We were unsure which taverna to try for lunch, but were curiously drawn to the Fiti Pefkos. It’s the least glamorous of the two, but we like the fact that there is a large garden area for dining. The owner’s English is extremely limited, but we didn’t let that bother us – sign language usually works, and certain keywords such as salad, beer olives, and feta were readily understood.
We settled ourselves down at a table, and a voice from behind the trees said, "You’ve made a wise choice." A couple of ex-pats who’d been on the island for over 25 years had recently stumbled on this taverna and had decided to celebrate England’s winning of the Ashes (I had to introduce that somewhere into the journal!) by taking lunch at one of their favourite village tavernas. The garden was crammed with plant life and the vines hung decorously above our head, providing a haven for local insect life and a lush protection from the ferocity of the Cypriot sun. Nothing posh – just comfortable, relaxed, and rustic, a perfect setting to chill out.
We wanted a lunchtime snack and opted for a "village salad" for two and a couple of Keo’s. Very efficiently, a large bowlful of fresh salad was brought to the table with an accompaniment of olives, freshly made bread, and a large bottle of mineral water. The salad was tossed in an absolutely gorgeous dressing and the olives were some of the best I’ve ever tasted. There was a load, and we delighted in the large chunks of smooth, soft feta, integral to a great Greek salad. The beer and the glasses were cold, and we spent a very pleasant lunch hour pondering the essentials of life and planning the rest of our hassle free day. At the end, when I asked for the bill, I was asked for the princely sum of £3.
Whilst expressing my surprise at the cost, the ex-pats retorted, "We did tell you!" They were still struggling to complete their Meze meal for two, an elaborate and mouth-watering mixture of Mediterranean dishes served in vast quantities. Up in this small Greek village, a full, tasty Meze was costing this couple £5 a head, whereas in Pafos, a Meze of much smaller portions would cost around £8. Certainly their food looked superb, and I would strongly recommend that you try this place out for its idyllic setting and incredible value.
Here is Fyti you’ll rub shoulders with locals, and they will treat you as if you are one of their residents. No false tourist sentiments here, just genuine home cooking in a no-nonsense garden taverna. Indeed, whilst we were eating, the local clergy popped across for his lunch and was seen "chewing the cud" with a table full of locals. No one was in a hurry, and it’s amazing how quickly this come-day, go-day attitude rubs off. We left feeling fully replete and totally relaxed. Que Sera.