Meet the Greek

The first thought that enters my mind when we sit down at Meet the Greek is "I want these lights in my bedroom." 

The restaurant is softly lit with an orange glow, the perfect illumination for a romantic dinner (or boudoir.) While many Greek restaurants tend to lean towards traditional blue and white colours, and sometimes slightly tacky decor, Meet the Greek has found a point of difference in its rustic, natural atmosphere. It almost looks like a wine cellar, with warm wooden walls and rows and rows of full bottles. On every table is salt, pepper and olive oil – all Greek brands, of course. 

We're seated in a small enclave, with winding grape vines above us. It's hard to believe we're still in Sydney, and not in a hideaway on a Greek Island. The waiters sustain this fantasy, with their thick accents and generous hospitality. The restaurant provides an education in all things Greek. There's traditional sayings stamped onto the brown paper covering the tables, statistics of Greek populations in different countries on the walls, and even a huge wooden artwork illustrating the most common Greek names and surnames. 

The menu includes all the Greek classics, and the selection of mezes (starters) is sure to have mouths watering even before the food arrives. The oktapodi (octopus) come char-grilled with oregano and lemon, and are lovely and soft, with perfectly crunchy legs. The moussaka is served in a clay pot, topped with a thick layer of béchamel sauce. Every bite is a burst of flavour, the saltiness of the mince balancing perfectly with the sweetness of the sauce. We would have been satisfied at that, but then our souvlaki plate arrives. Rosemary topped lamb souvlakia on a pile of thick chips, tzatziki and soft pita bread, you can't ask for a better combination. 

By now, the food babies in our bellies are ready to pop, and although the desserts sound delicious, we're done. The manager goes beyond the obligatory "how was everything?" and is happy stay for a chat. We're both Greek, and we soon we realise that we have mutual friends, which just adds further evidence to support the theory that Greeks always know each other. 

After a friendly goodbye, the bill is paid without leaving our wallets too light, and we head out into the cool Brighton air for a much needed, digestion-inducing stroll. One of the featured sayings on the wall stays with me, reminding patrons that "the smart children cook before they get hungry". The chefs at Meet the Greek must have learnt this lesson well, because they sure can cook, and there's no way they're leaving anyone hungry.