MOUSSAKA, mezze and the odd stuffed vine leaf. For many Greek restaurants, that’s pretty much it. All fine enough, but nothing to really get the juices flowing. The Stolen Lamb is quite another proposition. For one thing it’s Cypriot, and proud of its heritage.
Having your own entire lamb carved for you and your party in a private dining room is certainly an experience to remember
It’s a family business and reading the menu is like looking at a treasure trove of recipes, handed down from one generation of Hadjiyiannis to the next.
There are big robust flavours and taste combinations that have been carefully honed and refined.
Every word on the menu seems designed to get tummies rumbling and tastebuds quivering in anticipation.
The rabbit stifado with wild boar, braised leeks, green beans and cracked bulgur wheat is like a richer, more flavoursome take on the classic stew and the black snapper with clam sauce, caramelised fennel and crushed potatoes is made with top-notch ingredients including Kazani saffron.
I’m salivating just writing about it.
But despite the undeniable pleasures of the a la carte, The Stolen Lamb is fast becoming renowned for its signature dish, Stolen Lamb, after which the restaurant was named. With a whole lamb to enjoy, it really is a bandit’s banquet.
The bandits in question were infamous for their sheep-stealing shenanigans in the mountains of Cyprus. They would pick off the juiciest lambs around and then cook them underground in a charcoal pit so as not to let the smoke or the smell alert anyone to their stolen supper.
The Stolen Lamb don’t steal their lambs and, because of likely objections from the shop below, they haven’t been able to dig out their own charcoal pit. However, they’ve brought over their Uncle Theo to build a wood fired clay oven which has the same effect. That effect is the juiciest, most succulent lamb you will have tasted in a long time.
Having your own entire lamb carved for you and your party in a private dining room is certainly an experience to remember. So why not gather around a dozen of your nearest and dearest and book a Bandit’s Banquet at The Stolen Lamb. With seasonal appetisers and sweet treats to round it off as well, there’s just one thing – make sure you’re hungry.
To find out more and book your visit The Stolen Lamb’s page
