San Stefanos Online ~ North West Corfu

Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: Bristle Boy on June 20, 2010, 04:28:50 PM

Title: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Bristle Boy on June 20, 2010, 04:28:50 PM
Hope you guys don't mind but i thought i'd publish our review of San Stef holiday, June 2010.

Ab fab time staying at Fedra Mare - a very big thanks to Dimitris and H for their hospitality and generosity - a great place to stay for anyone thinking of staying in San Stef. Superb accomodation and spotlessly cleaned everyday.
So how does Fedra Mare compare to Terezas where we stayed last June. Quieter for sure but just as welcoming. The cleaning is better at Fedra Mare, although evenings are quieter - but that was fine as it meant we didn't drink as much! ;D

The weather was absolutely superb (better than last year) - no rain, hardly any cloud and a surprising lack of windy days - still v.warm on an evening. Brilliant!

San Stef itself is very quiet - esp our first week - seemed to get busier from Monday this last week, but all the bars are v.quiet. Quite a few nights we walked passed Silver Star (at about 10) and it was dead - about 7 or 8 tables occupied. We were in Condor most evenings and it was quieter than last year - in fact, after the tribute acts most people left - one night we were in there until about 1.30 and there was 6 of us in there. The really annoying thing was that most people watched the acts, almost for free, only buying one or two drinks - out of order IMO.
Thomas Bay looked fairly 'steady' all thru' the holiday. the new bar opposite Condor is nearly finished so i guess it will be open v.soon.
A big thank you to Anna at Three W Bar for serving our pre-dinner cocktails most nights.

The beach is smaller than last year and was v.quiet during our first week but got busy the last few days. But no snack van on beach - Leo is missing a trick here, as a lot of people were using the supermarket by Summer Dreams for their ice creams and drinks.

The restaurants we used - many of you will find a couple of my reviews surprising, but i have to be honest i'm afraid:

I'll start with the not-so favourable ones -
Ozzy Oils - sorry guys, but this one failed to hit the button with me and the wife for 2nd year running - we just don't see what the fuss is all about - food is OK, but that's it in our opinion - i had the Meat Pie - the pastry was soggy and the meat uninspiring. Just not for us i'm afraid.
Little Prince - bland serving of food - i had the sizzling steak - meat of poor quality - not real steak IMO.

Beachcomber - Lovely food - great location, but how can they call themselves a 'Bistro' when they didn''t have any desserts, other than ice cream?! - that left a sour taste (people we met in SS also had same experience a couple of nights later)- they didn't even seem to care that much to be honest - a little stand-offish in terms of 'welcomes'

Olympia - didn't use this one last year, but went twice this year - recommended - excellent food and service (homemade chips - yummy!) really good value.

The Waves - used 6 or 7 times on a lunchtime - good lunchtime fare - Sole, Stuffed Toms, Grilled salmon, lamb chops

Zorbas - one of our favourites - Lamb Kleftiko for me, another Lamb dish for my wife. Lovely desserts, followed by dancing; great service and friendly welcome - recommended

Mamma Mia's - next to Zorbas (owned by them) - had stonebaked pizzas on our 'flight day home' - 2 for 1 - brilliant value

Perros Hotel - stumbled across this when planning to go to Paradise - Stefanos had cooked a Beef Madras that afternoon - couldn't resist - superb! Great value as well - 7.50 euros with a free glass of wine (not very Greek i know but a welcome change towards end of holiday)

Mythica - the best in our opinion - warm bread rolls for starters, lovely desserts and great mains - superb service with a smile - very good value - not expensive either.

So all in all a great time; albeit quieter than last year, but weather better. Hope everyone else enjoys their stays this summer, but please use the bars - they need your support - it's tough this year for sure.

