Meltemi Mediterrania has opened on the Gold Coast, uniting flavours of the Mediterranean coastline under one roof.
The venue is the latest venture from Dino and Kate Georgakopoulos, who own Xenia Grill Greek restaurants at Main Beach and Coolangatta.
Meltemi Mediterrania expands beyond its sister venues, shining a light on the customs and dishes from regions like Spain, Morocco, Sardinia, Lebanon, and Turkey. It is also incorporating family recipes from the Greek island of Kastellorizo.
Leading the kitchen is hatted chef Tapos Singha (ex-Miss Moneypenny’s, est, Gowings Bar & Grill), who has created a menu headlined by a rotisserie section.
Each dish, including New England lamb leg skewers and Queensland lobster, is slow-turned on individual prongs on the traditional Cypriot grill.
Dino Georgakopoulos, who was an engineer before he retrained as a chef to pursue his passion for hospitality, says rotisseries and celebrations go hand-in-hand in Greek and other Mediterranean cultures.
“They play such a special role and we want to expand people’s minds – and taste buds – to show how many variations there are,” he says.
Each section of the menu, from the crudo to the breads, dips and cheeses, mezze, contemporary and traditional, includes a dish from a different country. Popular favourites like saganaki cheese and hummus sit alongside regional plates like the Sardinian coral trout crudo on a bed of dry ice, Spanish octopus skewers, and whole yellow belly flounder filled with blistered tomato, capers, saffron, sherry vinegar, and green olive salsa.
He adds the restaurant will take diners on a journey from downtown Broadbeach to Europe.
“We want people to feel like they’re sitting overlooking the Mediterranean, as a gentle breeze blows over them,” he says.
He says each of the cultures they’ve brought together all have something in common: connection through food.
“By having the flavours of these countries on the table at the same time, we’re redefining share-style dining and showing that they can all be enjoyed side-by-side.”
Singha, who has worked with hospitality legends Peter Doyle and the late Bill Granger, has also brought back the shawarma, a dish from his previous Sydney venue, Bang.
“We couldn’t take it off the menu as people would come in especially, so it’s great to be able to share it once more,” he says.
Signature cocktails include the rosemary-infused Negroni Scalas and Nick the Greek with ouzo and star anise. A Mediterranean-inspired wine list is also on offer.
The 120-seat venue has three distinct spaces to dine in, including a main dining area with a wall-sized coastal European mural, bar seating, and an expansive alfresco area.
Located on the former Ti Amo site, at 17 Albert St, Broadbeach, Meltemi Mediterrania is open from 12pm to late, seven days a week.
Photography provided by Dan Peled.
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