Hellenic Republic Review

Heading down to Melbourne from Sydney for the weekend we were keen to find a good restaurant for a meal out. I like to head towards the specialty of a city, and Melbourne to me is the home of Greek food, and after too many episodes of MasterChef… George Calombaris. While the Press Club would have been a fantastic experience we were after something a little more relaxed, and to be honest, a little easier on the budget. So I stumbled across Hellenic Republic, George’s Melbourne version of a Greek taverna. Headed up by Travis McAuley, Hellenic Republic aims to provide traditional food with delicious fresh produce in a modern taverna setting. It doesn’t often happen for me, but this wasn’t really a meal, it was an experience. A memorable, delicious, fun experience.



Maybe it’s the change from Sydney to Melbourne, maybe it’s Hellenic Republic, but the service was first class from the moment we stepped through the big wooden front doors. Friendly, professional and fun the team, especially Emmie who looked after us for the afternoon, really set the tone and helped us pick the food and drinks for our lunch. I was prepared to be led by their expertise on food and drinks and wasn’t disappointed. As first time newbies, Emmie recommended we take the Trapezi menu – a four course meal made up of the best of their best – that sounded perfect. That and the Ouzo starter at 12pm – hey, I say when in Greece you should live like the Greeks!!!!

We were well rewarded for our faith in the staff and the menu. Our starter of calamari salad, dolmades and the calorific (but well worth it) tyri saganaki - Kefalograviera (a Greek cheese like haloumi) with peppered figs were divine. The perfect balance of flavours, textures and light and heavy foods.



The fish course, included the famous Cypriot salad – an incredible mix of grains and herbs so popular that when I commented on how delicious it was, Emmie provided a photocopied version of the recipe!!

The meat course, of 12 hour slow roasted lamb and spit roasted chicken with a salad and home made fries was, in my partner’s words, “man pleasing” -voluminous, tender and tasty.

Fortunately, we had a break between this and the final course – dessert - allowing my stomach just enough time to find space to squeeze in two loukoumathes – deliciously light Greek donuts with attiki honey, and walnuts.

The staff quote George as saying that Hellenic Republic is about “food for the table”, where you share a meal of beautiful food cooked skillfully and lovingly. And this is exactly what it felt like to me – the whole experience was like a giant embrace from a big Greek grandma - warm, familiar and full of love. I loved every minute of my experience in Hellenic Republic and would, without hesitation, recommend you visit.

Hellenic Republic
434 LYGON STREET
BRUNSWICK EAST
VICTORIA
3057