You drive through the historical town of Kopanaki in the Tryfilia region of Messinia passing the sleepy cafes and shops. Then you start the uphill climb further north. As you approach the village of Kefolovrasi, the road starts to narrow. Upon entering the village, you reach a point where only a small car can pass (even if it is a 2-way street). You will pass a small cafe and then the village watering hole. Just before leaving the village, there is a sign on the right indicating In Ripesi. Before Kefolovrasi changed it's name, it was called Ripesi and this is the name of the taverna.
You will probably be greeted by one of the two owners, the husband and wife team of Perikles Kanelopoulos and Sotiria Papadimitriou. They have operated this establishment for 15 years and people come from far away places to experience the excellent farm-to-table cuisine here. All of their ingredients are either home-grown in their gardens or from local growers. The food is very unlike anything you will find in Athens. Our first time there, we simply said to bring us what they thought was best and indicative of the area.
Little did we know what was in store for us. First came the mezedes, appetizers. There was a bowl that looked like yogurt so we scooped a bit from the top. Perikles immediatly said "dig deeper, deeper". We then discovered an exquisite and delightful combination of eggplant, herbs and seasonings that cannot be described here. Then a creamy beet salad with bits of green apples and bean dishes we've never before seen.
The main courses included goat and pig dishes that melted in our mouths and an assortment of side dishes. Again, it was not the typical Greek food you would find at most restaurants; this was something unique. And topping it all off were three different deserts that were as light as a feather and extremely non-filling. After over 40 years of Greek food, my husband Paul said that it was the best Greek cuisine of his life. He should very well know because he's a Tuscan chef!
It’s rare to find places like this anymore: where the food isn’t just good, but soulful, rooted in the land and history, and delivered with heart by people like Perikles and Sotiria. Anyway, if you're ever in this part of Messinia, make sure you call for a resevation. With this quality and assortment, you can only imagine how booked they are.
In Ripesi ( ΕΝ'ΡΙΠΕΣΙ )
+30 27650 23046
