Melbournians who have long wanted the taste of Greek classic slow-cooked dishes, no longer have to wait. The Kafeneion, on Bourke Street will open on May 24 as a joint venture between well-known restaurateur Con Christopoulos and Stavros Konis.
It has long been demanded of Christopoulos that he opens a Greek restaurant, having known ventures such as Degraves Espresso, and he has finally decided to with the help of Konis.
Konis is the third-generation owner of the Greek restaurant Salona in Richmond, and will now operate another Greek dining experience.
“I’ve been bugging Con for many years to do a Greek restaurant together because he is one of my mentors and one of the best restaurateurs in Melbourne,” Konis told Neos Kosmos.
“He’s Greek but doesn’t have a Greek restaurant, so after many years of trying to twist his arm, finally he capitulated.”
Conceived as a pop-up store, Kafeneion will look to eventually move to a larger site permanently come Spring time, but for now, they would like to see how the public reception looks.
“This is a test to see how it’s received, because its not a mainstream Greek restaurant.
“We’re not doing the classics that people know like moussaka, octopus and meat platters, we’re doing more things you’ll get in someone’s home.”
For third generation Greeks and the likes, food that your grandparents or parents would cook.
Slow-cooked dishes known as ladera (cooked in olive oil) and late-night soups. From araka (peas and artichokes), briam (vegetables in tomato), to a fish of the day.
Other offerings include hand cut chips cooked in olive oil.
For those with late night cravings or working at night, the range of soups available include, the classic avolemono, offal soup magiritsa and fish soup kakavia.
Besides food, Kafeneion will offer a variety of wines, about half of them from Greece, and a fun nod to kafenios from the homeland, they’ll be measured in KG (miso kilo).
Konis and Christopoulos will bring a culinary adventure for those both the Greek Melbournians and those looking to taste what Greek’s have outside the mainstream. It looks to be an authentic experience of the Greek hospitality.
Open Tue-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri noon-1am, Sat 4pm-1am from May 24.
70 Bourke Street, 03 9650 0523, Instagram: @kafeneion_melbourne