Gazi Greek Restaurant

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The former Press Club restaurant in Melbourne has been reborn into Gazi – the latest venture of Masterchef judge George Calombaris, serving up Greek street food in the CBD.

The restaurant is distinctive in itself. As you walk in the sleek sliding doors, the first thing to be noticed is the artistic ceiling covered in dangling flower pots.



There is a casual yet cool feel in the restaurants vibe, with backgammon sets, pink floodlit toilets, and tables with quirky plates depicting the evil eye.



The food provides diners with the opportunity to experience an entirely different side of Greek cuisine, offering Athenian style street food, or what Calombaris calls 'Dirty Hellenic Food', and transports you to a grungy alleyway in Athens.

Named after his favourite Athens neighbourhood Gazi is one of the hippest zones of Athens and is an area known for its street food and food vans, and as such, Gazi offers a menu of traditional Greek classics with a contemporary twist.

The banquet 'Doing It Greek Style', is a 10 dish sharing menu with your choice of souvlakakia for $65 per person, and is the best option to sample all the best the menu at Gazi has to offer.

You will start with warm pockets of fluffy, fresh and lightly charred pita bread triangles, which is served with a tasty and tangy tarama dip.



Golden deep fried saganaki cheese is next on the hit list, and is delivered piping hot and bubbling in a cast iron pan, served with cumquat jam. The saltiness of the cheese with the sweetness of the jam is divine.



The king prawns are delicious and salty, and served with diced black olives and capers.



The pork belly with white beans and apple skordalia is moist, tender and perfectly cooked, and arrives with an iceberg lettuce salad.



A delight on the lips but hell on the hips is the fried potatoes. Greeks are usually known for their baked potatoes but these large style hot chips are crispy, seasoned with oregano, garlic oil and feta, and are not to be missed.



The chicken souvlakia arrives in a pillow of pita bread, infused with a few potato chips, (yes more chips) and is stuffed with chicken, onions and a tasty mustard mayonnaise. It is designed to be eaten by hand so don't try to be polite and use cutlery.



If you can manage to squeeze in dessert, you cannot go past the Loukomathes – a Greek doughnut with Nutella, hazelnut and honey. These little deep fried ball are delicious and drizzled with sweetness.

Last but not least is the most impressive looking dessert and artwork on a plate – being the Acropolis Now – a miniature acropolis dessert made from blood orange mousse, coffee and mastic. Very unique indeed in terms of taste and appearance.



Overall, Gazi is a great exciting chic and vibrant restaurant in Melbourne's CBD, and a fun food experience not to be missed.

There's a cool element to this Greek restaurant and the attentive service, delicious cuisine and fun ambience make for a memorable dining experience. Come here with your friends for a vibrant Greek feast.

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