1. april / may 2012 r SUMPTUOUS 21
the grind
dining out
True taverna
Relocating to a fresh new home, Taverna is better than ever, delivering the
same scrumptious traditional Greek fare that keeps Adelaideans coming back.
words Ellen Morgan
H
idden in the back corner of Hawker Street in Bowden is
a little slice of Greece. Irridescent blue and white hues
adorn the restaurant, a standout on this leafy suburban
stretch. The inside feature wall is striking, a picturesque
vista of the far-off ocean and quintessential dome homes of
Greece, painted in street-art style. Owners Tirstana and Greg
Hagias want people to feel as if they’ve stepped out of Adelaide
and into the Greek Islands. Mission accomplished.
Modelled on a traditional restaurant in Greece of the same name,
Taverna aims to give diners the whole Mediterranean experience.
“We have even imported the chairs from Greece,” Tristana says.
The food is simply delicious, with basic dishes like a Greek salad
dressed with olive oil and a slab of fetta to crumble with your
fingers. Try a selection of smaller meals to start, such as fried
whitebait or char-grilled Greek sausage.
True to the generous nature of Greek culture, main dishes spill
from already large plates. Yet unlike so many restaurants, size
does not compromise on taste — the zesty flavours holding their
Pure joy
Glenelg’s newest café is luring
coffee aficionados and locals alike.
words Laura Pietrobon
G
lenelg coffee lovers are finding PURE – Boutique Coffee Bar
is the place to watch the world go by. The narrow space
opens up onto the street via sliding glass walls, so you can
soak up the sunshine and watch the hustle and bustle of
Jetty Road. The vibe is relaxed and a little bit cool, with a blackboard
wall, glass, polished wood and a mix of modern and classic furniture.
Director and manager Sebastien Russell says opening the café
in Glenelg was an easy decision. “There was nothing like this down
here, it just seemed like a no brainer to open it.” For his first coffee-
bar-related venture, Sebastien teamed up with business partner
Warwick Deare, who has had more than 10 years’ experience in the
café business. The team is rounded out by Warwick’s father, Mike
Deare. The trio have hit on a successful formula, with the café quickly
becoming popular since opening in December last year.
The café’s focus is firmly on specialty coffee, including siphoned
coffee — the latest old-is-new-again trend. They’re serious
about their beans, using Five Senses, Barossa Coffee Roasters
and Veneziano Coffee. Sebastien says not being a franchise
allows them to source coffee from all over the world. He also
recommends trying the single-origin coffees.
There is a good range of light meals, too, including all-day
breakfast, house-made bread rolls, savoury tarts and a selection
of desserts. All food is made fresh daily by Kristan KaterSA, and
Sebastien recommends the popular breakfast bruschetta. (The
savoury scones are also delicious.) If tea is your thing, PURE
offers some unique varieties such as chocolate marmalade and
rainwater mint from Scullery Made Teas in the Barossa Valley. With
its relaxed and casual atmosphere, PURE is a great place to while
away the hours in style.
Cnr Jetty Rd and Durham St, Glenelg, 8294 2410. Find them on Facebook
own with every mouthful. The calamari is a must: lightly dusted,
fresh and juicy, with peppery bursts.
The extensive menu is sectioned into seafood, char-grilled
meats or oven-baked dishes. With so much choice, expect your
decision time to be rather lengthy. A good tip — share. Taverna is
very suited to the European tradition of communal dining; their
larger dishes make a perfect spread to share with a group of
friends or family. Ask staff for their suggestions too, the waiters
can offer great advice on meals to suit your group size, tastes
and hunger levels. If you’re simply too spoilt for choice, quiz your
waiter on their personal favourite — they won’t let you down.
“We use fresh meats, local seafood and basic Greek spices,”
Tristana says. “That’s why Greek food is so great; it’s not very
complicated, everything is very simply seasoned, and for that
reason it’s also one of the healthiest cuisines.” Good health? What
better reason to head on down and have a taste of Brompton’s
very own piece of the Mediterranean.
28a Hawker St, Brompton, 8346 5515