HIEP-Hoang NGUYEN
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Review: Soil Restaurant, Athens – A Michelin-Star Experience with Mixed Service
I recently dined at Soil, a one-Michelin-star restaurant in Athens, and it was a memorable experience—though not without its contradictions.
To start with the highlights: the food was truly outstanding—creative, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I chose the 14-course tasting menu along with two cocktails, and every dish was a pleasure. The menu felt thoughtful and refined, offering a genuinely impressive culinary journey.
The space itself is intimate, elegant, and relaxed, with a warm, cozy ambiance perfect for a fine dining experience. Even though I came alone, I was well attended to by 2–3 staff members throughout the evening, and most of the team was both professional and detail-oriented.
A special mention goes to the female server with short hair and piercings—she was warm, attentive, and highly engaged. She explained each dish with care, answered questions with enthusiasm, and made the experience feel personal and welcoming.
That said, the service wasn’t consistent across the board. One tall, bearded male staff member stood out for the wrong reasons. While he offered engaging and detailed explanations to other tables, with me he merely listed the ingredients with little effort to connect. His cold and distant demeanor detracted from the overall hospitality and made the interaction feel awkward and impersonal.
Another drawback was the pacing of the meal—the dishes arrived far too quickly and continuously, without allowing time to pause, breathe, or fully savor each course. It felt rushed rather than well-paced.
One more thing to note: there were quite a lot of mosquitoes in the dining area, which was distracting and uncomfortable at times—especially for such a high-end environment.
Finally, when I thanked the staff on my way out, no one acknowledged it—a small gesture that was surprisingly absent, leaving the evening on a flat note.
In summary, Soil impresses with its cuisine and aesthetic, but the overall hospitality felt uneven. Some staff were exceptional, while others lacked warmth and attentiveness. A remarkable culinary experience, but one that could be greatly improved with more consistent service and attention to guest comfort.