Perroquet Tranquille: Franco-Syrian cooking
The location: About 10 kilometers from Ermoupoli is Delagratsia – commonly known as Posidonia, an area famous for its old mansions and tower houses. The bistro is located 200 meters from the sea and the small sandy beach of Fetouri.
The atmosphere: A cute, old farmhouse, transformed into a neat, handmade space cared for down to the smallest detail – even the Marseille musk soap for the hands in the bathroom, smells of olive oil, honey and lavender. Tasteful, cool veranda – cozy and the small interior hall – combines Cycladic architecture with the rusticity of the French south. Suddenly this corner of Delagrátsia has so many similarities to Lourmarin and the Provence countryside.
The food: Marc Bocquet was born in Lyon and grew up in Toulon eating seafood cuisine, light French, with sunny, aromatic, Mediterranean ingredients. His marriage to Rika, a Syrian on her mother's side, was somewhat reminiscent of the marriage of Frankish culture with the Cycladic element, in the cultural melting pot of Syros. But such marriages are rarely allowed in Perroquet's kitchen. The ingredients of the two cultures may be similar and the flavors familiar, but their pots only produce Frankish dishes: blankets and bourguignon, quiche lorraine and moules frites (steamed mussels with French fries). Culinarily, Greece "participates" only with certain ingredients, such as some Syrian meats, baguettes, fruits and vegetables. The cheeses and cold cuts travel from Marc's homeland, as do the mustards (fiery Dijon), the gherkins, the spices, the Guerande salt. It's not the techniques that characterize their dishes, but the soul, the deliciousness, the homemade feel. I've been going often, since 2015 when it first opened, and its cuisine is getting better and better. If Rica suggests a dish of the day for you to choose, they'll have come up with something good. For a leisurely snack, accompany your wine with a nice platter of French cheeses or cold cuts, or with Marc's very successful homemade pork pâté. Also, hearty salads, with the top one with warm goat cheese and caramelized pears, and the equally popular potato salad with mackerel. The tarts are also excellent (see quiche lorraine, leek tart, spinach tart, etc.), and one of their freshest appetizers is the stuffed tomatoes with tuna, boiled egg and mayonnaise with a recipe from Nice. A very nice version of steak tartare and very good roasting on the bavette (flank steak) with a rich Roquefort sauce. For fish lovers, I recommend the fresh red tuna with apple chutney and tomato coulis.
The bill: From 7.5-16€ for the varieties and the meal 20-30€/person with a glass of wine.
The wine cellar: Small and comprehensive. Their own imports from France, including two or three alternative rosés for which Provence is famous. There are also eau de vie, pastis, armagnac and cognac. Ask them to make you a Kir with the Bourgogne Aligoté white wine, which is traditionally used to make the popular French cocktail.
Additional information: In the mornings they also serve brunch – authentic croque madame and monsieur, super juices and nutritious smoothies with fresh seasonal fruits and herbs! Combine your meal with a walk in the stately Delagratsia, or with a swim in one of the nearby sandy beaches: Komito, Agathopes, Fetouri.