As moms we tend to put the needs of our family before ourselves … but even moms need a break, from cooking, cleaning dishes, getting up from the table to get someone another glass of milk. Now in its impressive 10th year, Winterlicious offers moms the perfect reprieve: a chance to leave the kids in daddy’s care and head out for a night of great food, a few drinks and lots of laughs. That’s exactly what we did last Friday with a few of our local mom pals at Estiatorio Volos.
I loved the warm feel of Volos with its wood floors and candlelit glow. We kicked the evening off with a toast of wine and cocktails. As part of Winterlicious, Volos had created a signature cocktail with blueberries, fresh-squeezed Valencia orange juice and Skinos Greek liqueur. It looked as good as it tasted. For the designated drivers, there was also a non-alcoholic cocktail that received raved reviews from some of our moms.
The appetizer and main dish choices offers a great selection whether you preferred meat or not. Eating in a Greek restaurant, I had to try the Dolmades and was happy I did. Speaking with the owner, Andreas, the Winterlicious menu was designed to give guests a taste of some of the restaurant’s best dishes. The prix fixe menu offered during Winterlicious means guests can venture out to experience some of the city’s best restaurants, like Estiatorio Volos, without the high cost. This means you can enjoy a delicious, three-course menu at appetizing prices, like $15, $20 and $25 for lunch and $25, $35, and $45 for dinner.
We were pleasantly surprised at the size of our meal portions. You would expect that with this type of menu, guests would be offered sample-sized meals. But the food offered to us was plentiful; I’m not sure if anyone at our table finished their whole meal that night. Empty plates or not, we all has room for dessert. Almost everyone at our table enjoyed the Mini Baklava with ice cream. (And most of us were able to pronounce it.) I could have enjoyed another plate of those, full stomach or not.
I have to suggest, although it’s not part of the Winterlicous menu, that you order the Saganaki (as suggested by Maria, our own Greek momma). The show alone, with the cheese aflame, is worth it.
The food at Volos was delicious and plentiful, the service was warm and attentive, but the best part of the evening was the company. It was nice to sit and actually talk with friends, and not about our kids. It’s time for moms to put themselves to the Front of the Line and enjoy a night out with a best friend or a group of them. The prix fixe menu means you don’t need to worry about over-spending and with 175 restaurants participating in Winterlicous, you’re bound to find something that appeals to everyone. This was my first time experiencing Winterlicous but it certainly won’t be my last.
Dinner Guest: Maria (@BOREDMommy), Carrie Anne (@EverythingMom), Sara (@InfoSara), (@ParentClub), Tamara (@WonderMoms_ca), and Christy (@IMFreckles).
Winterlicious, presented by American Express Canada, runs until Feb. 9, 2012 so you still have time to enjoy a mom’s night off. Be sure to visit DineWithAmex.ca to see what others are saying about their Winterlicious experience.
This post has been sponsored by American Express Canada in support of Winterlicous.