George Calombaris to open new Greek restaurant in Melbourne’s bayside
George Calombaris continues his comeback, this time with a two-storey Hellenic House Project that will open in Melbourne suburb Highett in April.
The 120-seat restaurant will feature four different spaces and will serve everything from takeaway to rustic home cooking.
Head chef chef Anthony Thalassinos will serve home-style (or “spitiko”) dishes with a twist, including tarama with salt and vinegar hash browns, wild greens braised in lemon and olive oil, or Greek yoghurt soft serve.
Thalassinos has worked at Grossi Florentino and St John in London. Most recently he had residency at Hotel Sorrento, where Calombaris is culinary director.
The four areas will reflect the idea of the Greek home, with rooms to include the elevated The Good Room, The Backyard and The Kitchen.
The latter rooms will offer more casual fare including souvlaki, salads and beer for dine in or takeaway.
The fourth space is inspired by seaside bars of the Aegean. The balcony room will serve snacks such as dolmathakia (stuffed vine leaves).
Highett has a growing foodie scene and tight knit community feeling which attracted Calombaris. He has likened the bayside strip to Brunswick St.
The Hellenic Project will be the former celebrity chef’s first new restaurant venture since Made Establishment group went into administration in early 2020 after it identifies $7.8 million in staff underpayments.
Irit Jackson, 30th March 2023
