Truly Scrumptious - Traditional English Tea Room in Oroklini

Tried & Tested: Truly Scrumptious, Oroklini

Cupcake heaven at Truly Scrumptious Tea Room, Oroklini

Nestled among the traditional 'kafeneia' (village coffee shops) dotted along the arterial, narrow street of the old village settlement of Oroklini, you can't fail to notice the beautifully restored, white-washed house with Greek island style blue adornment. It's the kind of house you dream about living in when you move to the Mediterranean region with an enclosed courtyard hidden away from the world. So, when it opened as a traditional English tea room this summer it gave everyone the perfect opportunity to live life right there, even if it was just for the duration of eating some cake.

For the summer months, 'Truly Scrumptious' has been the bolthole of choice when sweet teeth have demanded sugary treats: succulent banana bread with peanut butter frosting, damp and deliciously tangy lemon drizzle cake, farmhouse style fruit cakes, delicately spiced carrot cake with an orange scented frosting, classic Victoria sponge, scones with jam, cupcakes, and apple pie with fresh cream, all washed down with a frothy cappuccino dusted with chocolate and eaten al fresco in the tranquility of the picturesque, shaded courtyard. Perfect 'me time'.

Now the cooler days have arrived, the tea room has reinvented itself to be equally as inviting for winter and the festive season with it's snug fit tables laden with kitsch mis-matched china, roaring real log fire, the latest magazines to flick through and a wonderfully cosy atmosphere, not to mention a brand new, hot menu. 

Fashion designer turned cupcake baker, Emma Green, moved to Cyprus in the spring with the dream of setting up her own tea room in a traditional village setting. Offering teas, coffees, cloudy lemonade, and kid-friendly icecream milkshakes, her range of cakes and made-to-order celebration cupcakes have become a welcome addition to the picturesque premises - which also houses the popular arts and crafts workshop, Just So Crafty.

"For winter I've introduced home made, fresh soups, such as leek and potato, carrot and coriander, cream of broccoli and tomato and basil, with herbs grown in the garden," offers Emma, aptly dressed in a floral tea dress and pink pinny whilst scribbling down the day's specialties on the blackboard. "The frittata with spinach, feta and basil was really popular last week and now we're starting with hearty stews, traditional Lancashire hot-pot and quiche. The menu changes every day depending on the weather and what local produce is in season." 

The roaring fire and shabby chic decor make for a relaxing spot to enjoy the quaint village life

And for Christmas there's lots more on offer. "Festive treats, mulled wine and traditional mince pies, plus I'm taking lots of orders for Christmas cakes, puddings and cupcakes."

The Christmas cake is a hit - luxurious dried fruits seeped in brandy, marzipan and royal icing - and it's deliciously moist in stark contrast to the bland supermarket offerings. Cupcakes are available in a host of different, inventive designs and all seriously affordable and highly covetable - they make ideal gifts.

On the 10th and 17th of December there's a special event for children too. Christmas stories around the log fire, 11am-12.30pm, €5 per child including soft drink or milk and cookies and a surprise present on the day. I wonder if that includes 'big kids' too?

Truly Scrumptious Tea Room, Anerxartsias 5, Oroklini 7040, Larnaca.
Tel: 99775631  Email: trulyscrumptious@mail-me.com

Oroklini - the modern Cypriot village of choice

The mountain backdrop and blue skies of Oroklini, Larnaca

Set against a mountain backdrop yet only moments from the beach, Oroklini boasts stunning scenery, a traditional Cypriot village character yet easily accessible modern facilities.

Situated just 10 minutes drive from the historic city of Larnaca – famed for its palm tree lined promenade - the airport is only a 15 minute ride away, 40 minutes brings you to the capital Nicosia and just 25 minutes delivers you to the world-renown beaches and night life of Agia Napa and Protaras. Oroklini really is a superb base to explore the island at your leisure.

The village itself has expanded in recent years from the original old settlement which still resides at the foot of the beautiful mountain. Here you can lose yourself in the winding narrow streets, stone built traditional white washed houses, a multi-award winning ‘meze’ taverna and trees bearing pomegranates, lemons, prickly pears and the heady scent of jasmine. For those dreaming of the perfect picture book old world style village that hasn’t been ruined by mass modernisation - look no further.

