Selene

Santorini, Greece

86 points

Restaurant

Selene

Santorini, Greece

Restaurant Selene, with its 36 years of history, has been acknowledged as one of the most important culinary and cultural landmarks of Santorini. Led by Michelin-star rated Ettore Botrini, today’s most important Greek Chef, Selene is known for defining and constantly reinventing Contemporary Greek & Cycladic Cuisine. The restaurant is located on a premium location within the hotel premises of Katikies Garden in Fira.

Location

Nestled in the historic town of Fira, Katikies Garden is an enchanting holiday resort on the beautiful island Santorini. This landmark sparkles with the legendary history of the island, and the luxury of the present. With a variety of 40 amazing suites, the renowned wellness and leisure offerings, Katikies Garden is distinguished amongst the top five-star luxury hotels in Santorini. A true asset of the resort is the gastronomical restaurant ‘Selene’.

Thirty-six years after its founding, Selene restaurant, led by chef Ettore Botrini, continues to put a modern twist on local gastronomy. Influenced by the imposing aesthetics of the old monastery in which the restaurant is currently based, the colours of the island, the abundance of the Aegean Sea and rare local ingredients that thrive among volcanic rocks influence the seasonal menus. The primary dining area is in a stunning and romantic courtyard, next to a fountain. At the end there is a bar area in a little pergola. The interior dining area has a long open kitchen and a contemporary design.

The Chef

The late Giorgos Hatzigiannakis and Selene Restaurant are names that are inextricably linked. Giorgo’s rediscovery and promotion of the culinary treasures of Santorini will live on thanks to his dedication and inspiration. On the occasion of Selene’s 35th anniversary, the restaurant was moved to Fira (the capital of Santorini) where it all began. Currently, the Selene philosophy is continued by the signatures of chef Ettore Botrini. Chef Patron Ettore Botrini, a Corfiot Italian with a long history in gastronomy studied in Switzerland and received culinary training all over the world. In 1999 he followed up his father at the famous restaurant Etrusco in Corfu and in 2011 he opened his dream restaurant Botrini’s in Athens. Ettore is also known from Greek television and has received several awards during his culinary career including a Michelin star for restaurant Botrini’s.

Executive chef Ettore Botrini and assistant Nikos Billis are already contributing to a new culinary evolution on this beautiful island. At their side you will find an incredibly driven kitchen team. Head-chef Vassilis Roussos and sous-chef Vasilis Psarris ensure the perfect execution of various signature dishes. At Selene, the extreme precision that desserts require is not forgotten. Pastry chef Christos Papadogiannis takes care of this plus in the experience. Another asset is the perfect and professional service led by manager Vasilis Economidis to ensure all guests an unforgettable experience.

Gastronomy

Selene is the goddess of the moon in ancient mythology which matches perfectly with the very romantic setting of the restaurant. This gastronomical experience, which seamlessly combines tradition and creativity, simplicity and purity, earth and sea, nostalgia and innovation, is without doubt one of the best on the island. Like in one of the amuse bouche ‘Sea Aura’, a chickpea tartlet with sea shells, green peas and fresh herbs.

Or there take on a Corfu orange salad, made in the way of the Elba island fishermen, where the chefs combine smoked swordfish carpaccio with fresh elements like orange parts, gelly & powder, fish mousse, flowers and cress.

Red mullet, baked to perfection, matches with zucchini pasta, pistachio and wild fennel pesto.

Another impressive signature dish is the Rose tarte, an olive oil phyllo pastry with beautiful layered filling of zucchini and topped with fresh truffle.

Other dishes from the tasting menu:

Wine

The wine list features some of the most sought-after wines in the world with a particular affection to the wines of Santorini. It is curated by Master of Wine, Yiannis Karakasis. Together with the Venetsanos winery, one of the most historic and innovative wineries of the island that since 1947 stands out for its very high-quality standards, he created a white wine ‘Selene Santorini Cuvée Privée’. It summarizes the essence of the Santorini terroir: minerality, high intensities and finesse. Not to miss as a pairing with the desserts is also one of the selected Vin Santo wines from Santorini.

Why Go?

Selene truly is an exceptional restaurant on the island of Santorini in Greece. The breath-taking courtyard is one of the most romantic dining areas, and combined with Executive Chef Ettore Botrini’s, reinvented contemporary Greek cuisine, it offers all guests a memorable culinary experience. Go there, enjoy, relax, experience and never forget.