We arrived on the Greek island of Corfu at 8:00 AM aboard the Seabourn Encore, a stunning cruise ship. Our journey was part of a memorable voyage from Venice to Athens, shared with a lively group of seventeen family members and friends.

After a day spent wandering the charming streets of Corfu’s Old Town—rich with history, narrow alleys, and Venetian architecture we returned to the ship for Happy Hour. Spirits were high as we prepared for a special evening.

At 7:00 PM, we boarded a reserved minibus for a scenic 20-minute drive north to Etrusco, a renowned restaurant that we had booked six months in advance. It was a stroke of luck that we secured a reservation for all seventeen of us—and even luckier that this was the only night on our cruise when the ship departed late.

Etrusco is open only during the summer months and, in 2024, was named the best restaurant in Greece for the eleventh consecutive year.

Their website paints a poetic picture of the setting:

“Our landscape stretches out on this fertile slope of Corfu where Etrusco has been based for 31 years. Elements of the landscape: the Corfiot terracotta, the flowers and herbs that emerge from the flower beds and flavor our food, the olive trees that fill the horizon to reach the Ionian Sea, the old mulberry tree that bends over us, as if trying to embrace us.”

We were seated on a terrace draped in vibrant bougainvillea, overlooking the iconic mulberry tree, the rolling hills, and the shimmering Ionian Sea. The evening sky was a brilliant blue—perfect for dining al fresco.

Dinner began with an amuse-bouche: a delicate green foam shaped like an olive. It melted on the tongue, bursting with pure olive flavor—a whimsical and delicious preview of the culinary artistry to come. I chose a classic Greek salad and the Cod Bianco for my entrée. Both dishes were exceptional, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor.

Time slipped away as we savored each bite and shared laughter around the table. By the time we considered dessert, it was already past 10:00 PM—and our ship was scheduled to depart at 11:00. We had to skip dessert and dash back to the Encore, arriving with just five minutes to spare. We were the last to board—but we made it!

It was an unforgettable evening at an extraordinary restaurant. Though I can’t recall the cost, I’ll never forget the experience, the setting, and the exquisite food.