Ithaki Garden, home of the most amazing appetizer: fried feta with honey and sesame seeds. Once again, I am back with another blog post related to food. Rightfully so, as I’ve been to this restaurant three times within a week. I’m the absolute worst at directions, so I honestly couldn’t tell you how to get to this place, but if you can find it, it’s worth it. My criteria for a great restaurant are built up on the atmosphere/aesthetic, the food, and the employees. This place, as the name suggests, is set in the middle of a beautiful garden. The “ceiling” and other areas surrounding the seating are covered in leaves, vines, and flowering trees. This design provided much-needed shade, as did the various fans. Next, the food. Fried feta with honey and sesame seeds, Fried feta with honey and sesame seeds. The first two times I went, I got this appetizer in addition to the main course. The third time, however, I went solely for the feta, one last bite of heaven before I was forced onto an 11-hour flight. I didn’t realize how much my life was lacking until I tried this dish. Every flavor was perfectly balanced with the other, and, it was always served while it was still hot. Even if I was allergic to dairy, I’d risk it all for this feta. Having been there three times in such a short time frame, some of the students and I were convinced that the waiter we had each tie hated us. We had absolutely no reason to think this, absolutely no ground for it, but it still made us nervous when we went back a third time. This last time visiting heaven on earth, I was joined by only two other students. We asked our usual waiter for the bill, and when he came out, he had a grin on his face. Perplexed, we watched as he set down a round of free mystery shots on the table, next to the bill. He did not hate us.

-Olivia R.