Whilst you can enjoy the historic treasures in the village you can also be assured that all amenities you could ever require are right here on your doorstep. Oroklini is famed for its tavernas and has an excellent reputation throughout the island for serving great food at prices to suit all budgets. 24 hour kiosks, a modern supermarket and bakeries mean you are never caught short on essential supplies and delicious baked goods. Pirilos bakery serves fantastic ice-creams too. Both traditional and modern coffee shops and bars are dotted around the village serving a great selection of food and drink to suit all tastes, from Cypriot cuisine to more international flavours, and if you’re craving a slap up Sunday roast or a full English breakfast you’ll also be catered for readily.  George, the local chemist, has a wonderful reputation and his expertise spares trips to the official doctors on many occasions and there’s a selection of banks and ATM’s plus a well stocked DVD store.  A little random fact is that the take-out pizzeria is run by a New York trained pizza chef…as you can expect the pizzas speak for themselves, and the local kebab shop – St Elias – is on the speed dial of all locals famed for their wonderfully fresh ingredients and charcoal grilled meats.

Prophiti Elias (The Prophet Elias) church found perched near the edge of the mountain side is soaked in legend and the natural beauty of the mountain begs to be explored – especially in the spring months when the wild flowers are in bloom and the scenery bursts into vibrant colour around you. Walking trails and picnic areas encourage residents and visitors alike to enjoy the breathtaking views of the village, nearby flamingo lake and Larnaca bay stretched out beneath and those taken by the charms of flora and fauna will be in their element.

A spring morning near Prophiti Elias church, Oroklini

Venturing down to the Dhekelia Road and beach front area of Oroklini you’ll find the hub of the tourist area. Luxury hotels line the sandy Blue Flag beaches and a whole host of entertainment to suit all ages and tastes is on offer as you would expect from a popular Mediterranean beach location. The choice of restaurants is really second to none with Greek and Cypriot tavernas, Italian trattorias, Lebanese, Chinese and sea-front fresh fish restaurants and what we can all attest to be the best Indian restaurant we’ve ever eaten at – Masalas (incidentally Peter Andre’s favourite restaurant in his native Cyprus!). There’s KFC, Pizza Hut and your usual suspects for quick fixes on a budget and a huge selection of bars and pubs to quench your thirst, entertain you and dance the night away in.

If hitting the tourist area sounds like too much hard work be assured - simply sitting under the shade of the bougainvillea at sunset with a glass of wine in hand you’ll be content to stay until the crickets chorus in the evening and the stars appear in the clear night skies. Oroklini is a wonderful location whatever your heart desires.

Article by Niki Proctor, initially published by BuyCyprus.net

Oriental Cuisine - Taste From Asia, Ayia Napa

Tried & Tested: Oriental Cuisine – Taste From Asia

The name won't win any awards - but the food may

Ten years ago I packed up a bag and travelled to the Far East to explore and having worked our way through Malaysia and the islands of Thailand, my boyfriend contracted a deadly mosquito virus and lay hospitalised in Bangkok. The upside was that for a fortnight the hospital chefs served up the tastiest, freshest, authentic Thai curries that I’ve ever eaten.

That was until last month when I set foot into the brand new restaurant from the owner of Ayia Napa’s Japanese restaurants, Hokkaido and Sapporo, and the Italian, De Medici. Amongst my party of six were fervent Chinese food critics (including me – I usually loathe the GMS-loaded food and gloopy, heavy sauces) and a mixture of spice lovers and those who find Thai food too hot to handle. We were set to be a tough bunch to please.

Luckily the well edited menu offers a procession of dishes to suit all tastes and you can request dishes to be mild or hot depending on your taste buds. We plumped for the ‘Oriental Mixed Platter’ (€16,50) to share, meze style, and everything arrived fresh and hot and was eaten as the chefs intended.

Exquisite morsels of succulent, juicy prawn made into deluxe canapés, a to-die-for satay sauce served with a tasty chicken skewer – the crunchy yet smooth peanut loaded sauce made by the chefs (who, infact, make every single sauce and marinade fresh each day – they have come to Cyprus directly from the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok afterall, so their repertoire is 5-star all the way). Later there’s a palate cleansing salad with prawns and melon, squid, a gorgeous duck and pomelo salad with ho-sin sauce that vanishes in seconds, mussels in a clear, spicy broth, a light tempura vegetable medley and the most succulent, velvety jasmine tea smoked spare ribs – none of which go spare.

