Having previously had a quick lunch here, returning for a proper dinner was going to give us a better sense of Tarsanas in Spetses. Tonight, we had the opportunity to really enjoy a long evening with cherished company, taking our time. Dinners do not start early in Greece; arriving at 6:30pm is a no-no. Expect everything to begin properly from 10pm onwards. This is what I love about dining here: you won’t be hurried out at 9pm or subtly told to leave because everyone arrived at 5 for an early meal and is in bed by 9 (hello UK and America). I say this with humour, but it is true—I am always the last one in the restaurant in these countries, because late dining isn’t part of the culture. Eating later is a way of life, an identity belonging to Europe and the Mediterranean. And yes, I enjoy it. The atmosphere is alive and kicking; you even see young children staying out and joining in for the meals.
Tarsanas features a fish counter. I went over to have a look, and the fishmonger proudly held up his catch while I took a couple of quick photos. We selected the grouper, and it was prepared in the restaurant to our preference. It was fresh. We ordered some fava, which was so delicious that we requested another serving. It was creamy and had the right texture. Being quite a healthy choice, starters such as this don’t usually appeal to me, but this one does. I also make it at home myself. The chips, which they call ‘fried potatoes’ in Greece, were the closest I have come to real chips. Alongside, we ordered a couple of salads, and they too were fresh and appetising.
We had a much better impression of this dinner than we did of the lunch. The restaurant was packed and fully booked, so we were fortunate to get a table when we did. It was high season as well; you can just walk in without a reservation and try your luck. It worked for us for a table of four. This might be one of the best restaurants on Spetses island to return to if you don’t feel like cooking or filleting your own fish. You just need to tell them what you want and how you would like it prepared. If you want to be really organised, you can phone them in advance or even ask them to get something special for you. For a fresh, fish-focused dinner, it’s Tarsanas.
