With an enviable location overlooking Sandton's Nelson Mandela Square, the Pappas terrace, which sits directly behind the top of the square's giant bronze statue of Madiba, is always busy. Both at lunch times when the business crowd drop by, and in the evenings when it's a relaxed space separated from the hubbub below in which to enjoy a long evening of Mediterranean food and wine.
The menu is packed with all the usual Greek favourites such as keftedes (Greek meatballs), prawn saganaki and stuffed calamari and there's the option of creating your own meze platter to share or opt for one of the generous mains.
Pappas signature dish is the lamb kleftiko, meaning literally 'bandit's lamb' in Greek. At Pappas the super succulent and juicy kleftiko (choose from a neck or leg cut) is prepared according to a family recipe, that has been passed down through the generations, that apparently includes 'talking to the lamb and changing its nationality', before cooking it achingly slowly with plenty of herbs and a touch of garlic. For those with a taste for rich, red meat the kleftiko does not disappoint, although on arrival the size of the cut may intimidate the uninitiated.
We also also recommend the Pappas seafood, especially the whole line fish (on our visit rainbow trout was the fish of the day) which is grilled in classic Mediterranean style with olive oil, lemon and a sprinkling of fresh oregano. The crushed baby potatoes with olive oil, spring onions and herbs is the perfect side.
For dessert keep it simple with the 'Pappas dessert', a bowl of the thickest, creamiest Greek yoghurt topped with nuts and honey ('a blessing from Mr Pappas') that is surprisingly filling or a classic baklava and wash it down with a good strong Greek coffee.
Comments