EDIT: Forgot to add earlier, but the restaurants at far end i.e. Beachcomber, Mistral, Manthos and Nafsica should add a signpost near Summer Dreams and the Supermarket advertising where they are. When we were in Olympia the number of people we saw walk as far as Summer Dreams and then turn around because they think there's nothing beyond was quite staggering. I know SS regs will know of the far end of San Stef but obviously a lot of newbies do not. On a couple of nights Beachcomber was completely empty - the first meal we had at Olympia, on night 3, the owners of Beachcomber came along on their motorbike looking at the restaurants to see how busy they were! Because there was no one at all in Beachcomber!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Paulene Dean on June 20, 2010, 04:36:02 PM
Some helpful comments - thanks. We are staying with Dmitri & Hari at Fedra Mare this year - our first time staying in the apartments so really looking forward to it. It is quiet that end of the village but thats what we prefer - if we want something a bit more lively then not a long walk. Glad you enjoyed yr hols.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: johny rebel on June 20, 2010, 11:08:46 PM
hi bristol boy must agree with you mythica best taverna in san stefanos brilliant menue great service great people in jenny and leo and the best food we had in our fortnight 3 weeks ago
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: loftyscot on June 21, 2010, 12:54:12 AM
Thank you for the report Sir. We love Zorba's, like your comments on Olympia and will go there in a few weeks, cheery
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on June 21, 2010, 05:30:26 AM
Nice report B B!
I suppose it depends on what you order in any place!
We always liked the Mythica, in our top 3, but some people last season didn't like it at all - but it gives a balanced view.
I thought that S S would be getting busier by now, but this credit crunch has hit hard, lets hope it improves.
I see that them entire Sunset Taverna, Apartments, travel business and even the mini-bus are up for sale as a going concern.
Has anyone been there this time???
I wonder why thy are selling up??
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Gillywoo on June 21, 2010, 02:41:17 PM
Great report, but have to disagree about the Taverna's which of course will always be a subjective subject.

The Mythica we found to be bland and boring, that applying to the food as well as atmosphere, however, I know its popular so maybe we chose a bad night.

If we all liked the same restaurant we would never all get in would we!

Andy
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: carole.mike on June 21, 2010, 03:44:39 PM
when we were there in may this year we went to yannis taverna most night food was excellent three course for 9 euros a litre of village wine  5 euros  23 euros tip 2euros total 25 euros , the lamb is fantastic and the fish also excellent ,[a must try taverna 8 out of ten in my book] also went to the mon-more taverna very good food and the night owl  both in afionas but you will need transport to get there well worth the journey. yammas mike .
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: shellbell on June 21, 2010, 08:54:29 PM
Thanks for the report Bristol boy.....glad you enjoyed yourselves.
Its good to have everyones take on the places to eat and Im sure we will be trying places that we didnt get round to last year.
I think its all about consistency when you are dealing with the public and eateries can not survive on their name alone....the service and food must be kept to a high quality for people to go back again and again. I hope the people at the Beachcomber have not become complacent and are hoping the excellent sunsets carry them through the summer months  :-\ . Ill let you all know in a couple of weeks  ;)

Shell
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Bristle Boy on June 21, 2010, 11:11:06 PM
Thanks for your replies - you are right about the restaurants, people have their own favourites and sometimes we will never agree on which are a 'hit' or a 'miss'. The world would be v.boring if we all liked the same! ;D

One other aspect i forgot to mention was the absence of the Czechs compared to last year - they helped 'make' The Condor last June, but there were very few in SS the last couple of weeks.

Tony - don't know about Sunset - didn't venture that far along - i remember last June they were quiet though.

Plus, San Stef travel are moving (from Summer 2011) to a building past the supermarket (near Summer Dreams) down the little beach road - i suppose they want to grab the beach trade, but i would've thought they've a great position already.

Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: joan on June 22, 2010, 01:32:24 AM


Plus, San Stef travel are moving (from Summer 2011) to a building past the supermarket (near Summer Dreams) down the little beach road - i suppose they want to grab the beach trade, but i would've thought they've a great position already.


[/quote] That sounds like the Simple Bar which is opposite Margaritas Supermarket. That will be a relief to all who stay down there including us.There is a lot of traffic to and fro so will get the trade.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Gordonc on June 22, 2010, 04:52:42 PM
San Stef appear to be moving to a shop unit below the apartments opposite from what was the Simple bar. Looks like a larger office but I don't know if the passing trade to the beach will make up for the numbers that must pass the present location.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on June 22, 2010, 08:29:00 PM
They are moving into the shop next to (sister) Paula's gift shop, (which is next to Margarita's Supermarket), on the road down to the beach.
Vassilis and Margarita own all the land there and have developed it - but some units remain empty.
It's empty and is owned by Mum and Dad - (by Margarita's Apartments).
This must be because it's Credit Crunch etc,
I expect it's a free rental or a gift as Mum and Dad set up the kid's in business - which makes sense!
Only worry is maybe the loss of the prime position she now occupies, but well still go there!
It's just around the corner from the original S S Travel.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: ianandsarah on June 22, 2010, 08:32:11 PM
San Stef travel are moving (from Summer 2011) to a building past the supermarket
I would think this is a shrewd business move for Noula as her family home is down there and I would think she is moving to one of the buildings. This should not cause her any problems as she has a good name for her travel business.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: ianandsarah on June 22, 2010, 08:35:44 PM
Tony how about that....we were thinking the same thing at the same time.....ooooh ::)
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: ianandsarah on June 22, 2010, 08:37:51 PM
carole.mike
when we were there in may this year we went to yannis taverna most night food was excellent three course for 9 euros a litre of village wine 



