all kinds of different olive trees in one area. The different kinds of olives are Empeltre, Hojiblanca, Lechin, Picual, Cornicabra, Verdial, Arbequina, Picudo and varieties. There are also the most common olives in the United States, which are the black and green olives. Each one of these olives have a different taste depending on where they are grown, inside or outside, the heat, and the soil. These are all factors that change the taste of olives! Olives are harvested at the green stage but can be left to ripen which darkens their color and we get what we know as black olives.

Olives are used in a variety of ways. They can be eaten whole or cultivated into oil. In kitchens all over the world, olive oil is the most common cooking oil. It is also very common to have olive oil salad dressings. Just like traditional mediterranean kitchens, Ziziki’s uses olive oil for cooking too. For example- our calamari is lightly sautéed with olive oil, white wine, and lemon. Another favorite dish with olive oil is our shrimp, it is marinated to perfection with olive oil and herbs. If you are looking for a delicious appetizer that is sure to please your Greek craving the artichoke dip & pita bread should be your number one choice; it is even served with whole kalamata olives. You can also just order a few olives on the side with any of our dishes if you would please.

After all, the Ziziki’s menu would not be so perfect unless it served foods that were full of strong flavors, like olives and garlic. These are the backbone to the every Greek meal, So come on “oliver” and eat a "Big Fat Greek Dinner"!

Easter Brunch and Dinner With Zizikis

2010-03-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

Join Us at All Three Ziziki’s Restaurants for a Special Easter Sunday Brunch Featuring Complimentary Mimosas or Champagne. Our regular dinner menu will be offered for dinner on Easter Sunday.

Hop Over to Ziziki’s Easter Sunday Brunch!

Complimentary Glass of Champagne or Mimosa

A flavorful selection of your favorite Ziziki’s items: Spanakopita, Dolmades, Mediterranean Salad, Greek Island Chicken, Rigatoni with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

Plus these signature brunch items…

Mediterranean Shrimp
House Smoked Salmon with Bagels & Herbed Cream Cheese
Buttermilk Pancakes with Cinnamon Syrup
Greek Scrambled Eggs with Feta Cheese & Basil
Roasted Leg of Lamb with Red Wine Sauce
Ya Ya Katina’s Baklava
Chocolate Easter Eggs for all Kids

3 seating’s at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm

$24.95 per person

Lower Greenville Dallas

2010-03-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

When we see the huge flames roaring and hear the sirens of fire trucks we only hope that everyone is going to be okay and safe. A fire is a tragedy that can touch so many people in such a little time. It can destroy a large structure in just a few minutes, but it cannot destroy the faith of the people touched by it. As we all know or have heard a very important part of Dallas was destroyed by a fire on Tuesday March 2, 2010.

The fire roared through lower Greenville very quickly and destroyed four very well known businesses to that area. These Businesses included: Terilli's Restaurant & Bar, Mick's Pub, the Hurricane Grill and the Greenville Bar and Grill. Although we cannot replace the historical meaning that these restaurants had on lower Greenville, we can help the owners and people out who held these places closest to their heart get back in business!

Since the businesses that were affected by this fire are temporarily out of commission until they can rebuild, there are many employees finding themselves without jobs. With the economy, finding a job isn’t as easy as it seems, but Ziziki’s is offering a great opportunity to those employees affected by this tragedy. Ziziki’s at Travis Walk location is here to help out in every way possible by offering jobs to those who are looking for employment! Please see Bobby in the evenings if you are interested.

Not only is Ziziki’s helping out lower Greenville but so has the community. Everyone in the surrounding area has come together to help rebuild. It is such an important part of Dallas’s attractions and history. There is plenty of help that is still needed to get these businesses back on their feet.

Donations are welcome to help out this awful tragedy. Also on Saturday March 13, 2010 The LGNA (Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association) will be selling t-shirts that were donated by them at the block party between Vanderbilt and Vickery. These T-shirts will be $10 dollars each and all of the proceeds will go to help this cause.

So when a tragedy strikes a part of our history we all have to come together to give them a boost to get back on their feet, because we all know if this was our business they would be doing everything they could to help us too.

Wine Tour - Zizikis Dallas Travis Walk

2010-03-05T19:18:00.000-08:00

Ziziki’s Restaurant at Travis Walk will feature a special wine tour/dinner on Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 6-10PM with guest speaker Dominique Moran, Regional Manager of Maisons, Marques & Domaines. The menu will pair Ziziki’s familiar menu items and some new mezzes (small plates) from Volos Taverna, Ziziki’s new sister restaurant, with these great ports and wines from Europe.

“From Port To Port Ziziki’s Wine Tour”

Ramos Pinto La Crima “Tears of Christ” White Port
Portugal
Roederer Brut Champagne
Reims France
2007 Schlumberger Pinot Blanc
Alsace France
2005 Marques de Murrieta Reserve Rioja
Spain
2005 Pio Cesare Barolo
Piedmont Italy
Ramos Pinto 10 Yr Tawny Ervamira Port
Portugal

$49 per person

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
6-10PM

Welcome To Dallas - VOLOS TAVERNA

2010-02-20T16:57:00.000-08:00

When Volos is mentioned, I have thoughts of the beautiful port city in Thessaly near the Greek mainland.. not far from Athens, Greece.

