Everlasting flavours
Due to the death of Nitsa Halikia, mother of the owner, the tavern will remain closed until Sunday evening 5/14
Our taverna is hosted in one of the pretiest, traditional buildings in the village of Agios Ioannis in Corfu, counting more than a century of welcoming local people and foreigners who come to try tasteful, traditional, greek flavours.
Corfu - Agios Ioannis Feast - June 2015
Summer Feast at Agios Ioannis - Corfu. On June 24th is the Festival of Mid-Summers Eve and the eve of Saint John’s (Agios Ioannis) Feast Day.
In our village (and in most of the villages around Corfu) , the locals light 3 fires in the centre of the village. Fire is supposed to be a purifying and beneficial element. Before the locals jump through the fires, they wear a headdress made from olive branches. Once the locals are ready, they then jump through the fire 3 times. As they complete this ritual, they ask for “The blessing of God” from Saint John. Costas, Nitsa, Anna and Nikos are all present!
A quick look in the past
1976 - Costas Chalikias(centre)
In 1960 its fountaints, Nikos and Giannis Chalikias trusted the business to their son and nephew, Costas. With Costas in the wheel and his wife Nitsa in charge of the kitchen. As years are passing by the family grows bigger and raises two daughters named Loula and Anna. In 1982 Anna gets married to a man named Nikos Kaloudis and after a year together they renovate the old “guest house” of the village of Agios Ioannis turning it into the unique Pension of that village. Nikos, having cooking as hobby, starts getting involved with the kitchen and gives a rebirth on the taverna’s flavours and soul. Anna keeps on doing her best when it comes to acquinting and serving guests at the taverna.
In 2004 Costas and Nitsa decide to retire and leave the business in Nikos’ and Anna’s hands. Nikos, being passioned with the good food tasting, is trying to adjust the menu to the needs of each season.
Now and then, our taverna continues to be “the place” for local people and travellers that keep on coming in order to taste the old traditional, but also Nikos’ new secret recipies.