you mentioned yannis taverna.....which one is that?
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: carole.mike on June 22, 2010, 08:54:08 PM
i ianandsandra the yannis we went to was the one on the t/junction across the road from the mythcia tarvana the other one witch is also called yannis is what we used as a snack bar nice place but the other yannis was a tarvana better food  and no chips  veg and roast potatoes .yammas mike .
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: ianandsarah on June 22, 2010, 09:16:31 PM
agh yes, sit and watch the world go by. We will try it this year. Thanks Mike
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on June 24, 2010, 01:51:06 AM
Yannis in the Snack Bar serves great snacks and Giros.

He was the Original ''Yannis'' in the Taverna Yannis (opp. Mythica).
When he ran Taverna Yannis, he did spit roast lamb which was to die for!

Not sure why he moved, but the food in the Taverna Yannis (although good), lost that "edge" when he moved to the snack bar.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: lilly on June 24, 2010, 02:04:23 AM
Is the Taverna Yannis empty now or has someone else opened up a new taverna, we had a nice meal there just before we got the coach back to the airport last time we were in SS. At the time there was a new building being built opposite, anyone know what the building is?
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on June 24, 2010, 02:10:16 AM
It was open last year ok - the Building Opposite is probably the Mythica.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: lilly on June 24, 2010, 02:18:29 AM
Sorry got confused regarding the  2 taverna yannis and where situated. Cannot wait to try out the Mythica, it seems to be highly rated.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Jules on June 24, 2010, 09:58:24 AM
Lilly Mythica is lovely - one of favourite tavernas now.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on June 24, 2010, 08:00:05 PM
Try the mussels starter - lovely!!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Sarah on July 05, 2010, 04:27:14 PM
We ate in the Mythica twice during our 2 weeks there.  Can thouroughly recommend the Seabass.  The sauce it comes in was absolutely delicious.

We were half board but did manage to eat out 4 times. 2 being at Mythica and twice in Arillas - Brouklis and Thalassa.  Must say i preferred Mythica though.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Jimbo on July 06, 2010, 12:21:17 PM
STOP PRESS:

The Olive Press is being prepared for opening in about 10 days.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 14, 2010, 01:00:50 AM
Any more news??
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Jimbo on July 14, 2010, 08:51:41 PM
Tables were being put out last night.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 16, 2010, 05:11:40 PM
George seems to have lost interest a bit - It would be nice to see it running again, but Simone was the main people person there and organised everything, including the Villas.
I hope that George gets over the problems and does well again - it used to be a great place to eat.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: deerocker on July 16, 2010, 05:18:42 PM
Well written Tony about the Olive Press.The lamb was rather good.Great roasties as well.Had a lot of fun there.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 16, 2010, 05:22:12 PM
Hi DeeRocker - I must Agree - The Lamb was truly superb and lots of it! - Special Roasties and I missed the fresh Tomato soup as well!
We also had the biggest and nicest Prawns for starters I have had in years, a couple of years back, so I hope to say hello to George again this year!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Paulene Dean on July 16, 2010, 10:33:51 PM
Olive Press opening - Yippee - will def get my favourite apple and cinnamon pie now - last year George sent someone out to get one for me when they ran out - what service. And hear hear about the lamb and roast potatoes.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 19, 2010, 02:10:05 AM
Saw the post - then bought one from our local shop - just had too!!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Jimbo on July 19, 2010, 02:20:19 AM
Here goes. Objective mode on:

It's easy to see why people go back to SS year after year. It's a very relaxing place. It's not beautiful - it's not your dream perfect old place like Lindos or Parga. It's a modern beach resort, although they've done everything they can with flowering shrubs to make it as attractive as possible. There are no Hellenic ruins, no crumbling palaces. There are Venetian castle walls within range.

What it does have is great scenery - the view out over the Ionian Sea to Mathraki and Othoni is lovely, especially from the ridge top. It also has a very good beach, and that's in a sense the focal point.

We had a good, early flight out from Doncaster, which has all the benefits of a small airport - no queues, no air traffic congestion, and a very long runway!