When it comes to main dishes outstanding food moments arrive one after the other. The table erupts with discussion over which dish is the best and after heated debate we are forced to settle on three. The lemon chicken (€9,50); the fresh taste and aroma of pure lemons but with a burst of sweetness which brings the dish expertly together, the sweet and sour pork with pomegranate (€10,50); we all agree on this being in a world class of its own and perfectly balanced and finally the duck thai curry (€11,50) with pineapple, grapes and cherry tomatoes. This dish is phenomenally good with every flavour pronounced yet singing pitch perfect together with the right kick of chilli to neither offend or under-deliver. Perfection in a bowl and not a hospital in sight.

At dessert time I’m advised to try the chocolate soufflé which we order with 6 spoons. It’s dark and innocent looking from the outside but with pressure from a spoon a pool of sexy chocolate goo oozes from the centre. Devine. Wine throughout the night was moreish and beautifully balanced – the 2005 Hadjimichalis red being my personal favourite (€28).

Service and décor both hit the spot – the former being impeccable; attentive, courteous and friendly, and the décor, I’m informed, includes the hand-illustrated wall art by an up and coming artist who is living in Cyprus at the moment. Think Geisha art, oriental palaces, jasmine flowers and cherry blossom in metallic gold. Tasteful, different, modern. Just like the food. The name won't win any awards but I'm sure that the food will. We’ve all been back for more.

Oriental Cuisine - Taste From Asia

Yianni Ritsou Str

23721568

Article by Niki Proctor, which appeared in the Cyprus Weekly newspaper.

Review: Therapolis, Limassol

Tried & Tested: Semi Permanent Makeup

Example of impressive results

Jennifer Aniston once said “There are no regrets in life – just lessons” but she obviously hadn’t overzealously attacked her eyebrows with the tweezers with her giddy teenage hand. If I have one regret it’s doing just that.

If eyes are the window to the soul then the eyebrows are the frames and there are plenty of reasons to choose the semi-permanent makeup option of having them expertly tattooed onto the skin – from chemotherapy patients who’ve sadly lost their hair to those who fell victim to the thin arches which were de rigueur in the 1980’s and 90’s. Now a bushier brow is order of the day and the semi permanent route is fast becoming the quick fix solution – added to the fact that you wake up (or emerge from the sea) with brows intact.

Therapolis, the advanced beauty solutions centre in Limassol, is the ‘go to’ option for the socialites and beauty conscious Russian contingent for semi permanent makeup. Offering lips and eye liner, in addition to eyebrows, this centre has set a new standard for a whole manner of pioneering treatments and beauty procedures.

After a reassuring consultation, your brows are numbed with a cream before the in-demand therapist, Jules, sets to work with the fine needle drawing in each individual hair forming the required shape and arch. The sensation of the needle on my face causes a strange, irritating sensation in the base of my spine but the treatment isn’t unbearable in terms of pain. Jules tells me many people feel the urge to sneeze. You’re consulted every step of the way and the whole process takes around 1.5 hours.

When finally faced with the mirror I was a little swollen and red but aside from that I was presented with the most perfect brows which are even an improvement to the previous ones I painstakingly painted on each morning with an Estee Lauder pencil! Tiny scabs form over the next few days which are calmed by a healing cream that you’re provided with and it’s advised to wear sunglasses until they fall off, and take care until the assessment 6 weeks later. After only 1 week I have brows I could only have dreamed of and I can hit the snooze button each morning as I’ve shaved 10 minutes off my daily make over routine!

Therapolis, 3 Pergamou St, Potamos Germasogeia, 4041 Limassol

t: 25328585 e: info@therapolis.com w: www.therapolis.com

Spa Review: Aeneas Spa, Ayia Napa

Spa Review: Aeneas Spa, Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Sea of Tranquility at the beautiful Aeneas Spa in Ayia Napa

Whilst I’ll happily admit I’m not the most stressed out person I know, the past few months have been so hectic that I’ve hardly had a minute to pamper myself (cue violins!) so when the glossy brochure for the Aeneas Spa found it's way into my 'repetitive-strain-injury-from-typing' hands I felt blissed out just looking at the pictures. Being familiar with Ayia Napa's party reputation I was dubious - could there really be a haven of peace and rejuvenation situated right in the midst of it all?

