On this days unpleasant weather - flood warnings left right and center, this was a very welcome break.
Greeted at the door of no: 80, Milti swept my wife inside the house out of the blasting wind - not even asking who she was. I arrived a few minutes later, unwisely I left my new crutches at home, not wishing my friend to see the 'new' me. By the time I arrived at the front door, Milti in his charming way already had the pleasure of my wife, I mean meeting my wife. This was just their first meeting.
Entering the house we were met with a bevy of lovely young Cypriot ladies (Yfred?), Helen 1 and Helen 2. Helen 3 and Helen 4 were unavoidably detained with other engagements. Helen is the matriarchal name of the family. Then I met Mr Eccentric Nico, Milti's elder bro and his nephew. Poor Max was nowhere to be seen.
After the usual introductions and pleasantries we tried to talk about the good weather somewhere in the world - but with all the rainfall in Cyprus and the UK, talk about the weather simply dried out.
By this time my stomach was already 'playing drums', the reason being Miltis Kleftiko. In the lounge we were plied with diet coke (my request) and samosas with lovely spicy pokoras. I tried very hard not to eat too many as I knew what was on the menu.
It was not long before we were taken to the dining room where 1001 meze's filled the table. (stingy b*****d I thought. Trying to fill us up with mezes so he can have all the kleftiko for himself). I knew I should have left the pokoras and samosas alone. I thought they were the starters. I should have known better.
Then came the wine. A lovely St.Emillion - red. I had promised myself to refrain from drinking today, but the boquette was so tempting, I could not resist a measured amount, 8.5 ml to be precise. Purely as a taster. One thing I will say about Milti is his choice of wines. Suddenly I noticed the meze dishes had all been devoured and were being cleared off the table by the two Helens. Then, just like magic appeared the Super Milti Kleftiko. The mans a kitchen genius. It looked so nice and the aromatic spices he laced the lambwith were sooooooooooo hmmmmmmmmmm.
The conversation at the table began with tales of our youth in Cyprus, the naughty things us ,boys' got up to, then the price of coffee in Cyprus. We could not believe how expensive Cyprus had become. Ok, ok, I had 'credible evidence'. It just so happened, in my wallet I had a receipt from a certain 'Kafeteria Estiatorio Plateia' - Kakopetria. 2xKafes Kipriakos @ 0.50 ea, 2 ntop. mpyra at 1.00@. Total CY£3.00. Not bad eh? The date 10/04/2007. The EU screws everyone.
Thanks GR, I still owe you for that coffee and beer.
It was sad that our allocated time ended. We had left our Boris at home, even thoughwe had promised to bring him to Milti's. I wanted him to meet a canine OAP - Max, but Max was staying with Alex, so he did not miss anything.
Hesitatingly we said our goodnights and hoped that we would be invited again to this lovely household where Cypriot values and tastes are upheld.
Off we went home talking all the way about Milti's Kleftiko.
Thank you Milti, the Helens, Rico and Andrew and mum. You all made our day.
Thank you.
