NEW & AEGEAN - A Modern Greek Culinary Odyssey

For millennia, wine, food and myth have been woven into the soul of Greece - a civilization shaped by philoxenia (the art of welcoming strangers). From the revels of Dionysus to the hunger pangs of Tantalus, gods and mortals alike have succumbed to the pleasures of the table.

Today, Greece stands amidst a vinous renaissance. The cliché of pine-resin soaked retsina has given way to a confident new generation of winemakers crafting world-class wines from ancient native grape varieties. Assyrtiko's saline precision, Moschofilero's perfume, Agiorgitiko's velvety power, and Xinomavro's nobility are as compelling as the sunlit landscapes that birthed them.

The seven wines - each with its own story from across the Aegean - have been drawn from the private cellars of committee members Cheryl Roux and Mikey Clark. They are thoughtfully curated, hard-to-find bottles selected from the native grape varieties described above.

Paired with the vibrant and generous flavours of Greek cuisine, these wines create a harmony worthy of Aphrodite and Adonis.

On this special evening, we will gather at Lemonia, a much-loved, family-run gem in Primrose Hill. Expect a generous three-course feast brimming with Mediterranean warmth and flair. The starters are a selection of hot and cold mezedakia with pitta bread. The main courses are choices of chargrilled shashlik meats, slow-baked lamb, classic moussaka, a grilled fish or vegetarian Gemista. For dessert, indulge in baklava, yoghurt with berries, nuts and honey, and other sweet delights.

As Time Out’s Food & Drink Editor Leonie Cooper writes:

“This family-run Primrose Hill joint is everything you want from a neighbourhood Greek taverna. The vine-clad dining room is abuzz with garrulous chatter, boozy toasts and local gossip, with the odd famous face adding some extra glitz, while the kitchen serves up traditional Hellenic sunshine in the shape of vast mezédes, charcoal grills, stews and other classics.”

The evening is being offered at a very special price of £65 for IWFS members and £75 for non-members, thanks to the generosity of Lemonia's owner and the Capital Branch members contributing their wine.

Lemonia

89 Regent’s Park Road

London NW1 8UY

(5 minutes from Chalk Farm Underground)