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MELBOURNE | When Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment wanted to come up with an event to celebrate the DVD release of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, they got in contact with George Calombrais, who organised a feast for selected media and guests at The Press Club. Relaunched in 2013 as a more intimate version of the of the original Press Club, this higher end venue of George Calombaris’ restaurant empire provides food that’s more experimental than the reliable, more traditional Greek food we’ve come to love at Gazi, Hellenic Republic and Jimmy Grants.
The City Lane was invited along to the event and were keen to finally try The Press Club, having never actually visited before despite being to Calmobrais’ other restaurants multiple times. To being with, Calombaris came out to talk about his food and his family, linking key themes of the movie to his own upbringing and life experiences. The Press Club is where he gets to put all of these influences, plus his own creativity into the food he produces. After the talking of course came the food, which thankfully lived up to expectations – Greek through and through but also thoroughly modern and creative… and a little bit Aussie.
The scene was set when the loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) were served with Calombaris’ famous taramasalata instead of walnuts and honey – a savoury twist for a starter with what’s traditionally a sweet dessert. Next up were tsoureki – pillowy Greek Easter buns, filled with bacon rather than topped with the usual sultanas and sesame seeds – again an inventive twist on a classic (you can find our recipe for traditional Macedonian/Greek Easter bread here). Following this was a ham hock terrine with pork scratching, and then a supremely tender chicken, served with fasolakia (Greek green beans) and a lemon and Greek yoghurt sauce. Simple, different, delicious.
For dessert, guests were offered one of the most creative dishes of the day. The rizogalo served up here was not your typical rice pudding. It was pink, with rhubarb and subtle hints of liquorice and tasted fantastic. As a light hearted finale, we were served petit fours on a mini Hills Hoist clothesline, with Calombaris coming out to torch the marshmallows on the table. In addition to the citrusy marshmallows were deep fried quinoa dark chocolate shards and jellies. To wash it all down, it had to be Greek coffee. I even versed Rob from Melbourne Food Blogger in the art of reading one’s fortune from the thick settled remnants of the coffee, although I must admit that my fortune telling abilities draw more from my Grandfather’s light hearted technique rather than anything serious!)
It was great to finally try the Press Club, and see the realisation of Calmobaris’ more experimental ideas. Definitely one I’ll be returning to as a paying customer down the track.
The Press Club
72 Flinders Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9677 9677
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thepressclub.com.au/
Open
Mon – Sat: 12:00pm to 3:00pm; 6:00pm to 10:30pm