DINING OUT: Adventure begins at Odyssey in Chesterfield
Like the climate of the country which inspires its cuisine, Odyssey offers the warmest of welcomes in stunning surroundings.
Original artwork and a bouzouki musical instrument set off the neutral decor which includes lots of wood. Light bulbs hang from knotted ropes while fresh flowers and candlesticks make the tables look so pretty. We visited the family-run restaurant just a month after its launch and were greeted by Martha whose son is the chef. She made us feel as though we’d been welcomed into her home, sharing stories about her life and delaying her departure at the end of the night to make an extra-strong coffee for my fiance. Our waiter George was equally attentive, bringing us halva (a sweet confectionery made from sesame seeds) to try. There was much to tempt the discerning diner including a large range of starters, soups and grilled main courses as well as specials such as moussaka, stefados made with rabbit and stuffed peppers. For starters, I chose grilled aubergine housing fresh tomato, oregano and parsley and topped with feta cheese while my partner selected smoked mackerel, both were very tasty and plentiful.
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Hide AdThe mains were a work of art and set the tastebuds tingling. I opted for half a dozen lamb cutlets on a bed of seasoned rice while my companion plumped for salmon, with more fish on his plate than he could manage to finish.
The sweet options were limited to just three. I selected ice cream with a Greek homemade traditional dessert which was a thick strawberry syrup laced with real fruit. Nice, but unadventurous. With drinks including a glass of white wine, 500ml of red wine and a shot of ouzo, the bill came to £72.20...not the cheapest, but worth pushing the boat out for to sample a little bit of Greece in Derbyshire.
Rating: 9/10
Odyssey Greek Restaurant, Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield, S40 1RF
tel. 01246 721573
www. odysseyrestaurant.co.uk