A look back at last years Easter

Thought I should share some images that encompass a Greek Easter. 

Happy Easter + Kalo Pasxa

'My Greek Kitchen' on SBS TWO this Saturday evening

Keep an eye out for ‘My Greek Kitchen’ on SBS TWO this coming Saturday evening at 6.30PM. It promises to deliver an authentic view of how the Greeks + Cypriots grow and cook their food. Check it out … a must-see for all foodies :) You have to admire Tonia's passion and love of Cypriot / Greek food.

6.30 Cyprus (Part 1) - Tonia Buxton takes a culinary tour of Greece, focusing on how both traditional culture and the modern way of life influence the Greek approach to growing and cooking food. In the first episode, Tonia is on her ancestral homeland of Cyprus. There she visits a goat farm to help milk some lively goats and to see how traditional halloumi cheese is made. (From the UK, in English and Greek) (Food Series) G

7.00 Mykonos (Part 1) - Tonia travels to Mykonos, one of the most chic resorts in Greece. There she cooks red mullet parcels, and baklava - a traditional sweet Greek dessert made with nuts and honey. She also gets a bird's eye view of the island from a helicopter, and visits the aptly titled Paradise Beach. (From the UK, in English and Greek) (Food Series) G

‘Meet the Greek’ restaurant in Brighton le Sands

It may have gone unnoticed to some of us, however, ‘Meet the Greek’ restaurant opened in Brighton le Sands last Wednesday evening. The interior looks great and in some way completes and complements that piece of the strip along the Grand Parade. Have you been? I would be interested in getting your feedback.

One picture I came across on twitter is from Jason Loucas. http://twitter.com/#!/jasonloucas/status/181923146901880832/photo/1

Eurovision song contest 2012

This May the Eurovision song contest will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Out of the Final 4, Greece has voted to go with Eleftheria Eleftheriou - Aphrodisiac. It's a cool, catchy song and hopefully it can go a long way to lifting the depressed mood of the Greeks. 


Final Four
1 - Cassiopeia – KIller Bee
2 - Velvet Fire - No Parking
3 - Eleftheria Eleftheriou – Aphrodisiac   http://youtu.be/SP_flxIVs34
4 - Dora ft. Claydee Lupa – Baby I’m Yours
http://youtu.be/DAEJw52Y1Eg

I’ll have a closer of all the countries/songs to the event …


I should mention that the Cypriot entry - Ivi Adamou - La la Love – is a great song. A lot of energy!
http://youtu.be/MSrS-2cunM4

Sydney Greek Restaurants / Tavernas

Over the past 12 months or so, the Greek dining scene has welcomed a number of new additions including Xanthi in Westfield Sydney CBD, Parea in Kogarah, The Island in Sans Souci and The Apollo in Potts Point. Some, if not all, offer wonderful food, good service and in some cases you may be surprised with live Greek music. Below is a rundown of the Greek dining options in Sydney. Feel free to contribute your own favourite Greek restaurant / taverna J

Sydney City

Aesops                                                   131 Macquarie St, CBD     www.aesops.com.au

Athenian                                               11 Barrack st, Sydney CBD     www.athenian.com.au

Diethnes                                               336 Pitt St, Sydney CBD     www.diethnes.com.au

George’s Bar & Grill                         King Street Wharf, CBD     www.georgesrestaurant.com.au

Medusa Greek Taverna                  2 Market St, Sydney CBD     www.medusagreektaverna.com.au

The Apollo                                            44 Macleay St, Potts Point     www.theapollo.com.au
Xanthi                                                    Level 6, Westfield – Sydney CBD     xanthi.com.au

North

The Mad Greek                                    83 Walker St, North Sydney                              

Inner West
Corinthian Rotisserie                       283 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville
Nostos                                                   121 Norton St, Leichhardt     www.nostos.com.au

Kafenes                                                 149 Enmore Rd, Enmore     www.kafenesgreekrestaurant.com

Mythos Taverna Bar                          63 Norton St, Leichhardt     www.mythos.com.au

Steki Taverna                                       2 O’Connell St, Newtown     www.steki.com.au

3 Olives                                                  365 King St, Newtown

South

Kamari Greek Taverna       82 The Grand Parade, Brighton-le-Sands    www.kamari.com.au

Mike's Grill & Bar                41 Princes Hway, Sylvania     www.mikesgrill.com.au
Parea                                         46-48 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah     www.parea.com.au
The Island                               1/347-349 Rocky Point Rd, Sans Souci   www.islandrestaurant.com.au

Yeeros / Gyros & Burgers

Paul's Famous Hamburgers   12 Princes Hwy, Sylvania   www.paulsfamoushamburgers.com.au
Souvlaki Bar at Brighton          Corner The Grand Parade and Bay Street, Brighton-le-Sands 

The Yeeros Shop                        431 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
Victoria Yeeros                           301 Victoria Road, Marrickville

Sydney Greek Butchers

Greeks love their meat and with Easter fast approaching, it may be a worthwhile time to get yourself around to one of the following Greek butchers and get yourself ready for the feast on Easter Sunday. Lamb, souvlakia and plenty more are on offer …

Advanced Poultry                         327 Canterbury Rd, Canterbury    www.advancedpoultry.com.au 

Illawarra Meat Market                368 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

Parkside Superior Meats            10 Crinan St, Hurlstone Park

Supreme Souvlakia                       411 Burwood Rd, Belmore

Thessalia Butchery                        441 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

Sydney Greek Bakeries / Patisseries

Although we don’t quite have the designer bakery in Sydney as yet (in reference to Ble Bakery in Thessaloniki or Electra in Edessa, Greece), Sydney still offers a good cross section of bakeries and patisseries … whether your just your after a basic olive bread, spanakopita or tsoureki, you're bound to find something to your liking.  

Greek Cakes by Eleni           914 Anzac Parade, Maroubra

Hellenic Bakery                      371 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

Nick's Cake Shop                   313 Bay Street, Brighton-le-Sands

Prestige Patisserie                2-4 Jubilee Ave, Carlton

Princess Cakes                        49 Rocky Point Road, Kogarah

T.I.M Products                        407 Enmore Rd, Marrickville                          www.timproducts.com.au

Trianon Cakes                         289 Homer Street, Earlwood

Yiannis Bakery                       112 Railway Pde, Kogarah                       

*Christopher’s Cake Shop    - various locations                      www.christopherscakeshop.com.au

The Euro's - European Football Championship 2012

In the lead up to the European Championship in Poland/Ukraine, here is a quick look at what lies ahead for the Greek National Team - i ‘Ethniki’. Last week they scored a respectable 1 – 1 draw with Belgium midweek and have scheduled friendlies against Slovenia and Armenia at the end of May. Once again, Greece will open the tournament against co-hosts Poland. Under coach/manager Fernando Santos, the Greeks have performed admirably and did well to seal automatic qualification out of a tough qualifying group containing Croatia.

Here is a look at their matches at the Euro’s

Friday, June 8 - Poland v Greece

Tuesday, June 12 - Greece v Czech Republic

Saturday, June 16 - Greece v Russia