Amazing geographic peninsula. Inter-island amazement. Rich history. Extravagant culture.
OPA! Greece is what you name it. From its grand blue and inviting waters to Homer’s Greek Gods and Goddesses with their equivalent grotesque structural houses; definitely, you’ll come and visit the mysteries of Greece. (And I can’t go on with this review if I keep talking about the wonders of one of my dream destination. Hehe)
In the city, CYMA is a Greek Taverna located at The Terraces, Ayala Mall that invites customers who desire a Grecian inspired ambiance. Opened on December 2008; five years strong and still operates well to give that wonderful pigging experience.
CYMA offers a variety of dishes that encapsulates Mediterranean experience specifically Greek. The Grecian inspired restaurant allows making you feel like you’re not in the Philippines, but in Greece.
Well, technically.
The restaurant itself gives a feel due to the Grecian color palettes which are Blue and White. I love how the chairs are painted blue too. But, truth be told, the huge glass windows differ from anything Greece. I definitely have the knowledge that the Grecian tavernas walls are stone and white with (sometimes) not very angular in manners and windows are undeniably small square/rectangular. I only wished they stood by the thought of ‘Greece’ and revamped all interiors to Greece-like.
But I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that they needed those huge glass windows for customers to see the full view of the restaurant from the outside.
The counter is a true touch of Grecian taverna with a huge blackboard marquee that tells their ‘specialties’ and some links to social media accounts, great.
Now the food.
Filipinos are rich in spices and extremely precise in tasteful dishes, and Mediterranean dishes offer usually the same.
One of the best things I learned about Greece is their Gyros. I read about it some time ago, and watched a travel show on TV which is some kind of Shawarma, a roasted meat with lots of spices wrapped in a pita. In CYMA, they have their specialty, the Chicken Gyros. Costing at about P160.00; Chicken Gyro gives you a taste of goodness. Offered as an opening for the dinner My partner and Ihad and sliced in two halves; the food simply wows me due to the fact that it’s not too much salty; a little bit bland that differs you from the displeasure sense right after mouthfuls (Pu-ol, sawa), resulting to disgust. With a spicy side sauce; you can never get away from the tasteful firework of flavors.
Chicken Gyro is probably one of the best CYMA has to offer. You definitely have to order this.
We next ordered the Katoupolo Lemonato. Costing at about (an expensive) P420.00, Katoupolo Lemonato is a Chicken offering with a side dish of potatoes, but cooked in a different manner. Once we get a taste of it; it then counterparts our opening dish (Chicken Gyros), which gives the taste of mixed sour and salty. The food is really delicious, and how they’ve done it, I have no idea. BUT one thing gives the food extra excitement: Lemon. The balance the lemon gives is what makes the offering perfect.
Katoupolo Lemonato in CYMA
But there’s one glitch of the food, after plenty of mouthfuls, it will give you the displeasure taste resulting to disgust (pu-ol, sawa). I pity the dish due to the fact that when we started to taste it; it gives me a euphoric moment because of the battling yet complimenting flavors.
TIP: The dish is good for 2, but due to the displeasure it give; I suggest you offer it to 4.
And then our last is Moussaka.
We started with Chicken Gyro that was oh-so-delcious! Then next was the Kotoupolo Lemonato that took me to heaven, but brought me down to earth just right after. Then we have Moussaka that took me from earth………….. to the deepest pit of hell.
Moussaka is Greece’s national dish that is layered in eggplant, beef, with smothering, thick white creamy sauce (béchamel sauce) and cheese at the top that looks similar to lasagna.
I am hoping that Greece wont ‘persona-non-grata’ me with this review on their National dish because I still have plans to go there, BUT I believe as a Filipino, I wouldn’t appreciate the uncomplimentary taste of beef plus eggplant plus a white sauce that spoiled our dinner. Not to disrespect Greece’s national dish, but I will definitely not suggest Filipinos should order this.
Oh good Lord, if only you can see my partner’s face while tasting Moussaka. We were truly laughing our asses off for ordering that.
Oh well, the more bad experience we get, the more I can write things on my blog.
And now, their WIFI. Definitely available and fast, I was happy. Again, internet is everything.
In a nutshell
I would love to add that I like the fact that their waiters are in costume. I asked the waiter who was in cowboy suit, and he answered me that their ‘theme’ is United Nations. One waiter was wearing a Greek God costume, and you can only see a few restaurants doing that, and it’s much appreciated.
Waiter in CYMA in full Greek Costume
And speaking of waiters, their all-male waiter (at that day and time) definitely were accommodating and F.U.N.! They have one dish there which was really interesting: I noticed the manager went near to the Korean customers saying “We will be shouting”, and I wondered what that could mean. And then the waiter with the Greek God costume was holding a heated plate with some bread-ish something on it and he grabbed a lighter and the plate started to burst in flames and everyone in the restaurant shouted “OPA!” which meant nothing in Greece but just an expression of being joyful or happy.
We were so amused with that presentation that happened twice.
In a nutshell, there are lots and lots of offerings CYMA have, and we only get a taste of three. They still have fish, pork and pasta dishes also wines, so, there wouldn’t be a prejudice here for how bad will all of their dishes be. That’s why I’ll be giving ratings to the food we ate.
In a nutshell, I wouldn’t be planning to come back anytime sooner in CYMA not because of the roller coaster ride dinner we had, but because of the price range which is out of bounds and definitely will hurt your pockets, and not to mention, no need for tip since you give a service charge of P90.00. BUT there’s one reason why I can come back to the taverna: Chicken Gyro, a definite winner.
Come visit CYMA at The Terraces, Ayala, with no reservations needed. Visit their full MENU on their website. OPA!
RATINGS:
Chicken Gyro – 10
Kotoupolo Lemonato – 8
Iced Tea – 9
Moussaka – uhm, -1? Just kidding, 2
Ambiance – 6
Service – 9
Value for Money – 7
One Setting Travels 