There’s many Italian restaurants in Athens but only a handful that offer a proper al fresco dining experience. More so, set in a garden away from the crowds of Kifisia, Monzu is the best way to end your night with some friends, tasty Italian treats and some good vibes.
Just after summer 2020, Monzu came to life from the team of Hide & Seek bar with Yiannis Liokas leading the front in the kitchen. Marketed also as a spritzeria, Monzu is set in an ideal location in Kifisia if you’re looking for privacy at the backyard of a neoclassical building. The menu is mostly inspired from Italy, with lots to explore!
On a late weeknight, we gathered with a few friends in an effort to try something new – a big group with a big appetite and desire to share! We started off with a crunchy egg, served on a bed of potato mousse, mushrooms and lardo di colonata – definitely recommended! We paired it with a spicy Pizza Diavola, lots of salami picante but enough fior di latte to balance it off. The salad we had, a burrata with cured tomatoes was not up to par as the tomatoes were quite sour but still we marched on.
The place started getting full after 10pm but service remained top notch with waiters tending cautiously and swiftly left and right – definitely on the plus side of things.
Both pasta dishes we ordered were very tasty although we would have preferred them to be served a bit hotter. Perfectly closed agnolotti carbonara with lots of pecorino sardo and smoked panchetta, and a tasty spaghetti cacio e pepe topped with guanciale.
In the end, we were treated with two high quality desserts: a finger-licking tiramisu with extra espresso flakes on top and a delicious apple tart with vanilla sorbet ice cream, caramelised white chocolate and a crunchy cinnamon biscuit base.
All in all, a pleasant experience with lots of potential!
