Georges Yard — Restaurant in Municipality of Festos

WE ARE OBSESSED WITH THIS RESTAURANT!!! We were SO well looked after at George's Yard and immediately were welcomed when we arrived. Our two waitresses always checked in on us at just the right times like they had a sixth sense and just knew. Even if it was to ask us how we were going and how we like the food. Which for us, we are not used to having staff ask us this in Australia. It was incredibly difficult to choose from the menu because we naturally just wanted to order the entire thing because it was so well curated. The way the vegetables are cooked, to how the octopus is prepared... there is truly nothing like it and we have obviously been eating amazing food in Greece. But this was next level. The smokiness of the vegetables, the variety of flavours and textures from the mixed appetiser plate we got...I have a degree in English & Cultural Studies and I am lost for words to truly articulate the wonderful food, service & environment of George's Yard. The desserts we had - chocolate souffle and strawberry cheesecake...the tastes and textures of both are what I imagine Heaven would be like. I also want to note something very important here: YES, THERE ARE CATS HERE. GUESS WHAT? THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RESTAURANT. We were disgusted with some of the reviews we saw from other tourists about the cats here as if the owner and staff have any control over this. We are in Greece, we are in Crete. Anyone knows (unless you have been living under a rock) that this is a country that has a lot of stray cats. To allude the staff as being 'unhygienic' is not only ridiculous, but untrue. I understand some people are allergic to cats, but the staff and owner very obviously have no control over the stray cat population. Use some basic common sense, omg. Sorry for my very long review, but when I am passionate about an amazing business, especially family run - there is no stopping me. It must be my neighbourly Italian roots coming through. We love it here. You come to Matala, you come to George's Yard. End of...

We came with a group of 10. they sat us on a bench like farm chickens and refused to add another table.

We ordered two bottles of sparkling water, but that order was messed up.

The house wine was good but served warm. We asked for another liter, chilled, but they forgot.

For ten people, they brought us three tiny plates of olive oil and bread (see picture).

In the first hour of wait, they only managed to bring us three appetisers.

An hour later, we still had no food, no water, and no wine, but the staff, who we later found out were family, were just chitchatting. It didn't even cross their minds to check on the guests that support their livelihoods!

I went up to the owner, who by now was drunk, and explained in a calm way if he could bring us the wine we ordered an hour ago, as well as some water. He sent his wife instead, who started an argument with me. She suggested we should leave because she didn't appreciate me being upset about how they were ruining our evening by not taking care of us. We were glad to take her advice and leave.

Disorganized, incompetent, and arrogant....

We were left disappointed after following the impressive reviews. Good house wine and appetizers and salad. Main dishes, really bad . Took their advice to take the tuna, but struggled to eat it, sincerely forced myself and left most of the second piece. Tuna steak must be cooked rare (they asked how and I specifically requested this) but it was overcooked and not eatable (like this tuna becomes dry, salty, chewy). Unfortunately ruined the dinner. They saw that I left the food on the plate and I explained to them, and the lady recognized that it was well-done (not even medium) instead of rare. They offered the sweet and raki as every restaurant in Crete does anyway after dinner and the lady said they hope this makes up for the poorly cooked main dish. This obliges me to write this negative review. A sincere restaurant should take initiative in taking responsibility for their mistake, and not wait for a customer to complain and insist compensation. In general this town is a low quality touristy corner and hence a negative shock after a superb week in the truly authentic...