Out of all of the places I’ve ever visited in my travels, none come close to the Greek island of Santorini; the white buildings clinging to the edge of cliffs, the donkeys carrying tourists up the winding paths, the unbeatable view of the sunset over the crystal clear water, and of course, the endless culinary delights.
The last place I expected to be transported back to Santorini was on Lonsdale Street in Braddon, particularly on a brisk winter’s evening. Stepping into O’Stratos Greek Taverna is about as close to the traditional experience as you can get without stepping foot in an airport.
When we arrived for dinner, the attentive waitresses were quick to seat us in a room dripping in Greek décor, from the walls covered in Santorini-inspired murals, to the table settings, the concrete floors and the Greek music playing in the background.
Unsurprisingly, the menu heavily features seafood, but there are also options for non-seafood eaters and vegetarians.
To start off, my dining partner and I tried a selection of plates, including the Grilled Octopus, Calamari, and Stuffed Calamari, accompanied by a fresh Greek salad topped with plump olives and creamy feta.
The octopus was traditionally char-grilled in fresh garlic and oils, and was tender with subtle flavours. The Calamari was tossed lightly in flour and golden fried, with a light and crunchy texture.
The Stuffed Calamari was a dish neither of us had tasted before. O’Stratos owner and head chef Stan Daglis explained that the traditional dish was rice, tomato, onion and heads of squid chopped up and cooked in garlic, herbs and peppercorns, creating a simply delicious combination.
For mains we tried the Moussaka and Lamb Cutlets, with a selection of the vegetable casseroles on the side.
The tradtional Moussaka, made layered prime beef, potato, eggplant and zucchini, and topped with béchamel sauce was a hearty and satisfying dish.
No Greek feast is complete without lamb, and the juicy cutlets, charcoaled to perfection, did not disappoint.
To top off our evening, we tried the Rice Pudding sprinkled with cinnamon for dessert, which Stan told us was his mother’s recipe. The rich, creamy dish was the perfect end to our meal, and it took a lot of willpower to stop us from licking the bowl clean.
If you’re due for a Greek feast, head to O’Stratos in Braddon – you won’t be disappointed.
Photography by Chris Whitfield.
