Taverna Kamasias

We ate at Taverna Kamasias Wednesday night, though did not know it was a special steak night. We were there for the fish. The week before we had eaten at Ocean Basket in Ayia Napa. A big mistake, the food disgusting, service terrible, the KFC or McDonald's of seafood. Last year we ate at Papa's fish and chips. Misleading, as although it is a fish n chip shop, it is also an excellent fish restaurant. Excellent sea bream. Wednesday night Nicolas Tavern or Taverna Kamasias? I was told at Taverna Kamasias the sea bream even better than at Papa's fish and chips. I assumed Taverna Kamasias was a fish restaurant. I was wrong, a Greek-Cypriot taverna, strictly speaking a meze house serving fish and meat meze. I asked was the fish freshly caught? I was told yes. We ordered a Greek salad. This was served with bread and pitta bread. For starter, we decided on what we had at Papa's fish and chips, fingers of cheese, fried, covered in sesame seeds. We must have got the name wrong. What was served, molten cheese in a bowl with hot tomatoes. It did not look appetising, but was delicious. Then came the sea bream, my companion chose a seafood platter. Both were excellent. The seafood platter included very tiny crabs as find on the beach. We could have taken our own wine. I did not know this. I could have brought a bottle of red wine from Melissonas Hill Vineyard, though it would not have gone with the fish. A side dish of vegetables. Neighbouring table had steak served on a wooden platter. Another table snails. We did not order dessert, nevertheless a dessert arrived. Slices of watermelon, a couple of strawberries, a couple of Greek cakes and something I did not know what it was served in a jar of honey. To one side, large loudspeakers, imply must be a venue for live music. On arrival, maybe around eight o'clock, almost empty. When we left, a little before eleven o'clock, the place was heaving. What we did not know was this was Black Angus steak night. Yes, it was chalked up, but I assumed it was one of the dishes on offer. We then drove through Protaras. It was deserted, the bars and restaurants empty. The local economy destroyed by all-inclusive hotels. Taverna Kamasias, of the best places to eat in Cyprus, indeed one of the best places I have eaten.