Lemonia Restaurant Primrose Hill London Review
Celebrated Greek Eatery in North West London NW1 U.K.
Jan 2, 2009
It is always such a pleasure to visit Lemonia Restaurant on Regence Park Road, the picturesque High Street in charming and fashionable Primrose Hill.
From Delicatessan to Celebrated Greek Restaurant
The Evangelou family started with a delicatessan in Delancey Street in 1964. Wanting to offer a wider selection of Greek-Cypriot cuisine, they decided to take their passion to the table and opened the Lemonia Restaurant in 1979. Originally at 154 Regence Park Road, it moved to its current location (across the road) in 1992 and has been packed ever since.
Architect Tony Ullman helped the Evangelous design the Lemonia Restaurant in its new venue. For one year the corner building was closed for renovation, boarded up, and painted with trompe l'oeil lemon trees heralding the promise of a bigger, brighter and buzzier eatery.
Everyone Gets Special Treatment at Lemonia
Tony steers the ship with admirable discipline and dedication. He could have retired many years ago but there he is everyday: smiling, warmly greeting his guests with an embrace or a continental kiss. Most of his clientele are regulars - everyone expects special treatment and they get it!
A Festive and Friendly Greek Eatery
Tony is Lemonia and Lemonia is Tony. Together with his charming wife Maria and his elegant sister Mena, the family exudes the warmth and family spirit of a Cypriot household that makes this place so festive and friendly. The waiters have been there since time began and never seem to leave; their hair over the decades turning from black to grey in their faithful loyalty to Tony.
Light and Airy with Impeccable Service
The place is spacious, light and airy with a main room and conservatory at the back with huge hanging baskets. It doesn't matter where you sit - the party atmosphere is everywhere!
Despite the hustle and bustle, the service is impeccable and the excellent staff are quick to take the orders and return with the delicious dishes.
A Delicious Menu
Starter favourites are succulent grilled Halloumi, Houmous, tsatsiki and fresh hot pitta, fried Calamari and healthy warm Louvia beans and of course a Mezze which includes all of these stallwarts.
For the main course perhaps a tender Stifado, slow cooked chunks of beef with baby onions, grilled Poussin with a crunchy Greek salad, tasty chicken shashlik served with rice or potatoes, a delicate sea bass or another of the specials which change daily . There are so many dishes to choose from and many vegetarian choices including broad beans in tomato sauce and other interesting recipes based on pulses and grains.
Desserts are simple but delicious. Greek yoghurt with honey, Mango Sorbet and of course lovely, sweet and naughty Baklava. The excellent wine list boasts selections from across the globe including a variety of wines from Greece.
Don't be surprised if the local glitteratti are sitting at your next door table. Amongst the loyal tribe are Jude Law, Ewan Mc Gregor, Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig , Paddy Cambell and the PM and Sarah to name but a few!
Lemonia Restaurant, 89 Regence Park Road, London NW1 Tel 0207 586 7454
£35 per head including house wine
Enjoy another great eating experience in London at the glamorous and sophisticated Le Caprice in Mayfair.
