Could you entice me with a stale dinner and a movie at the local mall?
Nah.
Could you entice me with gyros for dinner and a movie at a century-old, open-air theater surrounded by a garden under the stars?
Absolutely, yes.
Just hours after setting foot in Athens, we were in for a typical Greek summer escapade.
Tucked away in the up-and-coming Pangrati neighborhood sits a verdant, pocket-sized square lined with modest tavernas and cafes along the perimeter, while the interior of the square is filled with tables and chairs serves as an extension of the restaurants.
I catch up with my local ex-pat friends, and inevitable tour guides, over a quintessential first meal in Athens — pork gyros with tzatziki and tomatoes, juicy souvlaki, and fries.
I almost forget we’re in the middle of an ancient city while soaking up the ‘old’ Pangrati charms under the luscious canopy.