After travelling from Adelaide to Darwin on The Ghan, a few days were spent visiting the city. It was my first time in the Northern Territory and even though it was May, the temperature was too warm for someone who prefers cold weather.
While there I wanted to eat Greek food. The last time I’d eaten Greek food in Canberra I was very disappointed at the quality of the meal but then realised it was a chain restaurant. The food was indifferent to bad, but this is not a review of that sad meal.
Even though it was Monday, the restaurant was fully booked. We were the first to arrive and were quickly seated. The staff were very pleasant, the decor relaxing and the atmosphere, pleasant.
On looking at the menu I was very pleased at the variety of food available.
In consultation with Harper, we decided not to order the trio of dips (as past experience indicates these can be very filling). Instead we chose Fasolokia (Green beans with potato) $13.00, Horiatiki (salad containing tomato, cucumber etc.) $18.00, Haloumi (fried cheese) $14.00, Garides Skaras (Char grilled Prawns for Harper) $28.00, Keftedakia (Meatballs) $17.00, dessert Ekmek Kataifi (Pastry with custard) $9.00 and a bottle of Malamtina Retsina $16.00.
(Retsina is an acquired taste but both Harper and I enjoy the flavour.)
Due to the heat, my appetite was unreliable. The Fasolokia was very tasty with the rich tomato sauce and the accompanying efeftazimo (chick pea bread) was flavoured with a slight touch of aniseed which complimented the small meze. (It really wasn’t that small.) Harper always enjoyed this meze when in Greece and was not disappointed in the size or flavour.
I tasted the colourful and enticing Horitatiki salad, steering clear of the cucumber, but was assured it was everything a salad should be. The small taste I had was fresh and palate cleansing.
Haloumi is one of my particular favourites, even more than fried Camembert, and this one matched my best memories of the times I have eaten and enjoyed it. For this particular menu item, my appetite returned and I ate half, reluctantly permitting Harper the other half. Harper enjoyed it also, taking particular pleasure in squeezing the wedge of lemon over the cheese to add the delicious tang that provides another level of flavour.
If you have read this blog previously you may already know I do not eat seafood, fish or even seaweed, (but I do eat sea salt). I watched as Harper peeled the Garides Skaras (prawns) who expressed delight that we were near the sea and the prawns tasted very fresh but realised that the other dishes were more appetising. Nevertheless they were quickly consumed and Harper returned to grazing on the rest of the food.
The Keftedakia contained pork which is another on the list of things I do not eat, but after much persuasion I tried a small bit of one. The meatballs were tasty and Harper enjoyed them very much mixing them with the Fasolokia and salad.
Trying a different retsina is always an enticing experience. Tasting the Malamtina, which accompanied the meal, was different to the ones we had enjoyed until now. The resin flavouring was not as present and had a light taste that complimented the food. We have since become converts to this wine, which still enjoying other retsina’s.
Finally the dessert. The pastry was a good base for the lovely custard that has the right consistency, flavour, richness. The cream, almonds and pistachios added a lovely decadence to the experience but, alas, it defeated me and Harper was forced (with little, to no, persuasion) to finish the dessert. Delight was expressed at the complexity of textures and tastes in the Ekmek Kataifi.
While there we spoke to a young couple who had ordered a Mix Meat grill. The amount of food was astonishing and they expressed their enjoyment of the food but also expressed sadness that they did not think they could finish it.
We paid and thanked the staff for such an enjoyable meal.
Blog Ruling
While I do not wish to move to Darwin (because of the heat) I am sad that it is unlikely I will eat in this restaurant again. Quality food, wonderful ambience and great staff.
Overall Score: 4.9
Clean the Plate 