Astoria Bar Ke Grill

THE VERDICT

What's there not to like about Greek food? Especially when it's as good as it gets at Astoria Bar Ke Grill. Taking over the former Shadowboxer spot on Toorak Road, it's as if Astoria has always been there. The space was built for it, beautifully terraced right onto the street front like you're in Athens.

Headed up by Nik Pouloupatis, who has a 35-year tenure in the industry (and 17 of those as a chef), it’s evident the restaurant is both an homage to Pouloupatis’s motherland and a labour of love. Your usual suspects such as spanakopita manifest in tiny little puff triangles, made with perfectly delicate filo pastry, the taramasalata is righteously tangy with a good measure of mouthfeel and complemented by the crunchy and dark flatbread.

As Pouloupatis says, Greek food is meant for sharing and the hefty lamb shoulder (because what Greek menu would be complete without one), the snapper and the vegetarian moussaka are no exception. The desserts come courtesy of Pouloupatis’s childhood, with a dense and toothsome orange cake, topped with pistachio ice cream—his mother’s recipe of course—and a spiced rice pudding make the perfect cap to your meal.

The cocktails are classics with a Greek twist, think ouzo mojitos and mastiha sours; earthy and satisfying they're the perfect start to your meal. The wine list has a who’s who of drinkable local labels, but most importantly features some excellent (and must order) drops from Greece that pair perfectly with the food.

“After years in the hospitality industry, I know that my passion for food and community is inseparable,” Pouloupatis says, “I still have my parents around to draw inspiration from, allowing me to learn and cherish the old dishes, techniques, and traditions that have been passed down which, in turn, fuels my desire to share those comforting flavours with a new generation.”

Book your table here.

Images: Astoria Bar Ke Grill | Kit Edwards

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