Grounds of Arcadia has opened in Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum.
The restaurant has views of the courtyard and is open from Tuesday to Friday, 11:30am until 4:00pm, with plans to launch evening hours later in the year.
“Food and wine is in every Greek’s DNA and so it was only apt for the Museum to launch its very own restaurant … in this unique heritage listed site,” says Hellenic Museum CEO John Tatoulis.
Safat Hossain (Pilu, Manta, National Gallery of Victoria) has been appointed head chef of the restaurant with Samir Slimane (Vivo, Fonda, Chanteen) taking on the role of venue manager.
The menu is split into five sections: dips, meze, substantial, veg and sweet. Diners can enjoy tarama, tzatziki and chargrilled eggplant dips before moving on to small plates including pan-seared halloumi, Greek lentil soup and spanakopita.
Mains cover everything from crispy roast chicken to slow-roasted lamb loin and whole baby snapper. Vegetarian dishes dishes include roast pumpkin wedge with honey and orange glaze and a grain and grilled vegetable salad with homemade baklava and galaktoboureko (Greek custard pie) available for dessert.
The venue also includes two immersive private dining spaces which feature art from Bill Henson and Sam Jinks.
Image credit: Kristoffer Paulsen
