Periplous Restaurant — Restaurant in Municipality of Chania

The Divine Ambrosia of Chania**

In the heart of Chania, nestled along the glittering coastline where the Aegean sea lazily kisses the shore, lies a restaurant that is less a mere dining establishment and more a hallowed sanctuary for the epicurean soul. This establishment, let us call it The Divine Ambrosia, offers a singularly ineffable experience that simultaneously embraces both the senses and the soul.

Views that Transcend the Mundane

From the moment one steps into this haven, one is greeted by views that can only be described as transcendent. The vista from the open terrace is a tapestry of azure waters and sun-kissed skies, and as the sun prepares for its daily descent, the heavens explode into a kaleidoscope of oranges, pinks, and purples that even the most gifted of artists would be hard-pressed to replicate. It’s the sort of view that inspires poetry—or at the very least, inspires the sort of silence where words become superfluous.

A Staff with the Grace of a Ballet and the Knowledge of a Librarian

The staff, bless their charmingly polished souls, glide between tables with an elegance that suggests they might well have waltzed straight out of a particularly refined ballroom. They are not merely servers; they are connoisseurs, philosophers, and occasional therapists who anticipate your every need with an uncanny prescience. Their cultured conversation is as enlightening as the meal is delectable, adding an extra layer of pleasure to your dining experience.

Culinary Wonders

Now, to the fare. Oh, dear reader, the culinary delights at The Divine Ambrosia are nothing short of a gastronomical opus. The crayfish on brioche, for instance, is a revelation—a marriage of tender, succulent crayfish nestled lovingly within the warm embrace of perfectly toasted brioche. It’s the kind of dish that elicits quiet murmurs of delight from even the most stoic of diners.

Then, there is the lobster pasta, a creation that elevates the humble noodle to new heights of glory. The pasta, bathed in a rich, velvety sauce that whispers of garlic and white wine, is adorned with chunks of lobster so fresh you’d swear they’d leapt straight from the sea onto your plate. It's an ode to culinary craftsmanship and a reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life are the most extraordinary.

An Atmosphere of Reverent Tranquility

In this sanctuary of flavors, the atmosphere is one of quietude and peace. Conversations are held in hushed tones, laughter is soft and genuine, and the gentle clinking of glasses creates a soothing symphony. This tranquil ambiance is further elevated by an impressive wine list, curated with a sommelier’s love for the vine. Whether you’re in search of a robust red or a crisp white, you’ll find a bottle that perfectly complements the culinary artistry before you.

Conclusion

The Divine Ambrosia is not merely a place to eat; it is an experience that lingers long after the meal has ended. It’s a reminder that in a world brimming with chaos, there exists a sanctuary of sublime flavors, where sunsets are masterpieces, and dining is an art form. So, dear friend, make your pilgrimage to this temple of taste, where every bite is a benediction, and every moment is to be savored like a rare and...

We chose this restaurant to celebrate our anniversary together. Upon arrival, we were given a lovely table with a beautiful view, just as promised. The starter arrived fairly quickly, served with bread. My partner and I enjoyed it — it was fine.

However, after that we waited an hour for our main course. When we eventually asked if it would be much longer, the dishes were brought out soon after, accompanied by an apology that something had gone wrong in the kitchen. For €36, the portion of meat was small, lukewarm, and clearly had been sitting for a while before it was served. The dish also came with mushrooms, which were strikingly sour. Normally that kind of contrast can enhance a dish, but in this case the sourness was overpowering.

When my partner asked for the bill, the staff seemed to sense we weren’t entirely satisfied. It took quite a while before we actually received it, and I suspected they were preparing to offer something. Indeed, we were given complimentary tiramisu — a kind gesture, of course, but neither of us really wanted it at that point. We were ready to leave, having already been there for quite some time.

When the bill finally arrived, it showed two amounts, and it wasn’t clear which one we were supposed to pay. The waitress took the bill back and returned to explain that the tiramisu had now been removed. A rather careless mistake, if you ask me.

As a woman, I couldn’t help but notice that whenever sympathy was sought for the errors that had been made, the staff directed their gaze at me. That might be something cultural in Greece, but when it came to ordering and paying, all attention was on my (male) partner. Yet when it came to handling complaints, they suddenly engaged with me instead.

All in all, it was an experience — not the worst, not the best. But for that price, it left a sour taste in our mouths… or perhaps that was just...

Unfortunately, our experience here was less than pleasant. Although the restaurant was mostly empty and it being almost 10pm already, we (a couple) were not offered one of the waterside tables, which were for 4 people. Ok,I can look past that. The evening continued with a 15min wait until we received any attention from the wait staff (the waiter who finally served us was friendly and knowledgeable, and the wine we got was good). We were served our Greek salad, which was excellent and the only reason I am giving 3 stars and not 2. This was the end of the pleasant part of the evening. The octopus that arrived after was overcooked, and not just slightly overcooked but some pieces were properly shoe sole material. It continued with the catch of the day, which was decent but nothing special. The vegetables that were served with it were plain and completely cold. In an almost empty restaurant with 5 wait staff around -I do not understand how this can happen. When I told the waitress, we were met with arrogance and did not even get an apology. We then were served some small glasses of dessert wine on the house, which was a nice gesture but unfortunately I did not drink mine because my glass still had lipstick from the previous guest on it. Needless to say, we decided not to get dessert. I also had the feeling throughout the evening like we were treated as inferior to the other tables, who were all mid-50s couples or groups, I suppose they looked like they had...