Sotiris - Hamburg

Full disclosure: Sotiris is my favorite place to eat. I have been going there about once every 2 or 3 months for at least 5 or 6 years. My last visit was in April 2016. I am well acquainted with the owner and the head waiter nick-named Speedy. Still, I will do my very best to stay objective.I am certain you can find better Greek food in Hamburg, though personally I haven't found any (yet). Admittedly I haven't been looking too hard. Yet I can honestly say I have never heard anyone who has been to Sotiris say "you gotta check out XYZ because it's better".Still, I find the quality of the food fluctuating a bit. For instance, one day the (home-made) bread is fresh and warm and perfect, another day it's dry. One day the mixed entree plate is too die for, another day the various ingredients are too cold. So a bit more consistency really couldn't hurt.Anyway, personally I highly recommend the Arnisio (two grilled lamb skewers with sides that are a steal at 11,50 EUR), the pork skewers, the zaziki, the garlic potatoes, mentioned mixed entrees, and Torolu (veggie stew with Feta cheese). However, the food is just one part of the experience. There is also the atmosphere, which is more like a rustic and somewhat scruffy beach tavern. Especially when it's dark outside and the candles are lit, Sotiris is a very warm and welcoming place. I very much prefer that to the usual bright, temple-like look that seems to be the standard for Greek restaurants these days.Then there is the staff. I perfectly understand why some other reviewers have been put off a bit. You won't find devout, always smiling waiters here. Instead you will encounter dry humor that may get lost in translation, but is as genuine to Hamburg as the Reeperbahn. Personally I wouldn't want to have it any other way.Sotiris must be understood as an institution in one of Hamburg's most attractive and multi-cultural neighbourhoods, i.e. Ottensen. It has seen a couple of decades of gentrification, but under the surface its heart still beats. I recommend you spend a day here. Take a stroll along Altonaer Balkon over to Oevelgoenne, have a drink at the Strandperle. Buy some great food at the Kaufmannsladen and the Turkish greengrocer Afu across from it. Have a coffee at the Aurel, then head for a dinner at Sotiris and conclude the day at the fabled Familieneck and I am sure you will understand - and appreciate.

Sotiris ..... Well ...... It was quite an experience ..... A bad one, mostly.... Ok, maybe the food was let's say 'ok', and the prices were good, BUT ...a 'greek' restaurant with arabic decorations that the owner (or the manager, I wouldn't know for sure) treats a GREEK customer (that goes for the first time and very excited) like a nobody ... well ... for sure I wouldn't go back .... I haven't experienced so rude behavior EVER. And even though I called from the hotel to do a reservation and told me it wasn't needed, I got there and they told me they were full booked. I waited (even though I should have left) and I sat with other 2 people I didn't know, after being asked -in greek- 'so,what do you want?' (!!!!!). They told me they'll change my seat later but didn't. Awful smell and treatment. Talk about 'greek hospitaliy' ... oh well ... I'm guessing the participation (and publicity) from Adam Bousdoukos (Soul Kitchen movie) didn't help much, or if it did (as in my case) it won't help in the future. They need to learn some manners !!!!!

Full disclosure: Sotiris is my favorite place to eat. I have been going there about once every or months for at least or years. My last visit was in April I am well acquainted with the owner and the head...waiter nick-named Speedy. Still, I will do my very best to stay objective. I am certain you can find better Greek food in Hamburg, though personally I haven't found any (yet). Admittedly I haven't been looking too hard. Yet I can honestly say I have never heard anyone who has been to Sotiris say you gotta check out XYZ because it's better Still, I find the quality of the food fluctuating a bit. For instance, one day the (home-made) bread is fresh and warm and perfect, another day it's dry. One day the mixed entree plate is too die for, another day the various ingredients are too cold. So a bit more consistency really couldn't hurt. Anyway, personally I highly recommend the Arnisio (two grilled lamb skewers with sides that are a steal at EUR), the pork skewers, the zaziki, the garlic potatoes, mentioned mixed entrees, and Torolu (veggie stew with Feta cheese). However, the food is just one part of the experience. There is also the atmosphere, which is more like a rustic and somewhat scruffy beach tavern. Especially when it's dark outside and the candles are lit, Sotiris is a very warm and welcoming place. I very much prefer that to the usual bright, temple-like look that seems to be the standard for Greek restaurants these days. Then there is the staff. I perfectly understand why some other reviewers have been put off a bit. You won't find devout, always smiling waiters here. Instead you will encounter dry humor that may get lost in translation, but is as genuine to Hamburg as the Reeperbahn. Personally I wouldn't want to have it any other way. Sotiris must be understood as an institution in one of Hamburg's most attractive and multi-cultural neighbourhoods, i.e. Ottensen. It has seen a couple of decades of gentrification, but under the surface its heart still beats. I recommend you spend a day here. Take a stroll along Altonaer Balkon over to Oevelgoenne, have a drink at the Strandperle. Buy some great food at the Kaufmannsladen and the Turkish greengrocer Afu across from it. Have a coffee at the Aurel, then head for a dinner at Sotiris and conclude the day at the fabled Familieneck and I am sure you will understand and appreciate.

Sotiris ..... Well ...... It was quite an experience ..... A bad one, mostly.... Ok, maybe the food was let's say ok', and the prices were good, BUT ...a greek' restaurant with arabic decorations that the owner (or the manager, I wouldn't know for sure)...treats a GREEK customer (that goes for the first time and very excited) like a nobody ... well ... for sure I wouldn't go back .... I haven't experienced so rude behavior EVER. And even though I called from the hotel to do a reservation and told me it wasn't needed, I got there and they told me they were full booked. I waited (even though I should have left) and I sat with other people I didn't know, after being asked -in greek- so,what do you want !!! They told me they'll change my seat later but didn't. Awful smell and treatment. Talk about greek hospitaliy' ... oh well ... I'm guessing the participation (and publicity) from Adam Bousdoukos (Soul Kitchen movie) didn't help much, or if it did (as in my case) it won't help in the future. They need to learn some manners !!!!!

Full disclosure: Sotiris is my favorite place to eat. I have been going there about once every or months for at least or years. My last visit was in April I am well acquainted with the owner and the head..