Nea Diagonios: Delicious food in Kalamaria, on the beach

Republished from: flaginlife.gr

Nea Diagonios offers delicious cuisine by award-winning chef Ioannis Chantakis. We visited it and convey our impressions.

Perhaps the name Nea Diagonios disorients some, who imagine this particular restaurant as an annex of the classic Diagonios in the center of Thessaloniki. Error. There is of course the connection of a traditional relationship with the Palaia Diagonios, but there is also a big difference. At the helm of the kitchen is Ioannis Chantakis, a really talented chef, who has all the potential to take the restaurant to the top. But let's start things from the beginning.

First of all, Nea Diagonios has a big advantage. It is located in an excellent spot, at the edge of the sea in Kalamaria, and the beautiful view it offers is complemented by a small port. The place is dressed in green and the outside area, neat, comfortable and relaxing. As for the patrons at noon of the visit, it was, to say the least, mixed. Couples, families and 1-2 tables that you understood had a business purpose.

Although the menu at Nea Diagonios is currently under construction, this in no way prevented us from perceiving the talent and potential of the chef. Looking back at the proposals made by the restaurant, the first observation is the relative absence of fish-based dishes, but as chef Ioannis Chantakis explained to us, this has been taken into account in the context of the menu redesign. Personally, this was perhaps the only weakness of the menu, which currently emphasizes meat (tradition you see).

Nea Diagonios, especially in the first courses, has some inventive elements, such as the home made cheese made by the chef himself , which you really must try. The Athenian one with a delicious home-made mayonnaise was also excellent, as was the Agioreite eggplant salad.

When it comes to the main courses, tradition plays its part by giving priority to the meat. However, the suzukas that I tried were very good. The same applies to the desserts that come from the hands of the chef. Of course, I could not fail to mention the fact that Nea Diagonios has a particularly careful wine list, as well as excellent service.

After all this, and so that you don't have any doubts, I will tell you that it is far from accidental that Ioannis Chantakis is in the catering industry. His family has deep roots in the area of ​Thessaloniki catering, while he himself has done serious studies abroad with experiences gained alongside great teachers. So the positive sign for the restaurant is to be expected.

Normally my visit to Nea Diagonios should end at this point, but I have to admit that Ioannis Hadakis made quite an impression on me and so I spent some more time to get to know him better, to understand how he thinks and to see if the all the delicious dishes I tried, rest on a solid foundation. After all, this is necessary for a shop that aspires to go high. I can say that based on our discussion, I concluded that the chef's lofty goals have a realistic basis that make Nea Diagonio a good representative of Thessaloniki's quality catering , which is now making its presence stronger and stronger.

Nea Diagonios Greek Kitchen Address: Themistokli Sofouli 64A, Thessaloniki, 546 55 Tel: 2310 029085 Opening hours: daily 13:00-00:00, Sun. 13:00-20:00, Mon. closed Price: €25-45 (without the drink)