Mediterranean "Athina" Is Back on Patriki.

The summer veranda of restaurant "Athina" by AVA Team has reopened at Patriarch's Ponds. The space puts you in a relaxed mood: a long sofa with colorful cushions, wicker chairs, big clusters of hydrangeas and begonias, the scent of freshness and greenery. Light floods the space, and from dawn to dusk it's equally pleasant to greet the day here or see off the evening.

In summer, "Athina" shifts in both mood and flavor. The menu is built to take guests on a culinary journey — from the Mediterranean to the French coast. Sweet piquillo peppers stuffed with crab meat, for instance, come with a rouille sauce and evoke Spain. Sea bass crudo with Uzbek tomatoes, avocado, and ponzu recalls the seaside restaurants of Italy.

The starters leave room for improvisation. Crispy shrimp under a green pepper and caper sauce pair perfectly with a chilled white wine. Meat tartare seasoned with basturma and truffle aioli sounds unexpected and bold. And spaghetti with shrimp and sea bass, served in a white-wine sauce with bottarga, evokes the shores of Sicily.

The hot dishes are closer to the classics, but with a vacation touch of their own. Filet mignon with green beans, broccoli, zucchini, and a delicate cauliflower cream conjures thoughts of the French Riviera and a lazy lunch in the shade of cypress trees.

The morning menu has changed this year too. The terrace now offers hearty breakfasts: brioche with mortadella, draniki, eggs Benedict with salmon, and — for those who don't mind starting the day boldly — a glass of the signature cocktail. The summer sour "Athina" brings together the aromas of berries, flowers, and tropical fruit, with easily recognizable notes of lilac, passion fruit, and currant.

This season, "Athina" plays at being on vacation. The menu is built to let you tune out of the city for a few hours, pick a destination to taste, and allow yourself a little more than usual.