A very well-deserved Michelin star with a few tasty surprises: Restaurant CTC Urban Gastronomy (21. June 2022)
The CTC Urban Gastronomy has recently been awarded 1 Michelin star and is definitely worth visiting. The place is lovely in terms of location – it is in a rather shabby area which is hip but not really ‘beautiful’ as it holds. However, if you enter the place, you are immediately caught up in a garden which is super nice. Once seated, very professional and attentive staff attends you and takes up your initial drinks order. I went for a “London Dry Gin / Mezcal / Tonic / Olive” (EUR 16.00) which was a good gin tonic to start.
After that, you get to pick the menu. Well, technically, you get the menu, which is the “CTC Voyage (11-course menu)” (EUR 85.00) and you can pick the wine pairing. I went for the “local wine pairing” (EUR 45.00) with Greek wines only. It’s interesting to see what you can get for a very fair price compared to so many starred restaurants in other locations.
The beginning was a “Fava Tart (filled with fava and tagliatelle from pickled beetroot)” and a “grouper ‘Athinaiki’ (grouper tartare, tomato mayonnaise and mastic cream scented with citrus)”. While the fava tart was good, but not mind-blowing, the grouper ‘Athinaiki’ was actually exquisite. Light, crispy, citrus notes, just a perfect bite.
The “spinach pie (fresh greens, panacotta of feta cheese, brick leave)” was not too bad either. Nothing which propels you into thin air, but definitely an enjoyable little thing to start.
The “sea bass carpaccio (smoked sea bass carpaccio with oyster’s mayonnaise and kiwi granite)” was interesting since the sea bass was seasoned deliciously, and the kiwi granite with which it was served was actually refreshing and quite a great contrast to the fish.
I liked the “home-made sourdough bread” and even more so, the “buttermilk, beurre noisette and fleur de sel” which was a great spread with delicious bread.
The next one sounded a bit confusing at first, i.e., the “corn soup (flavoured with lobster and a foam of truffle and bergamot)” didn’t look like soup at all …
… until it was finalized with the soup element. In any case, it did not only look interesting, but was actually good in taste.
My absolute favourite that evening were the “Calamari Pesto (tagliatelle made from calamari, boiled in tomato water and beurre blanc, pine, basil, garlic)”. Lately, I have had quite a few different fake tagliatelle from seafood in Milan and Rome – but this one was definitely among the best. The finesse of the tagliatelle and the intensity of the flavours was just outstanding. Just how you want things to be.
Next in line was the “catch of the day (white grouper sous vide, leek, salsify, cuttlefish ink, Ossetra caviar)” which was interesting too. Frankly, the top deck piece was just that – deco. It always looks nice but in terms of flavour it doesn’t really anything to the whole dish.
The “lamb (2 different cooking techniques of lamb (chest and thigh) with zucchini purée flavoured with basil, garlic butter, and greens)” was something I enjoyed a lot. The two pieces of lamb were super aromatic and full of flavour – and with the zucchini purée, it added some smoothness to the whole dish.
The “pre dessert (red fruits salad with guahigio pepper sorbet)” was a combination between average (red fruits salad) and fascinating (guahigio pepper sorbet). I mean, I have never tried pepper sorbet before, so, it was definitely something truly enjoyable.
While it was good in terms of flavour, I loved the “peach illusion (bitter almond ice cream, soil of white chocolate, liquor of peach, white chocolate; fake peach with filling + caramelized liquor of peach, yogurt dots)”, since at first, you really had the impression that you were eating an actual peach. But it turned out, it was anything but a peach, i.e., it was completely made up – and very well so. Definitely an interesting dish in terms of pleasing your eyes, and also something I personally enjoyed in terms of flavour.
The “friandises (pate fruit sour cherries, almond snickers, karidopita)” were fine as well. I mean, not the biggest fan of sweets, but in any case, it was enjoyable and a nice last bite.
What I like about the place is that you don’t see it from afar, since the label is ‘pasted’ to the wall …
… but when you enter, you can immediately see the contrast to the outside. Definitely worth coming here!
Other than that, they are excelling in terms of service – super friendly, super attentive, swift, even slightly jovial – really everything you could ask for when it comes to great service, dishes, price performance, and atmosphere! Booking in advance is highly recommended.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant CTC Urban Gastronomy
Plateon 15
104 35 Athens (GR)
Tel.: +30 21 07 22 88 12
Cell: +30 69 72 21 33 24
E-Mail: reservations@ctc-restaurant.com
Homepage: http://www.ctc-restaurant.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
