Eleni's Kitchen and Bar

Eleni's Kitchen and Bar in Yarraville reminds me of a big warm hug.  Serving up Greek inspired cuisine, with its warm and welcoming staff, Eleni's offers the type of service that many restaurants could only wish for.

Whilst a trio of dips generally doesn't excite me, Eleni's 4 dips (for $18) - which tasted homemade and were full of flavour - were definitely worth getting excited about.  So much so, we asked for another loaf (that's right, loaf!) of the fresh warm bread to mop up every skerrick of dip on the plate. The best part, no judgment from our waitress when we loaded up on the additional (and completely unecessary) carbs.

For main we shared the moussaka ($26) - whilst it was definitely on the dry side, it may have been because the kitchen didn't expect us to take so long on the dips! The flavours were definitely there and I could see it had potential.

If you're in Yarraville and find yourself craving a delicious meal in a warm and welcoming environment, Eleni's is the place to be.

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4/5
Value for money: 4/5
Total: 16.5/20
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

Greek Me

Greek Me is the sort of place you look forward to going back to even before you’ve finished your main meal. With a Greek inspired menu that's nothing less than drool-worthy, this casual but classy new Middle Park eatery is sure to do well.

The double saganaki is non negotiable (that’s right, I said DOUBLE saganaki). Why have one cheese when you can have two? 

In terms of mains, the lamb shoulder is also pretty hard to go past -  juicy, well seasoned and falling to pieces, it’s exactly what a good chunk of lamb shoulder is meant to be. The accompanying crispy oregano seasoned chips, fresh garden salad, warm fluffy pita bread and zesty tzatziki also didn't disappoint.

With hospitality as warm as what you'd expect from a grandma, you are guaranteed to feel at home from the minute you walk through the doors. This paired with the exceptional food and it’s fantastic value makes Greek Me the new fave. 

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 5/5

Venue: 4.5/5

Value for money: 4.5/5

Total: 18.5/20

Verdict: the new fave - put it as number one on the to do list 

 

Bahari The Hellenic Palate

I used to be under the misconception that really good Greek food was hard to find South Side - after trying Bahari The Hellenic Palate on Swan Street in Richmond, my misconception was quickly corrected.  Serving up a variety of mouthwatering Greek inspired dishes, the venue is casual enough to make it feel homely and welcoming, but still special enough to make it feel like a treat.

With the pita bread coming out slightly crispy and hot, he trio of dips (Tzaziki, Melitzansolata and Taramosalata) with pita bread is a must for your order.

The Saganaki with oregano and lemon is another non-negotiable menu item for your order.  One of the best Saganaki's I've had in Melbourne, it comes out piping hot, whilst being crispy on the outside and oozy on the in.

The chips could have done with more of a crunch, however the 'Pantzarosalata' Beetroot Salad with chard, mint, roasted walnuts, crumbled feta, garlic and yogurt was perfect just the way it was.

The hardest part of your time at Baharai will be picking what to eat from the menu - definitely a place worth visiting more than once.

Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 12/15

Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

Ionio

Looking for the best Saganaki in Melbourne? Well then look no further than Ionio. After the longest run of chewy, rubbery fried cheese, I was starting to think that my idea of a good Saganaki was just a delusion - but then came Ionio, with its deliciously-bitey cheese which was crisp on the outside and oozing on the inside.

Slightly off the beaten track for some, Ionio's is situated in the Westfield shopping centre in Doncaster. Although walking through its doors, you wouldn't think you were situated inside of a shopping centre, with Ionia's having a warm, family-friendly feel.

My number one suggestion would be (well, number two after my suggestion that you have to get the Saganaki) to go on a hungry stomach. The serving sizes are huge and incredible value for money. To eat on this occasion, we were served a 'mini' version of the banquet (although it was hardly small), although the normal size banquet will only set you back $36. As part of our banquet we were served:

Olives

 

Trio of dips and pita

 

Rosemary and fetta chips

 

Saganaki

 

Fried Calamari

 

Spit fired chicken and lamb

 

Grilled haloumi jewelled salad

 

The warm pita, dips and olives were all delicious starters, with the beetroot dip being a clear stand out for me.

