Founded in 315 B.C.E. by King Cassander of Macedon, he wisely named the city after his wife, Thessalonike, sister to Alexander the Great. Thessaloniki, as a major port city with nearly 2,500 years of history has been at the crossroads of empires starting with Alexander the Great, followed by Rome, Byzantium and the Ottomans.
For a city bulging with a young educated population – 15% are university students.
Thessaloniki is always pregnant with culture
Located at the intersection of the fabled spice route between Asia and Europe has had a profound effect on both the culture and cuisine of Thessaloniki. And its young population has made it a city of cafes.
Oval café creates friendships in Thessaloniki
Fava beans with squid and raisins is a favorite among Oval cafe patrons and reflects a reality that the ingredients for Greek cuisine remain easily sourced from their home provinces. Follow my step-by-step recipe with photos and recreate this delicious dish.
Fava with squid and raisins
You can read all my articles on Examiner.com at:
Philadelphia Fine Dining Examiner
and
Travel with Pen and Palate 
So wish I’d visited Thessaloniki all those years ago when we toured Greece. 🙂
You still should. Greece is actively promoting the country as a year round destination and Thessaloniki is a festival city from November through May. I’ll be returning late Spring 2014.