Savvy Sleuthing in Athens: Briki Cafe & Bar

We are a bit late in writing about this gem of a place in the trendy Kolonaki district of Athens, as we discovered it at the height of summer enroute from the World Cup in South Africa. Briki comes from the Greek name of a certain coffe pot - during the day a great place for a coffee and baguettes, and at night for a drink. Probably one of the smallest bars in Athens, it is strategically located on Mavili Square, near the US Embassy and a 10-minute walk from the Hilton. Come here for a drink to start your night or just to calm yourself after walking Athen's streets. As a popular "steki" (meeting place), it attracts a hip crowd; don't mistake it with some of the smaller neighbouring places. Free Wifi in the square.
ADDRESS: Dorilaiou 6 (corner Dimitriou Soutsou), off of Leoforos Vasilissis Sofies
Tel: 210/645-2380

A Touch of Turkey in Qatar

By Zehra Fattah

The Sharq Village & Spa (operated by Ritz-Carlton) had a great kick off for the Turkish food festival at its famous Al Livan restaurant .

Some of the delights at the opening the Turkish festival at the Sharq Village. Photo: Zehra Fattah

The Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, Hon. Ahmet Demirok and his family were guests of honour on this great occasion. 

Politics, the relationship between the Arab countries and Turkey, and the increase in tourism in Turkey were among the many subjects that brought together a great group of attendees at this lovely gathering. 

Renowned chefs, Erol Sen and Mehmet Akif Aksoy, are exclusively flown in to prepare special dishes - including ciğ köfte (lean minced meat kneaded with grinded wheat (ince bulgur), onion, tomato or red pepper paste and spices like cumin, paprika, pepper, mint, coriander, cinnamon), grilled lamb chops, lahmacun (a round, thin piece of dough topped with minced meat and minced vegetables and herbs including onions, tomatoes and parsley, then baked) and Turkish pizza.

The Sharq Village & Spa describes Turkish cuisine this way: 

"Heavily influenced by classical Ottoman cooking, modern Turkish cuisine can be described as a fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan flavors and techniques. It has, in turn, influenced those and other neighboring cuisines, including that of Western Europe. 

Turkish cooking varies hugely from region to region: for instance, chefs along the Black Sea coastline use fish extensively, while the Southeast of the country is famous for its kebabs and dough-based desserts such as Baklava. In the West, where olive trees are abundant, the use of olive oil predominates, while the Marmara and Mediterranean regions are rich in vegetables, herbs and fish."

Says Savvy Angel, Zehra Fattah, who is being hosted by the Sharq Village & Spa: "The last time I had Turkish food this delicious it was prepared by my mother!" 

A night filled with inspiring conversions, authentic Turkish cuisine in a setting which couldn't have been better for such an event. 

The Turkish Food Festival runs until Nov. 1. See our review of Al Liwan by clicking here. 

A desert item at the festival opening. Credit: Sharq Village & Spa

Fog Causes Flight Chaos in N WA and BC; Delta B757 Diverted

A nuisance weather system that has coated parts of northwestern Washington, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia with fog has once again caused several flight cancellations and delays.

Late Monday thick fog descended over the region , cancelling flights in and out of Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Bellingham and smaller airports. It's the same lingering system that brought flight havoc last Friday. Seaplane operations in the area will likely be shutdown Tuesday morning.

A Boeing 757 similar to the one that was diverted Monday evening to southeastern Washington. Credit: Delta

Separately a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 from Atlanta was diverted shortly before its descent into its final destination, Seattle, Monday evening - instead landing in the Tri-Cities Airport in southeastern Washington. A Delta official blamed the diversion of DL2329 on unspecified mechanical problems, adding that passengers were to be bused to Seattle - a distance of about 200 miles. 

The problematic flight was due to touch down in Seattle at 10:25pm Monday. but landed instead in the Tri-Cities at 10pm, according to Delta.