O Ntinos — Restaurant in Municipality of Tinos

Update 2024:

I’m updating my review to reflect a significant decline in my experience this year, primarily due to the frustrating reservation process and a complete absence of communication. The warm, personal touch that made my previous visit so memorable has been replaced by a cold and impersonal online booking system. Instead of offering alternative dates or times, the website simply states that there’s no availability, leaving you to guess when you might be able to secure a reservation.

I attempted to make a reservation for two in August, a busy season, and another for a group of over 20 people in June. I had hoped to discuss the menu and other details for the group booking, but I couldn’t get through to anyone on the phone. All I received was a message directing me to the online system, with no option to speak to someone directly. This lack of communication was incredibly frustrating and left me feeling disconnected from what used to be a very welcoming establishment.

While the food and ambiance remain excellent, the overall experience has suffered greatly. A restaurant is more than just its cuisine; service and hospitality are crucial components that have been sorely lacking this time around. I hope they reconsider their approach and restore the level of personal service that once set them apart.

For now, I’m leaving my original review below but adjusting my rating to reflect the disappointing changes in service and communication.

I came here today, early June 2021, for a Saturday evening early dinner, at around 19 hours. Let me start from the scenery. It is spectacular, I have no words. We also enjoyed the sunset, yes there is a bonus view to that, so even though it was random the choice of time was perfect. Now let’s go to the hospitality. I called an hour early to book a table, I recommend you do that way earlier, we were lucky to find a table, but even if you don’t, you will be treated nicely. Our table was on the second row, although they offered a front row table, but we would have had to give it up before a certain time. I knew we would have finished by then, but we were on holidays and we don’t like pressure. Kudos for the recommendation though. We were a bit skeptical for bringing our dog, it is a big one, wondering if it would be welcome. It was almost more welcome than us, we felt so relaxed for it. A bonus for their hospitality, we received a fish soup, called kakavia, as an opening to what we ordered. I recommend the Greek salad, the feta cheese on it is excellent. Now let’s go to the main thing. We had the schrimp pasta. Think of the best one you have ever had, that was a bit better. The pasta perfectly cooked to my taste, spices in excellent balance, the tomato sauce was almost not there, just to get the idea, and all the sauce mostly coming from the shrimps. Like the perfect schrimp pasta. I rate it for 10/10. As for the quantity, take it as a challenge, you can’t eat the recommended portions. I...

Since, we did like the place and the management seems to care about customer feedback, I'll try to make my review as constructive as possible.

Starting with the good parts, the staff is really friendly and attentive. They treated us with a complimentary fish soup (kakavia) for starters and a scoop of ice cream for dessert. Both were really good. Moreover, the amount of food was rather generous and the quality was good. Last but not least, the grilled sardines dish was delicious and rather generous for its price.

For the not so good parts:

a) when you are seated they bring you a bottle of water and some bread along with the utensils. Both of those are charged (€3 and €2/person respectively). It would be better that the waiter asks first, or communicate the fact that these things are charged, handsomely. I didn't mind the €3 for the bottle of water, but €4 for less than half loaf of bread, is ridiculous. I have to say here, that we did return the bread and it was subtracted from the bill, promptly.

b) the staff is very friendly, but at times this whole routine feels forced. I think those practices are outdated, that is, to make an extra effort to appear really friendly. I think being polite and sporting a friendly smile is more than enough.

c) some dishes seem pretentious. We got the salad with the beet roots, potatoes, carrots, grilled onion and the "soil" from blended carob crackers and, although, the concept and the presentation were on spot, we couldn't finish the salad, it was too dry. Maybe it's a new dish and it needs some tweaking, but maybe some dishes are complex just for the sake of it.

Again, we did like the place and we will be coming back and hopefully we won't have those "complaints" the second...

We visited the tavern on August 22nd 2020, a party of three people. Before commenting on the food I would like to state how frustrated we were while trying to make a reservation. We called more than 20 times well in advance but no-one would come to the phone. We would have certainly quit trying if the place did not come highly recommended. But guys, seriously, please improve that. Now, to the food: Seafood soup: A treat to all guests. Delicious and heart- warming even on a hot August afternoon Local artichokes with oil and cappers: A very tasty dish. Only some oil and vinegar was added in order to not cover the taste of the artichoke Bean salad with smoked eel: Delicious combination and well cooked Aubergine with kopanisti cheese: Once again a delicious plate (do you see a recurring theme?) Fried fresh shrimp: Nothing fancy. Tasty shrimp deep fried Shrimp pasta: We were a bit skeptical as the shrimps used in this dish were not fresh but rather frozen. It was also delicious, however I would prefer fresh shrimps and more ouzo to add to the flavour. It is supposedly the signature dish of the place and treated as such One ball of ice cream: Again a treat to all guests. Home-made and a good way to end the feast. Overall, a very nice establishment which I would visit again. More ouzo in the pasta please and better...