Now, Volos will hold new thoughts (and yummy ones, too) in our minds as Zizikis opens the Volos Taverna in Addison.

Costa and Mary Arabatzis decided to open a sister concept of Zizikis and will focus on delicious Greek cuisine and influence Dallas has come to love with Zizikis. The Volos menu will be a bit smaller - and their vision is an affordable, exclusive and friendly wine bar with a selection of scrumptious mezzes, or Greek appetizers - as well as some of variations on some of the favorites from the Zizikis menu.

Costa created the small plated items and they are all priced perfectly for either a romantic dinner for two, the family or a night out with friends. The menu features a wide variety of appetizers as well as several new dishes.

Costa describes one on his new dishes “a beautifully sautéed chicken with lemon and a white wine sauce, served with gigante beans from Greece, they're like fava beans, they're BIG. They're done with a little prosciutto and some roasted tomatoes or bell peppers"

They added in two more dips to compliment their famous artichoke hummus dip. The eggplant dip or Greek caviar (Tarama) is certain to be a favorite and they will introduce flatbread to the menu, which has not be a selection until now.

Most of the establishment located at 5000 Belt Line Road at the Addison Walk will be the bar with the rest being seating for patrons for food. The bar is long with breathtaking dark colors and certainly is a sight.

You can also visit the original Zizikis at Travis Walk, the Preston location or the Lakeside Market in Plano. Whichever location you decide, one of the Zizikis family of restaurants will certainly become one of your favorites!

Going Greek In Dallas

2010-02-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

Ziziki’s is a fast growing, upscale greek restaurant with an outstanding line of Greek and Italian Cuisine. They opened the very first Ziziki’s at Travis Walk in July of 1994. Since 1994, the owners, Mary and Costa Arabatzis, have been providing outstanding food in a warm and inviting environment. The opening of this restaurant marked the beginning of a long road to success!

With the owner’s restaurants blooming in Dallas, they decided to make a life changing decision to move to Maui, where they would open an additional Ziziki’s restaurant. You may be thinking to yourself, “Why Maui?” The couple choose Maui because they had a growing family, and what better place to raise a family than on an island that is truly magical. The opening of this new location in Maui seemed as if it was going to be a successful business decision, but the business was soon affected - as so many businesses were - by the 9/11 attacks on the United States. This tragedy nearly wiped out business for all of Maui’s restaurants. With sales slipping and cost rising at all of the locations, the Arabatzis were faced with another important decision.

After a lot of soul searching, the couple decided to close the Maui location and return to Dallas to focus on the growth of their other locations. In order for the growth of the Dallas locations to continue, they had to make some changes. These changes would involve managing operations themselves, and address the rising food cost. After realizing the changes that needed to be made they quickly addressed them. With the smart business decisions of the owners following the 9/11 attacks and the devastating impact it had on the economy and business, Ziziki’s remains no less than brilliant! There's more than just great food at Ziziki's - there's great ownership.

Given that it has been 15 years since the original Ziziki's location opened, it comes as no surprise that the brand has expanded, and continues to be successful. Since the original opening of the restaurant they've added on two additional private dining rooms, which are a great place to host a private party or a company lunch, and an expanded kitchen to accommodate the needs of the additional seating.

In addition to the original Zizikis at Travis Walk, Mary and Costa have opened two other locations in the Dallas Area. They opened their second location in North Dallas in the Shops of Spanish Village, but in 2005 moved the restaurant to the renowned Preston Hollow location which is located at the corner of Preston and Forest.

In 2008, Zizikis announced the opening of their third location, in Plano, which has a modern approach to Zizikis traditional bar. It is located in the Lakeside Market area of Plano.

So the next time you are craving a delicious Greek meal or just a unique place to hang out, stop by one of our three locations and be a part of our history in the making!

Valentine's Day - From The Greeks?

2010-02-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

If we were in Greece on Valentine’s Day, we might be visiting the Pink Palace Hotel on Corfu, or heading to the Athens Backpackers Hotel for their “Big Pink Party”. Or maybe - just possibly - we might be just spending a warm sunny day on one of the Greek Isles.

Because Greek mythology traces Valentine’s Day to the marriage between Zeus and Hera - Valentine's Day in Greece is known as HIGHLY romantic. Handsome young men and their beautiful women spend the entire day together proclaiming their love to one another because Eros (as Greeks say, but known as Cupid in Roman mythology) is the cause of the emotion and love - and is very present during Valentine's Day. Eros was the young son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty and I think we can take it from there and remember the history.

Unfortunately many of us aren't lucky enough to spend Valentine’s Day in Greece - and for those of us who aren't there, we can to bring the romance of Greek tradition to us on Valentine's Day.

Start your dinner off at Ziziki’s in Dallas with Greek Paella or maybe their Greek God’s Platter made up of Pistachio, Spanakopita and Lamb Souvlaki, or choose a prix-fixe menu offering customized for the Valentine's Day. Enjoy the atmosphere at Ziziki’s, it's enough to make you fall in love with the warm modern décor and music.

After dinner enjoy a cup of Greek finely ground cup of coffee from Ziziki's Coffee Bar and possibly some Baklava Ice Cream Cake or a warm piece of Chocolate Liquor cake, surely to warm up your senses.

If we can’t be on the Greek Isles, bring the air of love from Greece to us by visiting Ziziki’s this Valentine’s Day.