Chef & his team
Chef Christo and his team of 4 sous chefs and his chief pizzaiolo Niko continuously innovate aiming at combining traditional Italian dishes with the best Greek produce. Although Cardinale’s cuisine is, in broad terms, described as Italian, the artful mix with traditional Greek culinary values, achieve an overall result that is best described as Italian – Mediterranean. Christo is of Greek – Egyptian descent and has been influenced by the cuisine traditions of Mediterranean countries. What he creates is basically Italian but with a “twist”. He always gets feedback from Cardinale’s patrons, adapting his creations to what diners are telling him.
Our story
Cardinale was founded in 2019 by Fotini Pantzia and Kostis Vlasopoulos. Fotini with a 25 years career in the wine industry, is the founder and owner of the wine bar By the Glass. Since its opening in 2012, By the Glass has become a talk of the town. Kostis is a second generation restauranteur. The family restaurant, Dia Tauta caters to Greek food lovers, being a top choice for both locals and tourists for over 30 years. In 2020, Johnny Kalimeris joined Fotini and Kostis as a partner in the business. With a 35 years career as a Media Executive, Johnny brought in the business his management savvy and his huge experience as a customer of the world’s best restaurants. Johnny runs the business on a day to day basis, and is responsible for marketing the restaurant. The three, supplement each other perfectly, combining their expertise, personal taste and business acumen. Together, they taste and approve all the dishes of the menu, explore the Greek market for the best and freshest produce, overlook the service, handpicking the best people in the market. They are very proud of the success of Cardinale which, in a very short period of time has become one the best Italian restaurants in Athens.
Cardinale was founded in 2019 by Fotini Pantzia and Kostis Vlasopoulos. Fotini with a 25 years career in the wine industry, is the founder and owner of the wine bar By the Glass. Since its opening in 2012, By the Glass has become a talk of the town. Kostis is a second generation restauranteur. The family restaurant, Dia Tauta caters to Greek food lovers, being a top choice for both locals and tourists for over 30 years. In 2020, Johnny Kalimeris joined Fotini and Kostis as a partner in the business. With a 35 years career as a Media Executive, Johnny brought in the business his management savvy and his huge experience as a customer of the world’s best restaurants. Johnny runs the business on a day to day basis, and is responsible for marketing the restaurant. The three, supplement each other perfectly, combining their expertise, personal taste and business acumen. Together, they taste and approve all the dishes of the menu, explore the Greek market for the best and freshest produce, overlook the service, handpicking the best people in the market. They are very proud of the success of Cardinale which, in a very short period of time has become one the best Italian restaurants in Athens.
Cardinale was founded in 2019 by Fotini Pantzia and Kostis Vlasopoulos. Fotini with a 25 years career in the wine industry, is the founder and owner of the wine bar By the Glass. Since its opening in 2012, By the Glass has become a talk of the town. Kostis is a second generation restauranteur. The family restaurant, Dia Tauta caters to Greek food lovers, being a top choice for both locals and tourists for over 30 years. In 2020, Johnny Kalimeris joined Fotini and Kostis as a partner in the business. With a 35 years career as a Media Executive, Johnny brought in the business his management savvy and his huge experience as a customer of the world’s best restaurants. Johnny runs the business on a day to day basis, and is responsible for marketing the restaurant. The three, supplement each other perfectly, combining their expertise, personal taste and business acumen. Together, they taste and approve all the dishes of the menu, explore the Greek market for the best and freshest produce, overlook the service, handpicking the best people in the market. They are very proud of the success of Cardinale which, in a very short period of time has become one the best Italian restaurants in Athens.
Menu
Cardinale’s menu was designed to combine traditional recipes from Northern Italy with the best Greek products. Fine tuned to please Italian food lovers that live in or visit Greece. From big local green salads combined with Italian sauces to Aegean fishes and local meats cooked in traditional Italian ways. Pizzas and pasta share in the game by staying true to their Italian roots but with a local twist.The Antipasti offerings are the same as the ones found in Northern Italy.
BEST QUALITY MATERIAL
DAILY CHANGING DISHES
WHAT CHEF’S DRINKING
THE BEST GREEK WINES
Wines & Spirits
Cardinale’s extensive wine list was carefully designed to pair exceptionally well with what our menu has to offer. Our impressively designed cellar has over 80 labels from Italy, Greece and the New World. The list is continuously updated under the care of Fotini, whose impressive wine background guarantees that Cardinale is always up tempo with Italian and world trends.
Cardinale’s impressive bar stokes a big range of spirits for those that want to start or finish lunch or dinner with high end spirits.
How to Find Us
