Glossary

Athens Metro:  The Athens Metro consists of three lines. In many stations you can admire remains from the classical and roman era found during the digging for its constructions. Metro line 1 initiates at Piraeus and is over ground in most of its part but becomes underground after Monastiraki station. The other two lines are fully underground.

coffee Greek: hot roasted coffee served in a small cup (about the size of espresso) with no milk added. It comes in three kinds: sketos (no sugar added), metrios (medium) or glykos (sweet).

fava: puree of yellow split peas mixed with olive oil and a pinch of lemon. It is served as a starter, usually combined with  fish. Fava is a traditional dish of the island of Santorini.

frappe coffee: iced instant coffee with added milk on request. It comes in three kinds: sketos (no sugar added), metrios (medium) or glykos (sweet). A favorite Greek coffee specialty for the hot summer months!

galaktoboureko: Greek dessert of custard (sometimes flavored with lemon or orange) in phyllo. It may be made in a pan, with phyllo layered on top and underneath, or rolled into individual servings (often approximately 10 cm long). It is served or coated with a clear, sweet syrup. 

gelato: Italian style ice cream mostly offered by 'gelaterias' in the Old Town of Rhodes.

gyros: slightly spicy chopped pork meat grilled to be eaten as a dish or wrapped mixed with tzatziki, fried potatoes, tomato, onion and spices.

Ekato Vagies: In Greek 'ekato' means one hundred and 'vagies' is the Ancient Greek name for palm trees. Many different places in the city of Rhodes have been named after the number of palm trees in the area. 'Ekato Vagies' is a central square in the Psaropoula area. Not far from the city center you can also find 'Pente Vagies' (five palm trees).  

moussaka: oven baked Greek specialty, where layers of minced meat, eggplant, zucchini  and potato are mixed with chopped tomatoes and topped with béchamel sauce.

 

ouzo: an anise-flavored aperitif which is usually served  with appetizers such as octopus, salad, sardines, squad, fried zucchini, and clams. It is usually mixed with water or ice. Have in mind that it's concentration in alcohol is very high.

pastitsada: beef cooked in a rich tomato sauce and served with spaghetti 

pita bread: traditional flat round bread used to wrap souvlaki or gyros. 

pizza al metro:  Italian style pizza measured by centimeters. You are charged according to the length of the pizza you eat.

platonis:  The two deers, symbols of Rhodes, on the top of the columns standing at the entrance of the old harbor (Mandraki). The one with corns is male while the other one is female. Some say the platonis came to the island along with the western crusaders. Real platonis are to be found on the mountains of Rhodes.

psaropoula: The Greek name for the traditional fisherman's boat. A tourist area of Rhodes was named after it (Psaropoula and Psaropoula Bay).  

salad Greek: Salad made of sliced tomatoes, cucumber, green bell peppers, red onion, sliced or cubed feta cheese, and Kalamata black olives, typically seasoned with salt, pepper and dried oregano, and dressed with virgin olive oil.

sofrito: veal or beef escalopes sauted in a skillet and served with an accompanying sauce

 

souvlaki kalamaki: cubes of pork or chicken grilled on a skewer to be eaten on the go or as a served dish usually combined with fried potatoes, tzatziki and salad.

souvlaki pita: cubes of pork or chicken grilled and wrapped in traditional Greek pita bread, mixed with tzatziki (or other sauce on demand), fried potatoes, tomato, onion and spices.

tzatziki: popular appetizer made of Greek strained yoghurt, mixed with cucumber, and garlic.

vinsanto wine: Traditional sweet wine made of extensively ripened grapes, sun-dried for fifteen days and then controlled fermentated. Vinsanto is a special variety of the island of Santorini.

*Glossary frequently updated