Restaurants

Doing it Greek Style, George Calombaris' new restaurant - Gazi

A couple weeks back I met a good friend of mine for an end of year dinner.  My friend is one of those up town lawyer types who generally picks the best restaurants in town.  Lucky for me, he also insists on paying...

The venue for our dinner on this occasion, the relatively new George Calombaris establishment "Gazi". This restaurant occupies the old Press Club area on the corner of Flinders Street and Elizabeth Street.

My mate and I are enthusiastic eaters to say the least, so the only option worth our consideration was the "Doing it Greek Style" menu. This munu is a 10 dish sharing menu and includes your choice of souvlakakia (souvlaki, for those who asking what the?).  I should add the souvlakakia comes in a number of amazing varieties including soft shell crab (my choice on this occasion), duck, and the standard fare of beef and chicken.  The souvlakakia comes in traditional Hellenic fashion, that's right, the chips are in the homemade pita! Other memorable moments included the chicken with white beans, tyrokafteri and finished off with Loukomathes (delicious Greek style donuts).

Service was solid and fun.  We sat at the bar which gave us a birds eye view of the chefs and spit - beware it can get warm sitting up there. 

Drinks were secondary to the food and we stuck with a solid sparkling wine (I didn't order, so I can't share the name).  I only know it was local and my dinner companion knew the maker. 

Check this one out when you're next in Melbourne.  Unlike most new and trendy Melbourne eateries, this one thankfully takes bookings.

Burger Hunting - The Merrywell Crown

How do you finish off a day at a 5 star luxury day spa?  Burgers and beers of course!

We'll that's what we did yesterday after such a wonderful day at the Crown Spa (see earlier Blog). Last nights the Angus burger at the Merrywell was the perfect finish.  Juicy angus beef patty topped with beef short rib and accompanied with the standard lettuce, cheese and pickle and the not so standard truffle aioli was delicious.

Check it out next time you're around that area.  Remember burgers on a budget downstairs and pub fare with a twist upstairs.