A myriad of Mediterranean meals: from casual eats to fine dining

Bucharest diners have embraced Mediterranean food with gusto, as restaurants serving this cuisine have been on the scene for several years now and do a lively trade. BR scoped out the latest Mediterranean-rebranded eatery, Retsina.

Oana Vasiliu

In December 2013, Romanian businessman Florin Radulescu sold the premium Osho restaurants in the Primaverii neighborhood to Georgios Malideros. The Greek businessman made a EUR 180,000 investment in the venues, acquiring almost EUR 120,000 of new kitchen equipment such as Josper grill-ovens – a novelty on the Romanian market, but which are common sights in Michelin-starred restaurants and used by top chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver.

Malideros is projecting turnover growth of 30 percent, with Retsina set to contribute 40 percent. Former owner Radulescu declared in October 2013 that Osho would reach a EUR 2.8 million turnover, from EUR 2.5 million in 2012. Regarding the average occupancy rate, Malideros also hopes that his restaurants will be fully booked for lunch and dinner. The average bill for both outlets remains RON 200.

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The Greek businessman chose to rebrand Osho Fish as Retsina, upgrading the menu and promising fresh Mediterranean fish and seafood two to three times per week. The menu will therefore rotate, depending on what types of Mediterranean goodies can be found on the international markets in Greece. “We are still adjusting the menu as we want to serve almost every type of Mediterranean flavor, from East to West,” said executive chef Iosif Stefanescu.

Retsina’s specialties are ouzo seafood linguini, black cod, coq with mushroom ragout, and speck and strawberry risotto, along with retsina wine, which has been produced in Greece since ancient times. Cooking expert Sheila Lukins has dubbed it the “quintessential Mediterranean wine”, applauding it as an accompaniment for all types of Mediterranean cuisine, according to the GoGreece portal.

Client profile

Corporate background

Over 35

Interested in casual to fine dining

Average bill RON 200

Further reading: Check out the best restaurants in El Paso, Texas

Other Mediterranean options in Bucharest

Mesogios

49 Jean Louis Calderon St. / 021 317 1355

The oldest and most reliable fish house in town serves a wide variety of fresh dishes cooked in a straightforward, simple, Mediterranean manner.

Bellini

2 Ion Ghica St. / 021 310 2978

If you close to Universitate and crave an Italian dish, this is the place to go. Pasta fans should try the tortellini al forno or the cannelloni della nona al forno. The fish dishes are also a specialty, and there’s a wide range of pizzas.

Charme

12 Smardan St. / 021 311 1922

A minimalist design, classy atmosphere and well-balanced menu that combines some fine pasta dishes, including seafood and fish, with generous steaks and a good selection of desserts.

Gargantua

69 Jean Louis Calderon, Icoanei Park / 021 211 4041

This lovely place is eccentrically attractive inside, but also boasts a delightfully leafy terrace on the fringes of Icoanei Gardens. It is best visited for lunch or dinner, as it is not a place to chill out with just a drink.

Osteria Gioia

16 Ion Mihalache Blv. / 021 311 3750

From the starters list try the delicious oven-baked pancakes with fontina cheese, porcini mushrooms and parmesan cheese – but the menu’s forte is its pastas. Highlights are the sophisticated tagliatelle with Saint Jacques scallops flambéed in cognac and shellfish sauce, and the simple linguine with tomatoes and fresh basil.