America casts its vote...for the best Greek breakfast in Athens
Once again, the Hotel Grande Bretagne comes out on top
Can we talk? Recently your top Greek Columnist here, Anthony Grant, found himself on the island of Manhattan, in an overpriced hotel room, faced with the prospect of a dismal breakfast buffet unworthy of the name. In the world of travel and hospitality, there are few bigger sins than pricey hotels that go cheap on an “included” breakfast.
And for that reason, we’ve said it before but will say it again, never book a hotel with Booking.com. Now that that’s out of the way, a word about Greek breakfast and breakfast at Greek hotels — two very different animals.
Greeks are like the French in that they don’t eat much for breakfast. This can be somewhat disconcerting for Americans used to their bacon and eggs or Egg McMuffins, who are much likelier to skip lunch than skip breakfast.
Walk around Athens and, as in Paris, you will notice a paucity of breakfast-style restaurants. The idea of a Denny’s or diner is very foreign in these parts.
However, Greek hotels more than make up for this somewhat recondite culinary lacuna.
(Ed.: what? Just get to the point!)
Not all of them mind you. Of course, Greek Column’s Anthony Grant (that’s me) famously examined the breakfast phenomenon at the NEW Hotel for a global audience. That was filmed when Greek yogurt was just starting to become a thing in America. But today we cast our vote, in the name of all Americans, for the breakfast spread at the one and only Hotel Grande Bretagne, your luxurious escape and home away from home in Athens. It is one of the European crossroads of the world, where Winston Churchill once stayed as well as famous writers like spa author Pam Price, who dined at the hotel’s iconic GB Roof Garden in June.
“Everything about the buffet was spectacular, from the freshly cut pineapple to the croissants and freshly brewed coffee served in silver pitchers. And of course, that delicious view!” she told us exclusively. “Have you tried the French toast?”
Well Ms. Price, we have! It was golden brown and delicious, dusted with powdered sugar the way we are told that Greta Garbo liked it to be served (on Onassis’ yacht).
The great thing is that as long as you are a hotel guest, you can not only have your fill of the lavish buffet, but also order à la carte from the menu. French toast is one of those items, as is traditional Greek strapatsada, scrambled eggs with feta cheese and tomato. At GB it comes with a tiny bowl of cherry tomatoes and capers for added yum.
We love the fact that the restaurant opens at 6:30AM. Who the devil is up that early, you might ask? Well, yours truly, that’s who. Not everyday, but sometimes a guy’s gotta work the night shift and there you go. Also, imagine that you have a flight to catch and need to fuel up first? Being able to strap on the ‘ol feedbag before sunrise is actually genius, plus you get the Acropolis view mostly to yourself.
So the votes have been cast and in Athens, we have a clear winner for breakfast: GB Roof Garden restaurant and bar at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Now as for dinner…
Note: this is a developing story
