I've never been to Greece but I do live in a part of London that is really Little Athens, or maybe Little Nicosia, so the local Greek restaurants tend to be plentiful and of a pretty high standard. But at no time have I witnessed any plate smashing. I don't know if it's just me, but I'm sure that Greek restaurants were once famous for this. I've never seen it. Furthermore I've never met anyone who's seen it either. I once asked a waiter about it and he looked at me oddly, so I let it drop. Not my plate, the subject. So I'm none the wiser. But I would like to see it one day before I'm old. Needless to say there was no plate smashing in the Aphrodite. This restaurant is not in Little Nicosia but over near Westbourne Grove. It looks like a proper Greek taverna ought to, as far as I know, and has some seating out on the pavement. It is small to average in size and has wooden tables and nice rustic tablecloths. To fit the name there are two big pictures of Aphrodite, one of which is a reproduction of the Botticelli one.

I had potato salad (£4) to start and then sheftalia (pork with onions and herbs, £9.50) with rice, both of which were as good if not better than you get in Little Nicosia. She had Kalamari (£12.80) which she always has, given the slightest chance, this making her an exacting kalamari critic. She said it was very good. That is praise indeed. We had house wine (£12) which was quite acceptable. The authentic atmosphere was added to by a proprietorial lady keeping an eye on things and a large man in an apron who would occasionally wander out of the kitchen and chat to the customers much as they do in Little Nicosia and probably Greece as well. Service was top banana. Prices are the expensive end of average, fish and steaks being particularly pricey. I'd go again.