Greek-inspired restaurant coming to Shoreditch
Greek-inspired casual dining restaurant Esti opens on 12 March, kicking off a six-month residency at TT Liquor in Shoreditch.
Fire-cooked Greek-inspired dishes wil be the focus, served in the traditional sharing style. Founder, Kostas Vais, has a deep passion for his Greek heritage, heavily influenced by the nostalgic cooking of his mother and yiayia (grandmother). With his experience in food and beverage in Australia, Vais has combined both elements to offer a Greek-inspired dining experience alongside warm Australian hospitality.
Menu highlights include classic chicken and pork souvlakia, served with tzatziki and the traditional trimmings in flaky pitas. Twice-cooked lamb ribs also feature, dressed with tzatziki and an Australian spice mix known as desert dust. There will also be octopus, braised in a spicy bush tomato sauce and served alongside a green salad. Fish of the day will be served with garlic-spiked Greek dip with macadamia skordalia. Vegetables take centre stage in plates of smokey coal-charred aubergine, pomegranate, tahini yogurt and fried peanuts; or paperbark smoked carrots with British honey and cumin.
A short selection of snacks will also be available, including taramosalata topped with zhoug and served with potato skins for scooping. Fried ‘Osso bucco’ with corn flakes, feta, avocado and pickled onions will also be served, along with saganaki ‘toasties’ with confit lime and honey.
Featured on the dessert menu will be the iced parfait with Cretan olive oil. Lemon aspen berries, native to Australia, are made into a confit to finish the parfait along with a sprinkling of Murray River salt.
Head chef Sal Galasso will evolve the menu every six months. Galasso comes with 11 years of experience in some of Australia’s most renowned restaurants, including Totti’s and Rockpool Bar & Grill.
A bespoke cocktail menu by TT Liquor, as well as a selection of wine, beer and soft drinks, will be offered alongside the food.
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