Lunch @ Hellenic Republic

There's been some changes to the menu since our previous visit but that hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of the punters - the place is packed but we've managed to grab a seat on the communal table.



To drink, we opt for the more casual approach, a half kilo of red - served in these tin jugs. It's the perfect tipple for this odd collection of dishes.


Cured Meat Platter - pork, beef and lamb - syrian pork loin, bastourma and lamb ham




The famous souvlaki - it's actually not on the menu but it can still be ordered.



This one is filled with roasted chicken rather than the more usual lamb - it is still just as delicious.



Spanakopita - spinach and feta pie



Giant beans cooked in a rich tomato based sauce and at the rear, Village Salad

There's one thing you notice when you sit in a shared table and that is people's little habits. One rather odd thing kept happening over and over again. As I've mentioned previously the tables are set with oil and vinegar in which you use to dress your salad. What we found rather peculiar is that this lovely olive oil (and the vinegar) is being used to dunk peoples bread in. That is not what it is there for - so leave your bread bare and just stick to soaking up all those lovely juices in the dishes you've ordered.

Desserts:



Semolina Tarts - an ultra generous serve of 3 and



impossible to resist, loukoumades - these were even better than the last time we had them.

If you manage to snag a booking, just remember - the oil is for the food not the bread.

The details:

Hellenic Republic
434 Lygon Street
Brunswick

Phone: 9381 1222

Open:
Dinner - Tuesday to Sunday
Lunch - Friday to Sunday
Breakfast - Saturday - Sunday

Lunch @ Hellenic Republic

Our first official dining out experience for 2009 is at Hellenic Republic, George Calombaris' month-old Greek Taverna in Brunswick.



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