The dining area is dominated by the open kitchen
and this ironbark powered grill.
There's a courtyard out the back - I especially like the touch of the used olive oil tins being used a.s plant pots, reminds me so much of what I'd see growing up in Richmond
Oil and Vinegar as well as salt are set on all the tables and once you've ordered, your bread and cutlery comes.
We start with the meze platter for two - the components you get do vary but the quantity and quality doesn't.
mixed olives, pickled vegetables, white cod taramosalata, coriander salad - we especially loved that white cod tarama - yes taramosalata is not pink!
dolmades and lamb ham - the lamb ham has a particularly interesting mouth feel
We also order
saganaki with peppered figs - this was deliriously good and by the constant stream of these coming out of the kitchen, they are extremely popular for very good reason.
To drink, we did ask for advice on a Greek wine to go with our dishes since we have no idea when it comes to Greek Wine and based on the recommendations we ordered the 2003 Raspani Reserve - a very smooth and easy to drink red.
For mains:
Moussaka - this is George's yia yia's recipe - underneath that molten crust is a mix of eggplant and potato slices coupled with a meat based ragu.
Lamb souvlaki - somewhat larger than the teaser from Taste of Melbourne but just as good. The fluffy pita sees a little time on the grill to warm and crisp its edges, it's then filled with a mustard based sauce, copious slices of lamb, a little onion and herb salad and finally fries.
It was probably neck and neck in the popularity stakes between this and the saganaki while we were there but the funniest and groan-worthy occurrence was when one souvlaki was returned to the kitchen - the table wanted it cut into 5, so they could share it! Good grief, when it arrived on their table they ate the slices with knives and forks!
With our mains we also order the Village Salad - a mix of cucumber, tomato, olive, onion and feta. Lovely and fresh and very cleansing.
To finish, we made sure we left room for these
Loukoumades - greek donuts, hand made and cooked to order, come tossed through honey and walnuts.
The details:
Hellenic Republic
434 Lygon Street
Brunswick
Phone: 9381 1222
Open:
Dinner - Tuesday to Sunday
Lunch - Friday to Sunday
Breakfast - Saturday - Sunday
I'm looking forward to going there soon. Thanks for the review and tantalising photos.
ReplyDeleteim calling to make my booking NOW
ReplyDeleteHi - I'm trying to work out how they made the peppered figs for the saganaki. I had it at HR & also at The Press Club with halloumi.
ReplyDeleteAny help? I told my Aunt and she really wants to make them.
Lovley website. Great photos. Positive attitude.
Thanks.
You can find the recipe on my other site - just follow the link here
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteFound recipe.
Yor commitment is awesome.
Regards,
Panagiota
Thanks for the review...I have been to the Press Club and loved it!! Definitely going to try this one out...
ReplyDeleteSheetal
We booked for 20, only 18 could make it, they insisted on charging us for the two that were unable to attend. This is on top of the $1600 for the rest of us. Arrogance knows no bounds...
ReplyDeleteyou should have called to cancel anon, they have a waiting list and 2 others could have gone in your place. your arrogance knows no bounds, its a business not a charity
ReplyDeleteyou should have called to cancel anon, they have a waiting list and 2 others could have gone in your place. your arrogance knows no bounds, its a business not a charity
ReplyDelete