Το Γραμένο — Restaurant in Municipality of Kantanos-Selinon

The food here was so bad last night it actually prompted me to cook breakfast in my rental apartment this morning. Given the good reviews others had left, I was wondering if the bar has been set so low in this town that perhaps this was the standard. Not only that, it was actually recommend by a local, maybe in an attempt to keep the travellers out of the nice restaurants? I have guided 8 year old children through making better meals than I'd been served here. Without a doubt, the worst dinner I've had the displeasure of eating in not just Crete, but all of Greece in my 3 trips spanning several months. There's home cooking, and then there's lacking basic culinary technique. The chef came to visit to float about he made a hamburger stuffed with some salty cheese, and then put some more cheese on top, by far the worst meal on the table... And I considered giving this old man an earful... But then I thought: At his age and considering the language barrier for me, there was simply nothing I could explain to this dilettante so he'd understand how many basic culinary mistakes he'd made tonight. However, I'll summarise for you here... The stuffed calamari was dry and, as they admitted: cooked in the morning and microwaved for dinner. It wasn't hot enough so I sent it back for more microwaving. The meatballs with cheese inside was so salty even the cat wouldn't eat it, kitty just looked at us as if we'd tried to feed him wood jerky. And as if that wasn't enough, they put tasty cheese strips on top... As for the Saganaki, they put 4 types of cheese together so they all curdled in the oven... Wasn't even remotely Saganaki, it was just aweful. The pork with orange was just ok, I mean it was edible, it just didn't taste like orange. The bread was nice, I'm 100% sure they didn't make that. Oh, and the wine was without a doubt watered down, I'm not even kidding, it actually had water in it. As for breakfast this morning? Amazing, thank you...

This is probably the first time I've written anything negative about the food in Crete and it pains me to do it. Based on the Google reviews of 4.9 and a recommendation from our host we set off with high expectations. To say we were bitterly disappointed is an understatement.

Firstly the staff were brilliant and very nice.

We ordered a variety of things so we could tantalize our taste buds and I was excited that one of the specials was my beloved Moussaka. The taste of nutmeg was overpowering and the mince lacked flavour or any depth. It was ok but disappointing.

The stuffed squid came out cold and when sent back for reheating they heated the outside of it not the inside stuffing, not that it would've helped as it again lacked any flavour, still the cats had a great dinner.

The stuffed meatball is something I'd expect a 10 year old to dish up on his first attempt at cooking who had a cheese obsession. The beetroot salad was a plate of pickled beetroot and the saganaki cheese was edible but like all the dishes lacked any level of flavour too move the goal post from ok to nice or even good.

Oh and let's not forget how my glass of Rosè was more like watered down Merlot....whatever red wine the gave me it was watered down and NOT a Rosè

All in all disappointing and if I had cooked it for my own family i'd have apologised profusely, thrown it out and...

A most enjoyable dining experience! The restaurant is located above the road, in a covered area with tables also under the trees. It is well lit and there are fans to keep the air moving. The ambiance is good, the service friendly and speedy and the Traditional Cretan food nicely presented, with generous portions and plenty of variety. I am not a food expert, so cannot comment on some of the more exotic dishes as I am content with Greek food which is fresh, nutritious and represents good value.

It is a family business, so do not be surprised if the proprietor and chef comes to your table to join you in a little raki and to seek...