Citi — Review by Luke Martin
Chios, Greece — Greek BBQ
The reviewer visits a restaurant in Chios, Greece specializing in antikristo, a traditional lamb dish cooked over an open flame for about 3 hours. The lamb is of exceptional quality, fed on mountain herbs which naturally season the meat, resulting in incredibly tender and delicious meat that requires no seasoning beyond salt. The simplicity of the cuisine and the natural flavors of the locally-sourced lamb impressed the reviewer.
What was great: Simplicity of the food with natural flavors, high-quality lamb pre-seasoned from herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano that the lambs eat from the mountains, tender and juicy meat, traditional antikristo cooking method over olive wood fire
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The star of the show at Citi is undoubtedly the Antikristo, a traditional Greek lamb dish that embodies rustic elegance in its simplicity. Two premium lambs, weighing approximately 8-9 kilos each, are quartered and seasoned with nothing more than salt before being skewered and positioned opposite the open flame. This minimalist approach allows the true quality of the meat to shine through without distraction.
The lamb itself is extraordinary, thanks to the unique diet of the local animals. Fed exclusively on mountain herbs-rosemary, thyme, oregano, and other wild Mediterranean vegetation-rather than grass, these lambs essentially season themselves from the inside out. The result is meat so naturally flavorful and impossibly tender that even a partial sample midway through the three-hour cooking process practically melts in your mouth without requiring a single chew. The meat's natural juiciness is evident in the generous drips that cascade from the skewers as they cook over the olive wood flames, a visual testament to the quality within.
What makes dining at Citi so refreshing is this unwavering commitment to simplicity. There are no elaborate sauces, no complex preparations, no attempts to improve upon perfection. The kitchen understands that when you have access to exceptional ingredients like these herb-fed lambs, the best approach is to get out of the way and let the product speak for itself. The philosophy here is pure and honest: quality ingredients + proper technique + respect for tradition = unforgettable food.
The Experience
The atmosphere at Citi centers around the dramatic spectacle of open-flame cooking. Watching the lamb rotate and cook over the olive wood fire for three hours creates a mesmerizing, sensory experience that goes far beyond typical restaurant dining. The kitchen's transparency-allowing diners to witness every stage of the antikristo's preparation-adds theater and authenticity to the meal. The staff is knowledgeable and accommodating, explaining the cooking process, the origin of the ingredients, and the meaning behind the dish's intriguing name with genuine enthusiasm.
Value & Pricing
While specific pricing wasn't detailed in the visit, the value proposition is exceptional considering the quality of lamb, the lengthy cooking time, and the portion size of an 8-9 kilo animal. For those seeking premium, authentic Greek cuisine prepared with the finest local ingredients, Citi represents outstanding value.
Notable Moments
"The thing about the lambs here in Citi is that they're feeding on the herbs. There's not any grass. So they're eating like rosemary and thyme, oregano, fresh from the mountain. So they're like pre-seasoning themselves and it makes it even more delicious."
A memorable moment occurs when the reviewer tastes an early sample of the partially-cooked meat and reacts with genuine surprise at its tenderness and flavor, exclaiming that the meat is so soft you don't even need teeth. The staff's explanation of the etymology-antikristo meaning "opposite to the fire"-also provides cultural insight into this centuries-old cooking technique.
The Verdict
Citi is an absolute must-visit for anyone traveling to Chios seeking an authentic taste of traditional Greek cuisine. This restaurant is perfect for travelers who appreciate the philosophy that exceptional ingredients need minimal intervention, and for those willing to invest three hours in a truly memorable dining experience. If you believe that the best food comes from respecting your ingredients and honoring time-tested techniques, Citi will not disappoint. The extreme simplicity combined with extreme flavor makes this one of those rare restaurants that reminds you why cooking exists in the first place.