Ever since I lived in Makati, I have developed a liking for “hole in the wall” restaurants. I found myself spending my Friday / Saturday nights in a quaint resto in Salcedo or Legaspi Village away from the hustle bustle of Greenbelt and Serendra. Yet, if there is one restaurant that would make me queue until 10 in the evening or prompt me to make a week long reservation, that would be Cyma Estatorio. “To flourish,” that’s what Cyma means and I have to say my zest for life flourishes when I end my week with a sumptuous Cyma meal.

Cyma offers Greek cuisine with the great inspiration of  filipinos: Nino Zulueta and Robby Goco. I have never been to Greece and I do not know what an authentic greek cusine tastes like. Yet, I would like to commend these two people for creating such heavenly dishes, might it be Greek or So-Greek.

Cyma offers a wide variety of Greek dishes and I always make it a point to try different dishes on my visits. Nonetheless, every dish I’ve tried seems to be forever etched in my taste buds.  I have always fantasized a Cyma Buffet and I have to say I’m willing to allot a day’s pay for that buffet, if that ever happens.

Here are my favorite cyma dishes and what I’d like to call the “Must Serve” in my Cyma buffet fantasy

Pikilia (P330) is a Sampling of 4 Dips served with Pita Bread. The 4 dips are Tzatziki: Cucumber, Garlic and Greek Yogurt dip; Melitzanosalata: Freshly roasted Eggplant, Tomatoes, Garlic, Fresh Lemon, and EVOO; Hummous: Velvety Chickpea, Tahini,and Garlic dip; and Htipiti: Creamed Feta cheese, hint of roasted spicy peppers and EVOO. This is an excellent appetizer and actually good for 5-6 persons. However, you will have to order more pita bread as the the dips cant seem to go away.

Sayanaki: Flaming Cheese (P220) is an alternative appetizer for two and is served with bread. If you want to hear every waiter in the room shout Opa! While actually flaming your cheese appetizer, then this is the dessert for you.

Roka Salata (P245, P360, P490) is an original cyma salad which is a combination of Fresh arugula, chopped Romaine letuce, sun dried tomatoes, and candied walnuts, served with shaved Parmessan in traditional Greek Vinaigrette. This is a must try for all Salad lovers. I am not one yet I found myself googling for a Greek Vinaigrette recipe, unfortunately,  I never came close to cyma’s roka salata and I just had ease my craving until my cyma dinner nights.

Chicken / Lamb Gyro (P140 – P190) is a Pita sandwich oozingly filled with marinated chicken or lanb topped, tomatoes, Tomatoes, Red Onions, and Tzatziki and pita.  Cyma’s gyros are the best!

  
 Souvlakia Souvlaki: Greek Shish-Kabobs (P240-P275) is actually a skewered beef / chicken / pork / fish with fresh vegetables served with warm pita bread and yogurt garlic sauce. This is a bigger alternative for the gyros, however the gyro is best with its combined fillings.

Cyma Lamb Chops – Shoulder Loin Chop (P390) Charbroiled lamb chops served with your choice of rice stuffed pepper or Greek roasted potatoes. What’s great about their lamb chops is that it doesnt have the “lamb smell,” this is a must try for all lamb lovers and for soon to be lamb lovers

Pastisado – Greek Osso Bucco (P290 – P480) is one of a kind spaghetti topped with big servings of Beef shank braised in Greek tomato sauce. The shanks are really tender and the sauce is just exquisite. The pasta is definitely a Cyma winner!

 

osso bucco

 

Garides mi Feta Spaghetti – Greek Gambas Pasta (P230 –P675) is the ultimate spaghetti with Roasted shrimps, tomatoes, Feta cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese. If you are looking for a pasta with a seafood twist, then is the one for you.

Moussaka (P235) is Greece’s National Dish with a thick and oozing layer of seasoned ground pork and beef, toasted Japanese eggplant and Greek Bachamel sauce. The dish is indeed a layer of Greek flavor and something that you wont be able to find anywhere.

 

Flaming Mangoes (P180) is the perfect way to end your meal. Mangoes flamed with an OPA! served with vanilla ice cream on the side is just oh so great!

Cyma’s Ultimate Iced Tea (P60) is an Original Cyma Recipe that will surely make you say “Ooohhh”. Dont worry you will not be served a sweetened packed tea as this is Freshly brewed every day! 

 A Cyma Dining experience is something you should not miss. From the palatable creations to excellent service, this is surely a great Greek experience in Filipino style.

For P300-P500 per person, every cent is all worth. just a warning: a taste of cyma can wake you up in the middle of the night and make you long for your next Cyma experience. in my case, it makes me dream of a Cyma buffet!

friends

Cyma branches are in Greenbelt 2, Shangrila Mall, Trinoma and D’Mall Boracay.

Opa!