Sunbow Restaurant
By the lintv team
Zenon was busy tending to guests but he managed to find a few moments, between starters and the main course, to speak to us about his favourite local wines. He suggested a Keo Heritage Classic Red 2006 from a rare Cyprus indigenous grape variety 'Maratheftiko' grown in Limassol to accompany the steak. A smooth mellow and deeply delicious quality local wine, it is good to know that such wine exists on the island. The owners combined knowledge of every single Cypriot vineyard and label is helpful when choosing local wines.
Phytos recommended King Prawns Saganaki and the Chilli fillet Steak and who were we to say no? The prawns, delicately fried in butter with tomatoes, garlic, onions, dry white wine and feta cheese, were an absolute dream.
As for the gorgeous sumptuous fillet steak, it is no exaggeration to say that it was the best ever tasted - including those sampled in some of the finest steak joints in the USA. Cooked to perfection and so tender the knife slid effortlessly through the piquant juices, it's obvious Sunbow's steaks are of exceptional quality.
We were so pleasantly full we could barely think about coffee let alone dessert. Nevertheless, after we ordered cappuccinos, ‘Strawberries à la Sunbow’ and a chocolate crepe arrived on the table. The fruit was lightly flambéed in brown sugar and served with strawberry sauce. The crepe was prepared to perfection and delicately filled with creamy chocolate ice-cream. Exquisite!
One of the nicest things about Sunbow Restaurant is Octavios, the waiter. There aren’t many waiters who from just a glance across the room come over and light up your cigarette and then follow it with an impromptu massage.
It’s unlikely that Octavios does this for every customer (only very tired ones!) but he was attentive without being overbearing and never stopped smiling. Octavios, from Romania, has been with Sunbow for four years, and the professionalism of his service showed. It's obvious he loves his job.
One of the oldest restaurants in Paphos, the Sunbow has truly stood the test of time with home cooking and friendly service for a quarter of a century. You’ve probably noticed the antique English limousine parked outside as you drive up from Kato Paphos. But if you have never stepped inside, don’t hesitate any longer. It's a restaurant with pedigree.
Proprietors, Phytos and Zenon welcomed us personally. Phytos even dined with us and told us tales about Paphos in the old days and of his work as President of the Cyprus Restaurateurs’ Federation which he takes very seriously. These are a team of real professionals. The couple first met back in their training days as chefs several decades ago and have been working together as partners ever since.
We weren’t getting special treatment though. Diners, ranging from young couples to families with children, were all being as well looked after as us. It isn’t surprising that some customers have been visiting Sunbow again and again for more than twenty years. Cypriot hospitality and a genuine welcome and good old fashioned courtesy are alive and well at Sunbow.
The restaurant interior is cosy and relaxing with traditional items decorating the walls and original paintings, specially commissioned for Sunbow, are beautiful to glance at. It is like dining at a friend’s with the décor reminiscent of a traditional Cypriot dining room complete with fireplace and beams
Although Sunbow has a wide menu of delicious International cuisine and Cypriot classics, the steak and seafood dishes are its speciality.
We started with a tasty ‘combo’ dish each accompanied by the fruity Vasilikon dry white. An array of meze specials on one plate, they are, as Phytos said, designed to keep things tidy, instead of being served dish after dish of meze in the traditional way. Our mini-portions of dips, cheeses and seafood were no less delicious for being on one plate and home-made bread with garlic butter gave the finishing touches.
Sunbow is Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Address: Danaes Street, Blue Horizon, Block C. Kato Paphos
Telephone: 26 964 367
The evening ended on a perfect note with more frothy cappuccinos and the Cypriot digestive, Filfar.
Sunbow is ideal for an intimate dinner but is also available for wedding receptions and large parties. If it's your birthday, you might be just lucky enough to get a visit from the Sunbow Fireman. We won’t say anymore, but don’t forgot to ask for him.
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