June 19, 2008
Florida Today.Com
By Maria Sonnenberg

Taste: Eating, drinking and entertaining

  Opa! He took them dining on a cruise ship, at the Seasons 52 test kitchen in Orlando and at a “hunting lodge” in Vero Beach.
But for his swan song as baili, or president, of the local chapter of La Chaine des Rotisseurs, Alex Litras took La Chaine members to paradise, aka Greece.
After catching a glimpse of the whole lamb on a spit, the Greek dancers, bouzouki band and costumed servers, passers-by ambling past Café Margaux two Sundays ago probably wondered if the Cocoa Village restaurant had switched from award-winning French cuisine to Greek specialties.
And for a nigh it did, as owner Litras treated La Chaine members to a very special party.
“This was a way of giving back to La Chaine,” said Litras.  “I wanted them to see how much fun La Chaine can be.”
For his “My Big Fat Greek La Chaine” event, Litras spent weeks in preparation of the food, wine, entertainment, which included talents of Olympic Spirit Greek Dancers.
When it came to organizing the event, Litras had the genetic advantage.
“I grew up in the Mediterranean culture,” said Litras.  “My father was born in Greece.”
The La Chaine meal brought back many memories for Litras, who grew up summering in the Catskills, where all the neighbors were of Greek descent.
The Greek feast, which featured a menu that included swordfish Exohiko, prime tenderloin souvlaki and spit-roasted garlic studded lamb, was the last of 16 dining events Litras oraganized during his three-year stint with the Space Coast chapter of La Chaine, one of the most prestigious food and wine groups in the world.
For their efforts for the group during the past three years, La Chaine honored Litras and his wife Pam with La Chaine’s Silver Star, the organization’s highest honor.