Cyprus-Forum.com

[Mills Chapman]

Hello everybody. I live in Philadelphia in the USA, and a Cypriot restaurant is opening in two months on my block, literally six doors down from my apartment building. I want to be very welcoming, and maybe bring them a gift. I'm not looking to get free food in return but rather a friendship bond as I may move to Cyprus someday. Is there a particular welcome gift that I should get them - like ouzo?

Here is the article about the restaurant from my city's paper: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/food/200 ... pruce.html

"Table Talk: New at 10th and Spruce
By Michael Klein

The corner of 10th and Spruce is expected to have not one but two newcomers in the next few months... Konstantinos Pitsillides, who cooked at the recently closed Meze in South Philly, settled last week on the space on the northwest corner...Pitsillides, working with wife Caroline, says the concept of Kanella - Greek for cinnamon - will be Greek-style Cypriot BYOB. Pitsillides, who grew up on the Mediterranean island, calls it an amalgam of Greek, Turkish, French and Italian - basically a round-up of the conquerors. He hopes to open in March. Pitsillides previously worked in London for 14 years and briefly worked at Bistro St. Tropez."

Here is a photo of the new owners:

[orokliniservices]

best way to welcome it.. in my opinion.. be a regular customer yourself and SPREAD THE WORD. word of mouth is the best marketing tool out there, tell your friends, who will then tell their freinds and so on. Enjoy the cafe!!

[Sega]

Emm.... I guess just be nice and welcoming. My parents owned a Chip Shop in England and the nicest customers always brought a piece of Cyprus with them. Some brought collector coins, we had one who brought an orthodox icon, one even brought a hat but I think that was from Mexico .

The worse customers use to tell us how Cyprus either belongs to Turkey or the United Kingdom. You have to be careful when talking politics. Don't ever say you're going to Turkey either, I don't have to say why.

[Mills Chapman]

Orokliniservices and Sega,

Thanks for your replies. They make perfect sense. Business is business, and I will try to be a regular and welcoming customer. Cheers, Mills

[paliometoxo]

take him some shoushoukkos and xaloumi ;p

but seriously just go over have a chat be a good customer ;p

[Mills Chapman]

Paliometoxo,

Thanks for your reply last Monday to my question about a new Cypriot cafe on my street in my American city. I've already been able to contact him (as his restaurant hasn't opened yet), and I've found out that he's from Lemessos. He seems like a nice chap, and I look forward to his restaurant opening in March so that I can visit it. He mentioned that he'll teach me some Greek words if I come by.

Have a good day.
- Mills

[zan]

For gods sake don't take them anything but your business. If they are true to their roots then they will never feel comfortable in charging you ever again.....

[Sega]

Paliometoxo,

Thanks for your reply last Monday to my question about a new Cypriot cafe on my street in my American city. I've already been able to contact him (as his restaurant hasn't opened yet), and I've found out that he's from Lemessos. He seems like a nice chap, and I look forward to his restaurant opening in March so that I can visit it. He mentioned that he'll teach me some Greek words if I come by.

Have a good day.
- Mills

That's true, my dad always did the same. He taught them to the point where they could communicate with the locals, for some reason they always wanted to learn the naughty words first.

I guess their word span began at yiasou (hello) and ended at malakas (jerk/wanker). They enjoyed it though, they would normally come in the shop and start swearing at me in Greek which was funny, especially since I was in England (not London).