MELBOURNE | Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar in Yarraville has all of the trademarks of a beloved local’s restaurant that’s been around forever, but it’s actually only been open since 2018. It was opened by sisters Eleftheria and Anatoli Amanatidis to honour their yiayia Eleni’s Pontic Gree roots.
The Amanatidis family has strong ties to this neighbourhood. Eleftheria and Anatoli’s great grandfather, Antonios was the founding priest of Yarraville’s St Nicholas Greek Orthodox church, and the family has owned and operated several businesses in the area. Eleni and her husband Dimitrios even opened Yarraville’s first Greek restaurant back in the day.
It’s no surprise, then, that Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar feels like it’s been here forever. Walk inside the rustic, welcoming venue, and it’s a hive of activity. People from all walks of life are enjoying themselves, and there’s a big showing from local Greek families. Rotisserie meats and things being cooked over charcoal are on display in the open kitchen, and it’s a whole lot of fun. Upstairs, people enjoy the banquet menu, complete with a live band playing Greek music, and plate smashing later on. You might even spot Eleni sitting at the bar.
The menu is based on Eleni’s family recipes. Executive chef Christos Katopodis has faithfully recreated Eleni’s dishes in a restaurant context, and put his own spin on things. It’s traditional, home-style food, that very much hits the spot.
The banquet menu is a great way to try the best that the team have to offer. There’s mixed dips with bread, saganaki, Greek salad, lemon potatoes, some of the best fried calamari in town, and a wonderful platter of chicken and lamb gyros, pork kalamakia, loukaniko, lamb cutlets, and keftethes. Finishing off with baklava and galaktoboureko, it’s a wonderful feed.
To drink, there’s a Greek and Aussie wine and beer list, and cocktails that put a Greek spin on the classics. You’ll also find a tight selection of ouzo and tsipouro, and of course, Greek coffee.
Eleni’s Kitchen + Bar
28 Anderson Street
Yarraville
Victoria 3013
Australia
Telephone: 0467 508 991
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Tue – Sun: 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 10:00pm