Hellenic Hotel
28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
03 9207 7477
Greek
$$$
Food
- Dips with Pita
- Taramosalata
- Tzatziki
- Fava
- XO Oysters
- Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder
- Moussaka
- Yo-Chi Sundae
- Greek Donuts
The Good
It was off to a tasty start with a trio of dips. These dips were individually wonderful in and of itself and even better with some soft, warm pita. Our favourite was undoubtedly the Taramosalata, made with salted fish roe that was mixed with plenty of olive oil and a hint of lemon, the flavours were bold and the texture creamy. We also enjoyed the textured Tzaziki, which incorporated thin shreds of fresh cucumber and a rich yoghurt.
We accompanied our dips with some XO Oysters. Each oyster was topped with a generous helping of XO sauce offering an appetising and slightly chilli experience. Within, the fresh and juicy ouster was tender and delicious, all without so much of a hint of fishiness.
It’s no doubt our Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder was deemed a must try. Cooked on low heat for a total of 14 hours, the tender and succulent lamb fell apart with ease as we dug in with our fork. The outer skin was beautifully seasoned and exhibited a light char, protecting a juicy and flavoursome inner that was well balanced in lean and fatty bits, which of course made for excellent flavour and a diverse texture. This dish was exceptionally well paired with a crisp refresh slaw with a hint of sweetness thanks to the honey. Absolutely delicious.
The Moussaka was undoubtedly the highlight of our meal. Served up from a traditional recipe handed down by George Colombaris’ own mother, this authentic Greek dish certainly couldn’t get much better. Digging underneath the top layer of crisp, charred cheese, reveals a beautifully thick and creamy layer of bechamel. At the bottom sat a generous helping of chunky, braised beef and lamb that was exceptionally tender and succulent. We found the sauce thick and seasoned, mixed with gooey eggplant and plenty of potatoes, which made for an exceptionally rich and hearty dish.
We rounded off our meal with a Yo-Chi Sundae. The more than generous serving of silky smooth, creamy vanilla frozen yoghurt was delicious in and of itself. When topped with crunchy cookie crumbs, Reese’s peanut butter cups and drizzled with a peanut butter caramel, this was undoubtedly a peanut butter lovers dream come true!
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Unfortunately the Greek Donuts did not quite hit the mark tonight. Generously dressed in a sweet chocolate sauce, the donuts themselves were disappointingly rubbery and dense. This was far from the crispy outer and fluffy inner we were after, and to be honest we were genuinely sad that these simple Greek staples weren’t quite up to scratch.
The Verdict
Our near-flawless Greek Feast at Hellenic Hotel certainly impressed. Their traditional Greek items like the Slow Roasted Lamb and the Moussaka are of course, signature dishes that should not be missed. Coupled with delicious entrees, an extensive wine list, and a gorgeous beer pavilion, this may just be the perfect spot Sunday lunch this summer!
Would Penguin Eat Again?
You bet! We just can’t wait to be back for more of that Slow Roasted Lamb!
Penguineats would like to thank Hellenic Republic for inviting us.