Kalamaki Resort - (Resorts in Zante)

Sharon W           

My husband and I (I sound like the Queen!) go to a Greek Island every year.  On first sight Kalamaki seemed great.  We stayed at the Cronulla Hotel and although the accommodation is pretty basic (as is most of Greece) it made up for it by having a brilliant swimming pool - best in the area - and no sunbed bagging. at least not whilst we were there.  There are absolutely massess of restaurants and bars in Kalamaki, all along one main road.  However towards the end of the second week we began to tire of them and realised that you don't really get the feel of real Greece here - it is more like Southend with sun.  Little Greek tavernas where you sit and eat and then drink with the locals were not in existence and all the restaurants seemed to go at quite a speed to get through the vast amount of people wanting to eat, with the exception of the Italian restaurant, Buon Amici, which is unhurried and does fantastic food, highly recommended.  Out of all the bars we went in, and we went in plenty, Down Under was the most fun.  Although most of the people there were younger than us we must be young at heart coz we managed to out-dance and out-last and out-stay a hell of a lot of them.  The juggling behind the bar is great, as is the fire show - well done Kim and Buss.  Don't be put off going to Kalamaki but don't expect to get a true sense of a Greek Island.  And the airport - well, the best thing to say is that it can only get better - can't it????

Absolutely - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sharon W  (02 October 2005)         

Despite the bar only having 2 customers in it when we got there we still went in.  Big mistake.  It had no atmosphere and, although there were only 2 other customers there, it seemed "cliquey".  They clearly knew the other 2 customers and so could not really be bothered about us.  They served us our drinks as quickly as possible, whilst still talking to the other 2 customers, took our money and then went back to talking to their other 2 customers.  This continued for the whole time we stayed there - 2 further drinks each - and then we decided that enough is enough and left.  This was at the beginning of the first week we were there and every time we passed it it never seemed to have improved, both in numbers or look.  Half of the time it was hardly lit, one end in complete darkness which is not something to encourage you to go in, and mostly you could never hear the music as you went past so were not sure if they were playing what you liked or not.

One thing we can recommend though.  We started a great game up.  It was called "Guess how many customers are in the bar tonight"!  A tip if you want to play this game - you usually only need one hand to count them on.

Sorry if this seems a trifle harsh on you both but I am stating it how we found it - perhaps we caught you on a bad couple of weeks.

Down Under - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sharon W  (02 October 2005)         

Wonderful, wonderful, great, marvellous.  Yes you're right - we liked it.

Everyone was so friendly and the staff seemed to be really enjoying themselves and, when not serving drinks, juggling, fire-eating, fire-dancing and generally entertaining their customers.  They quickly learnt what you were drinking and free shots were often coming round.  The music was great too.  Particular thanks to Kim and Buss - you were terriffic.  My husband particularly enjoyed arm-wrestling (oh dear) but I am sure you were gentle on him and let him win, not that he will have any of that.

If we ever come back to Kalamaki we would make a bee-line for your bar.  Thanks for great evenings.

Buon Amici - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sharon W           

Cannot recommend this restaurant enough.  The place was lovely, the staff very friendly and the food excellent and unhurried.  They also served great wines.  We went there several times during our holiday and after the second time we were known as "regulars" and given a great welcome whenever we came. 

By far and away the best restaurant in Kalamaki.

Parthenon Restaurant - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sharon W           

Due to various reports we went there - and regretted that we had.  The tables were very close together and the staff were rushed off their feet.  The result - the started arrived in record speed and as soon as we had finished them they whipped our plates away and promptly deposited our main course - not a moment in between courses.  Again when we had finished our main courses they were back immediately and, as we did not want sweets or coffees, the bill arrived, we paid and were out - all in under 1 hour.  Not a relaxed evening meal by any stretch of imagination.

The food?  Disappointing to say the least. I ordered meat balls to start with and they were dry, tasteless and grim.  They appeared to be made up mostly of bread or the like, not a lot of meat to be seen and I would put money on it that they were ready-made frozen ones that are just dropped in the fryer for a couple of minutes - revolting.  We cannot recall what the rest of the meal was, it was so tasteless, and would not recommed this restaurant to anyone.

Sorry folks

Escape - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sharon W           

Thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant - went to it twice.  The setting is lovely and the tables are not too on top of each other.  The staff are very friendly, as is the cat!  You could spend as long as you wanted over your meal and the food was lovely.  Our friend said that it was one of the best steaks he had ever tasted - cant get better than that, can you?

Would recommend this to anyone.

Bocca BBQ - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Sharon W  (02 October 2005)         

 Another good restaurant.  The service and food are very good and it is a great place to sit and eat whilst watching the world go by.

The guy outside the restaurant trying to persuade people to come in is very good - not too pushy and yet appears very friendly.  He remembers faces as well.  The next night as we walked past he asked us did we enjoy our meal the night before and were we coming in again tonight.

Rose n Crown - (Bars in Kalamaki)

Sharon W           

Cannot really comment on what the bar itself is like.  We were next door at the restaurant - owned/run by the same people.  I only drink Gordons gin (yes, I know its fussy and it drives me mad as well but I cannot stand any other sort).  The restaurant said it did not have any Gordons gin and would go next door to the Rose and Crown to get it from there.  The waiter returned with a Smirnoff Ice and said that the Rose & Crown didn't have Gordons gin.  WHAT?  This is supposed to be an English pub and all English pubs sell Gordon's gin (and I should know, being an ex-landlady of a pub).  Seems to me that the so-called English pub was so English after all.

Needless to say we didn't go there.