My treatment began with their signature ‘Sea of Tranquillity’ which delivered on all of it’s promises; the steam, sauna, flotation sequence all prepared me for my therapist, Beth, so I was relaxed, clean, and ready to regenerate my being.

Not wishing to be controversial, knowing the dangers and wrinkle-inducing power it harbours, I love sunbathing and with Cyprus' enviable Blue-Flag coastline it would be frankly rude not to. But as any sun-worshiper is keenly aware of, the secret to a long lasting, deep tan is correctly prepped, smooth skin, and thorough exfoliation is a must. The Satin Shimmer (€40) treatment with salt crystals was a tanners dream come true and the perfect start point to the Sea Holistic Relaxation and Radiance treatment (€80 for 55 minutes) which is, quite honestly, the best spa treatment I have ever enjoyed. Beth combined not only deep tissue massage, but boluses filled with sea salts and lavender to further exfoliate, moisturise and fully relax my entire body. I swear I had an out of body experience as my mind literally floated away to a womb like existence. This is not hyperbole!

The Age Expertise facial (€40) followed which totally rejuvenated and plumped up my skin. After it felt as soft as a baby’s to touch and all the fine lines around my eyes were softened and far less noticeable – an effect which lasted, unbelievably, for days.

With fluffy, soft, white towels and robes, the finest Phytomer spa products and skilful therapists like Beth, you cannot fail to feel reborn after a visit to the gorgeous Aeneas Spa in Ayia Napa. Infact, just looking at the picture above is sending me off into a dream world…a must-visit subterranean spa and the perfect post party escape.

www.cyprusspa.com.cy

5-star Aeneas Hotel & Spa

Tel: 23 723 005

Email: spa@aeneas.com.cy

Article by Niki Proctor, August 2011

Hair Genius at Blow, Nicosia

Tried & Tested: Salon review – Blow 

Angelos Pattas works his magic at Blow

I’d heard it a million times before. “When you find THE ONE you will just know. You’ll click and there will be a connection like no other!” I’d never believed it until I heard the magic words I’d been waiting to hear for so long.

“I am SO over layers!”

And so my new love affair began. “We’ve been doing them for 20 years now. It’s boring. It’s time for something new!”

Meet Angelos Pattas. Hair genius extraordinaire residing in Nicosia and single-handedly taking over as the reigning champion of modern, sexy, cutting edge hair chopping and ‘the one’ for the highest profile fashion shows and fashionista clients from Nicosia. With a hip sound-track as background to his theatre he has surrounded himself with a like-minded, passionate team - all of whom are self-confessed hair lovers.

Pattas is not short of ideas. Whether it’s the interior design of his new salon just off the main shopping street in Nicosia (he outgrew his last salon due to his popularity as he now has 17 staff members) to shunning the easy option layer, he is highly creative and has a great eye for detail.

So, if I didn’t get layers what did I get? Well, after a colour, wash and an exquisite head and neck massage it was cutting time; blunt at the bottom but with a single layer at the face, which is totally disassociated with the bottom of the hair. Sounds weird in theory but it’s revolutionized my hair. For the first time ever I have hair that I can do something with and the colour is a perfect match to my complexion. He says ‘we’ are going to grow the very last layer out. See…he said ‘we’. He obviously sees a future for us too. I’ve found THE ONE.

Top Hair Tip?

Kerastase Soleil Huile Celeste and Alterna shine sprays help to protect hair in the summer. Elixir by Kerastase delivers silky, smooth hair and the latest bamboo range by Alterna leaves perfect hydration and flexibility to the hair.

Top Celeb Hair?

Madonna seems to be rocking some of the most exquisite hair styles around lately. Chic, golden waves framing the face in the most modern way!

Blow, 28-34 Kypranoros Str, 1061 Nicosia Cyprus, Tel: +357 22 679 888

Article by Niki Proctor for VIP Cyprus Magazine, August 2011