Then three weeks staying at Little Prince. We can't praise Dimitri, Pippina and Mixalis too much. The rooms are huge. Quite accidentally we were allocated a two-bedroom apartment, and it was great to have separate vast kitchen, let alone the fact that I could sleep in the second room and leave Gillie to wriggle around and snore on her own. Not that I snore, of course. We had clean sheets and towels almost every day.

The food at Little Prince was consistently excellent. The best Moussaka in SS.

Other places were good. Mythica was very good, Zorba's  fine, Beachcomber superb. Thought Ozzie Oils not so good. Wonderful lamb chops in the last taverna before the supermarket near the beach (can't remember the name!).

Met lots of forum people at various times. Great to meet shellbell and Cockney in Hull on the boat to Mathraki and Othoni.

Prices were remarkably reasonable. Portions too large generally for a slim Adonis like me (comments will be ignored), which may explain why a surprisingly large percentage of people on the beach and in the village seemed to be bordering on obese.

The great thing about SS, apart from the weather, is the friendliness and the way it's so easy to slip into relaxation mode. Seriously recommend three weeks if you can do it.

Nice walk to Arrilas, although I thought it was a nothing place, with a miserable beach.

No problems returning. The bus picked up at Sidari before us. The Thomson's reps at the airport were very well organised: two minute queue, then we were all the first to check in.

Back to a raining Doncaster, and grey skies over Hull. But then, that's why we go to SS. Sun, sea, friendship, good food, good cheer. It didn't let us down.

Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 19, 2010, 03:29:33 AM
Nice report there Jim - good viewpoint!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Rod on July 20, 2010, 12:48:12 AM
Great report Jimbo, shame we did'nt meet up (we were there from 25th June  for two weeks).  Agree with Arillas, not much about it.  Last year we were in the Little Prince restaurant every other night.  This year we decided to spread our cash and custom around (ooh err).  The wife and I can't stop talking about our stay in San Stef, it has really made a great impression on us.  We go to Turkey in seven weeks time but we still just talk about San Stef.  I'm filling up now!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: don on July 20, 2010, 12:58:40 AM
Never saw you either Rod. We too are giving Turkey a spin. Just booked it tonight. October for us though. Only ever been for a day trip before so should be refreshing!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 20, 2010, 01:13:30 AM
We did October two years ago - weather great still!!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: allanm on July 23, 2010, 10:22:40 PM
We eat at the sunset taverna,wonderful food cooked by Spiros,s mother.It is lovely to sit by the fountain and have a cool drink before dinner.Why don,t more people come to the quiet end ?. of course we are biased we stay at the Blue Dream studios, across the road. We will be back in August 2010. We also like the olympic and Sorbas.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: pembo on July 23, 2010, 10:41:16 PM
We stay in Nikos appartments behind Athens Bar so we go to the Sunset quite regularly, they also serve up a good full English breakfast. We go back in August and will certainly be caling into see Spiros.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: don on July 23, 2010, 10:45:53 PM
We always eat at the Sunset when we visit SS and can never understand why it isn't busier. Apart from the great food we love to sit and chat by the fountains too. It's a great place for people watching!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Paulene Dean on July 23, 2010, 11:03:29 PM
After many years going to SS we eventually made Sunset last year - absolutely lovely meal - only reason we had never tried it b4 was we had already plonked ourselves down at one of the other many lovely places to eat b4 we got to that end of town - but will certainly be going there again this year
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: SANDY on July 23, 2010, 11:27:21 PM
we always stay with Spiros and Maria at the sunset they are lovely people,but so is everyone else in SS.
Unfortunately funds won't run to a holiday this year,we have a big wedding up in Newcastle,our sons third time[lucky we hope]
when he returns from Afghanistan.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: sunshine on July 23, 2010, 11:35:36 PM
We have been going to the sunset for a few years and can never understand why all the people just seem to walk by when as everyone knows their home cooked food is first class..perhaps a lot of people think they are missing something if they don't go down to the centre of the village....strange really...... :-\ :-X
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 26, 2010, 09:31:31 PM
As I said in another post, I highly rate Sunset Taverna and always enjoy the meals there.
I used to love it when that couple used to play live music there as well.
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: Jules on July 26, 2010, 09:36:06 PM
Did they not have a music night last year with a bouzouki player amongst others
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: tonyco1 on July 26, 2010, 09:46:49 PM
Yes I know - and it was a great shame - place was packed!
Title: Re: Our review of our holiday
Post by: ianandsarah on July 26, 2010, 11:15:20 PM
We went to a greek night there one year and it was the longest greek dance on record, Sarah and George were dancing in a circle for what seemed hours.