On our final night in Mykonos, we decided that we wanted to do something rather special. Instead of taking our usual trip down to the Old Port and using our fail-safe tactic of stumbling across a restaurant that looked up our street (after finally succumbing to the hunger), we booked a dinner reservation at the Tharroe of Mykonos hotel – renowned for its panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, Windmills and Town Centre. We’d heard on the grapevine that the sunset was absolutely incredible when viewed from their position, on the very top of a small hill, so we couldn’t wait to see what was in store.
Upon arrival, it was clear why this was such a special place with an immaculate pool area and stunning surroundings. However despite it’s luxurious offerings, it also felt very exclusive – since we were one of very few visitors and having the place to ourselves made it all the more extraordinary.
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From the offset, the staff at the hotel took great care of us, personalising the experience to how we wanted our evening to pan out. Usually when I go abroad, my dairy-free intolerance isn’t taken too seriously – or I am pointed to a rather limited menu, but our lovely waiter was adamant that everything could be tailored to me and that I needn’t worry. While browsing the absolutely delicious sounding menu, two large glasses of crisp white wine were popped in front of us – always a fantastic start, if I may say so myself.
And so without rushing us, we decided to sit back, relax and admire the incredible views around us, taking it all in between sips and a vast amount of picture taking. A slate platter of breads quietly slipped onto the table, a unique take on the usual pre-starter offering, featuring a number of olive oil crisped sticks, which were then enveloped in a balsamic dip. My mum did joke that they looked like something rather unsavoury, but they were delicious all the same. Don’t judge a book by its cover and all…
Our starters soon followed, mussels in a creamy vegetable sauce for my mum and a grilled vegetable stack for me, the latter of which was again finished off with a balsamic glaze. We both made a variety of positive mumbles in between mouthfuls, clearly impressed by the calibre of the food – and to be honest, the price too, since they weren’t overly expensive. The portions were just the right size as though not to spoil our appetites for the next course.
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Greek cuisine for me, is amazing because it’s so fresh, flavoursome and yet simple at the same time. Everything comes with lashings of olive oil and is usually grilled to perfection, which is exactly how I like my food – so it’s pretty perfect. For the duration of this trip, minus one night where I had pizza, I stuck to chicken souvlaki, which is essentially grilled chicken kebab, with onions and peppers. It’s healthy, so tasty and a Greek favourite – so I figured it only made sense. Plus, I knew it was entirely dairy free. Although – please do ask beforehand as some places marinate the chicken in yoghurt before grilling. So, I thought I’d opt for Tharroe’s version (plus a generous helping of fries) – which didn’t disappoint.
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My mum opted for the steak and chips, which sounds pretty simple – but has obviously been well thought out and seasoned, as she proclaimed it was the best she’d tasted in years. What a compliment!
It was by this point, that the beautiful sky seemed to come into its own. Although I’d seen sunsets before, nothing could have prepared us for quite how stunning this one would be. All of the colours merged together seamlessly, like some sort of Monet watercolour, reflecting the last glimmers of light in the Aagean Sea. It was all over rather quickly, but we did manage to capture a little of its beauty on camera. The real thing however, was so much more spectacular.
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With the sun disappearing, the air got a little chillier, so we continued our dinner under the shelter of the glass dining room – still offering those gorgeous panoramic views but without the added (slightly unwanted) shivering element. We sipped yet more wine, my mum enjoyed a delicious looking chocolate soufflé and I scrolled back through my pictures, eager to see that beautiful sunset one more time.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of our trip to Mykonos – and I’m really grateful to the hotel and their very kind staff for making it such a lovely evening. If you’re ever in the area, this place is definitely one to visit. There isn’t just one singular element that we loved, since the food, service, surroundings and value was faultless.
A truly beautiful experience.
Tharroe of Mykonos hotel de luxe,
Angelika 84600, Mykonos Island, Greece
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