Keramikos & Gazi - Athens - page 223

Dinner on the Square
Decked out in cool mod fittings, Gazi trailblazer Mamacas ( 210 346 4984; ht-
tp://mamacas.gr ; Persefonis 41, Gazi; mains €12-19; Keramikos) kicked off the 'modern taverna'
trend, serving home-style food in a bold white-on-white setting. It has since expan-
ded across the road and added a club. The tables stretching across the front terraces
provide the perfect vantage point for sizing up the action ringing the entire plateia .
Go Greek
Another summer favourite is Dirty Ginger ( 210 342 3809; www.dirtyginger.gr ; Triptolemou
46, Gazi; dinner May-Oct; Keramikos) , with tables around a giant palm tree in the col-
ourfully lit courtyard. It specialises in meat dishes, and the place progressively
morphs into a noisy, lively bar as the night wears on.
Tapas to Start
To lay a lighter base for the night ahead, go to Tapas (Triptolemou 44, Gazi; Keramikos)
to sup on a yummy array of small tapa plates while you sip delish cocktails to sooth-
ing beats. You can sit streetside and watch the crowds cascade into the neighbour-
hood, or hop up to the balcony for panoramic views.
Heating it Up, With a View
In summer, don't judge the action at ground level, head to the rooftop terraces. You'll
find one of the best at Gazarte ( 210 346 0347; www.gazarte.gr ; Voutadon 32-34, Gazi;
Keramikos) , where a cinema-sized video screen is dwarfed by the amazing city views
taking in the Acropolis. Mainstream music and occasional live acts please a trendy
30-something crowd. There's also a cinema proper and a restaurant to boot.
Gay Gazi
Gazi has quietly come to have one of Athens' best gay and lesbian scenes, with a gay
triangle emerging near the railway line on Leoforos Konstantinoupoleos and Me-