If surrealist painter Salvador Dali walked in the new café lounge perched atop of Anopoli Road, he probably would have twisted his wild mustache, and say: "This is my kind of place."

Because, just like the eccentric artist, the Dali Café is the epitome of the word surrealist, which means to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter.

Dali Café is the brainchild of Syllas Psarrakis, owner, and his designer, Angeliki Fragaki, who put their heads together to come up with a totally new concept for providing a leisure time environment.

Prior to being completely renovated into the Dali café, with an adjoining art gallery, the location was well known for 15 years as the Arhontiko Taverna, with Syllas as the owner-chef.

"When first I opened the taverna I said that this type of work has an expiration date for me," Syllas explained.  "Actually, it was good work but then after a while it just wasn't for me anymore. I needed a change…to get into something that would be an outlet for my inner self."

With his experience as a bartender "in a previous life," Syllas wanted to get back in the business, but not with an ordinary bar or cafeteria.

"I discussed my ideas with Angeliki, who was a good friend of several years, and a noted designer, and the concept for Dali was born," Syllas said. "We put in more artistic highlights, gave equal emphasis to both the inside and outside space. It's fresh and original and totally different than anything you find in Iraklion. Someone coming to Dali will relax. It's the colours, and the view, that calm you down. And of course the lights. The whole ensemble, highlighted, of course, by excellent reproductions of famous murals and paintings by Salvador Dali, contributes to making it a space for expression."

Angeliki says that although the project itself was very hard work, the inspiration, originally came from the sea, then other ideas easily surfaced.

"Syllas and I kept adding pieces to the puzzle until it was almost complete," she said. "There are still some spaces left and they will come along in time."

Syllas added that he likes spontaneity.

"I would like to see one day some one get up and recite a poem," he explained. "And, I'm all prepared; I have microphones, music and the perfect space for impromptu expressions. And, the adjoining room is now a spacious hall to be used as an art gallery."

Angeliki's contribution to Dali went beyond her work as an interior designer. She is also a noted musical producer who had a show on Star FM for many years.

"For years I had a special space in mind for presenting music experiences, and Syllas made that possible," she said. "I expect the artsy nature of this space to evolve beyond a drink or a coffee. Some theatrical productions…some music productions…but that's really down the road." 

Syllas agreed, saying that Dali will house many different surprise-events in the future.

"But not every week," he emphasized. "I don't want to be established as a weekly events space. For now we are a good place to be and things will evolve naturally.. Dali features music on Fridays and Saturdays with Eva, who plays a combination of Greek and foreign selections. Thinking ahead to the spring and summer, Syllas said the outside space will have grouped sitting structures focusing on "our extraordinary view."

And, if you concentrate hard enough, you just may see a wild-eyed man with a crazy mustache enjoying that view, too!