AT EVERY MEAL YOU’LL BE EATING AND DRINKING AMONGST FRIENDS

Food in Crete has always been a family affair – something to be enjoyed with friends old and new. It’s a totally social event where everybody is welcome and there is always a seat at the table. You may be holidaying as a single person, but at every meal you’ll find you’re eating and drinking amongst friends.

AT THE MISTRAL SINGLES NEVER EAT ALONE

For many guests dinner is one of the highlights of their stay. We specialise in traditional Cretan home cooking with all guests eating at the same time to enjoy a truly delicious Mediterranean experience. Seated at long tables, the meals showcase the best of the island’s cuisine, with many ingredients sourced from our hotel garden and prepared using extra virgin olive oil exclusively from our family groves.

SAVOUR THE FLAVOURS OF WESTERN CRETE

Evening menus include dishes that are very specific to Western Crete (boureki of Chania, kalitsounia, marathopites) as well as famous Greek specialities (moussaka, dolmades, tzatziki, taramasalata, grilled meats, fresh fish, courgette fritters, stuffed eggplants, spanakopita, gemista) prepared with fresh, in-season vegetables and locally sourced meats and cheese. Specific dietary requirements are catered for.

Complimentary red and white wine is served in carafes and included with the evening meal. A selection of coffees and teas are available at the end of dinner.

BREAKING FAST WITH NEW FRIENDS

Every day at the Mistral makes new memories, and every breakfast starts with new friends in relaxed fashion as the first meal of the day is a continental style buffet. Expect a health selection of seasonal fruits, cereals, eggs, fresh bread, local thyme honey, freshly squeezed orange juice and local fresh Greek yoghurt. Local cheese (Cretan gruyere and feta goat cheese) and freshly baked pastries, as well as home-made bergamot jam and orange marmalade, will give you a taste of how we Cretans traditionally break fast. On alternate weekdays omelettes, fried eggs with bacon, or French toast are available.

*If you want to learn more about Cretan cuisine join our Flavours of Crete Week.

CRETAN CUISINE – EATING FOR A HEALTHIER, LONGER-LIVED, LIFE

As people increasingly strive towards a healthier way of life and are more discerning about what they eat, the Cretan diet is widely-recognised as one of the healthiest in the world.

Health and nutrition scientists have long since set the standards for the Mediterranean Diet based on the Cretan Dietary Pattern. This refers to the consumption of specific foods, and eating habits and cooking traditions which are the essence of a particular lifestyle, coupled with physical activity.

WHAT MAKES CRETAN FOOD SO GOOD?

Quite simply it’s so good because it’s homemade. It’s how Cretan people eat every day, the vast majority of the produce sourced from the land and the sea around us. The combination and mix of landscapes, from the arid south to the fertile north of the island, and the minerality of the soils, enhance the flavours.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO MISTRAL?

Many guests tell us that one of the highlights of the Mistral experience is the homemade food. We believe in the principles and are members of the Slow Food Movement Our philosophy has two main components: we stick to traditional dishes as much as possible; and use as many fresh vegetables and foods as we can.

Our vegetable garden provides a significant number of our ingredients such as tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, greens, dill, mint, eggs, lettuce. Goat cheese, honey and bread is sourced from local farmers.

*See our lunch, à-la-carte menu here.