Although, as delicious as the dips are, make sure to save room for the main events. Served with even more warm pita, both the chicken and the lamb were incredible tender and juicy, and had a delicious charcoal flavour. The chips were also cooked to perfection  - crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, the sprinkling of fetta and oregano on the top finished the chips off nicely. 

For anyone who says you don't make friends with salad surely hasn't met the grilled haloumi jewelled salad with mixed salad leaves, thyme, grapes and pomegranate. With the tang of its pomegranate, creaminess of haloumi and sweetness of its grapes - this is a ridiculously delicious salad.

The calamari was the only let down of the meal, with some of the peices being quite tough and chewy. But the midly spiced sauce that was served beside it was definitely a highlight.

If you ever find yourself in Doncaster looking for a Greek feast (or any kind of feast in fact) make sure to head to Ionio's.

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Venue: 3.5/5

Total: 11.5/15

Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon.

Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre, Level 2, 619 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Melbourne       

The New Fave dined courtesy of Ionia's
 

Kalamaki

It's fair to say that Melbournites are spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious Greek cuisine - so there were high expectations going into Kalamaki Greek Street Food Café.  Situated at the end Hardware Lane near Lonsdale Street, the café has a casual but yet welcoming vibe, with its benches being lined with baklava and spanakopita, and pictures of Greek scenery adorning the walls. Unfortunately the staff were not as welcoming as the décor - and the food didn't get much better. 

The bread on the chicken souvlaki (with tomato, red onion, lettuce, chips, mustard and mayo) was light and fluffy, however the chicken was chewy (and concerningly pink) and the overall dish was dry. The trio of dips were also disappointing - lacking in flavour, they were barely touched by the three of us.

 

The chips, however, were incredible - soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and beautifully seasoned.

However, with so many other amazing Greek restaurants to choose from in Melbourne, Kalamaki does not rate high on my recommendation list.

Food: 2/5
Décor: 3.5/5
Service: 2/5
Total: 7.5/15
Verdict: Don't bother - not when there are so many other incredible Greek places around.

The Press Club

The Press Club is George Columbaris's premier restaurant and, with capacity for only 30 diners, one of Melbourne's most exclusive.

With the main dining area being cordoned off by a thick blue curtain, the restaurant has an air of exclusivity the minute you walk through the door.  Unfortunately, on this occasion, we were told that we would have to wait half an hour before we were able to sneak a peak behind the curtained wall.  Our booking had been for 8:45pm, but due to our table not being ready, we were only seated at 9:15pm. To the benefit of The Press Club, they did take us down to the kitchen for a quick tour while we waited - an extraordinary event for any foodie.  However, we were one of the lucky parties who were able to wait inside, with many of the other bookings being turned away to wait outside in the cold whilst there tables were being re-set.  It also would have been a nice touch if the drink we were offered for our half an hour wait was complimentary!

The food and wine was absolutely impeccable.  However, after opting for the five courses with matching wines ($215) it would have been nice to come out feeling a touch fuller!

The night started off with a cleverly presented nibble - home made chips on a mini clothes line contraption.

The menu was substantially comprised of seafood, being served prawn saganaki with grilled watermelon, calamari with poached egg and Hellenic XO sauce and one of the most beautiful pieces of salmon I have ever had -  having the consistency of butter, it was my favourite dish of the night.

The only red meat of the night was a small piece of beef hidden under a quaint array of carrots - delicate but mouth-wateringly delicious.

The palate cleanser was a clever take on the much beloved "Super Dooper" and the desert itself (rice pudding with fresh fruit and sorbet) was a light but refreshing way to end the meal for the night.

The venue itself is reminiscent of a 1980s Greek Cruise ship.  Rather than rows of formal white table-clothed tables, the venue is made up of cosy booths situated underneath retro light features, creating a homely but extravagant vibe.  The staff are also an attribute to the restaurant - clearly having a comprehensive grasp on The Press Club's food and wine menu, they all still had smiles on their faces well after 12:00am.

Whilst not "the new fave", with such exceptional cuisine, I look forward to coming back to The Press Club to try a different (and hopefully more filling) menu.

Décor: 4.5/5
Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13.5/15
Verdict: Love - rush out and try it soon