(bluesky-restaurant.gr) – Oia neighborhood in Santorini, Greece

How I heard of this place: We were most interested in sampling Ambrosia, another of the restaurants our cab driver suggested as the Best in Oia. We happened upon the establishment…which was closed. Assuming they only serve dinner, with their uber-high prices, we continued our walk down the marbled main pedestrian street to see what else we could find. Chris was very hungry and losing energy fast, so I popped into a jewelry shop and asked a friendly, young woman for her recommendation. She suggested Blue Sky for good food, and another place for the view. We wanted good food.

Type of cuisine: Seafood served with spaghetti and traditional Greek entrees.

Ambiance: The white taverna with beautiful Mediterranean blue gates, doors and chairs is bedecked with decoration related to the sea. Bright yellow, cartoon fish swim across the walls outside, shells and rocks placed at the footstep of each door and atop each outdoor window counter. Terra cotta vases with mostly dried plants are iterspersed throughout the large property, were diners can find casual outside or under the tarp-covered patio. There is no lack for seating options in the expansive space dedicated to the restaurant, even with the Asian tour groups who found the place before us. “The location of Bluesky Restaurant is ideal. It is in Oia, the most picturesque City of Santorini. The visitor can enjoy easily, both the world famous sunset and the historical places. It is surrounded by the wonderfull Oia Houses almost climbing at the rock of Santorini. Restaurant Bluesky has been built at the center of the famous sunset settlement of Oia, only 20 meters from the bus stop. Here you can have your meal and enjoy the breathtaking view.”

What I ordered: To start, Chris and I shared the Greek Meat Balls “Seftalies” (€8.90) with pork, minced lamb, parsley, and served with freshly fried frites, tomato & cucumber slices and a wedge of lemon, and…Tzatziki (€3.90). At the recommendation of our server, I chose the Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice (€7.90) as my main entree, served on a bed of fresh, shredded cabbage drizzled with the cooking oil, while Chris enjoyed (and shared) the “Soutzouki” Spicy Sausage (€7.50), “traditional, served with fried potatoes & tomato” over a bed of shredded cabbage. At the end of our meal, we were pleasantly surprised with a very lightly sweetened Baked Rice Pudding for dessert, on the house.

What I loved: I absolutely loved the spicy sausage, especially when paired with the stuffed tomatoes. In fact, they should make a stuffed tomato with rice and spicy sausage!

Why I loved it: The staff is very friendly, seems internationally diverse and the setting is spacious, set apart from the main tourist row of Oia.

Cost: Low to average (€7.50-€10.90 per entree)