Foodies have another reason to flock to the seaside suburb of Williamstown with the much-anticipated opening of George Calombaris’ and Travis McAuley’s Hellenic Hotel. I was lucky enough to attend the soft launch this week to get a sneak peek of the restaurant and, of course, sample the menu.
Converted from one of the west’s most iconic pub buildings, the Hobsons Bay Hotel, the Hellenic Hotel opening has breathed new life into the heritage building. The façade still remains largely the same, but venture inside and you’ll be in for a treat.
It’s an incredibly handsome venue, with lofty ceilings and a distinct nautical feel. It plays on a kaleidoscope of ocean blues and, like all of Calombaris’ restaurants, pays homage to its Greek heritage by using the Greek Matiasma “the evil eye” on its plates. There’s plenty of exposed brick and piping which gives it a contemporary feel, warmed up by the use of greenery throughout the venue. Patrons have the option of dining in the tavern downstairs, or enjoying a cocktail and some pub fare in the public bar upstairs. There’s also a spacious verandah with spectacular views of the seaside and city skyline.
Crafted by head chef Josh Pelham (ex Estelle), the menu showcases modern Greek dining, which Calombaris likes to call “Gastro Greek – a Hellenic touch on great Ausssie pub food. Diners can expect to feast on freshly shucked oysters, local seafood and all the Greek clasics like souvlakis, lamb and rotisserie chicken served from the open kitchen. The drinks menu features a great range of local and Hellenic wines and of course the traditional Greek aperitif- ouzo!
The feed me menu at $49 per person (seven courses), is a great option for the indecisive and/or hungry! And at the end of a chilly Melbourne day, this was the perfect option…
We started with a bowl of warm Mount Zero Olives marinated in garlic, thyme and olive oil paired with freshly baked pita and taromosalata (white cod roe dip). This was so good we had to request more pita to mop up every last bit.
This was followed by a sizzling plate of saganaki, finished with apple, clove and black sesame which gave the dish a delicate spicy flavour and a touch of sweetness. With a gorgeous golden gleam on top, the fried cheese literally oozed from the middle upon cutting.
A comforting bowl of kritharaki was infused with squid ink to give it a jet black colour and finished with a sprinkling of mussels and fennel. This was definitely one of the highlights of the evening.
Straight from the rotisserie, the chicken was succulent and tender, with a crispy golden skin. The side dishes included a heirloom carrot salad with fenugreek and roasted almonds and my personal favourite – beetroot paired with sumac and a dusting of pistachios.
We finished on a sweet note with a risagolo (a rice pudding of sorts) topped with rhubarb and candied pistachios. Next time I have my sight set on the pavlova which looked large enough to serve a small army, and the passionfruit loukoumades. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
Hellenic Hotel makes a welcome addition to Williamstown and will no doubt develop a loyal following from locals and tourists alike. It may be two years overdue, but it was certainly worth the wait.
Hellenic Hotel Williamstown
A 28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown, Vic 3016
T (03) 9393 1000
W hellenicrepublic.com.au
Find me on: Web
You had me at golden saganaki! The “feed me” option sounds like amazing value, too 🙂 Glad it was worth the wait after all this time – can’t wait to try it!
Author
Yes you definitely have to try Jess! Really enjoyed the menu, I think it will be popular. I am coming back for the pavlova next time 🙂 hope you had a great weekend x
Yeah look not bad , I would not rush to go back , but you a must try , bit overpriced to be honest , service is great though . Need more lamb o. The menu .
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://accounts.binance.com/bn/register?ref=DB40ITMB
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Thanks, Your article helped me a lot.
The Hellenic Hotel’s opening in Williamstown seems like a fantastic addition to the area! If you’re planning a trip and need help with your photos, https://airbrush.com/object-remover to remove any unwanted elements and make your images look even better. A great way to enhance your travel memories!
The Hellenic Hotel looks like such a fantastic place to visit—great vibes and amazing food! It’s always nice to discover new spots like this for a relaxing getaway. Also, when I’m not traveling, I enjoy playing games like Wordle Unlimited to keep my mind sharp. Thanks for sharing this gem!
This post about the Hellenic Hotel’s opening in Williamstown is really insightful! It’s exciting to see new venues offering more dining and lodging options. For those looking to explore creative possibilities, you might also want to check out this AI tool for image generation: https://www.beautyplus.com/.
This post about the Hellenic Hotel’s opening in Williamstown is really insightful! It’s exciting to see new venues offering more dining and lodging options. For those looking to explore creative possibilities, you might also want to check out this AI tool for image generation: https://www.beautyplus.com/.
Such an exciting development for Williamstown with the opening of the Hellenic Hotel! It looks like a fantastic addition to the area. If you’re ever looking for a fun way to pass the time, try Unlimited Wordle Unblocked for endless word puzzles to keep your mind sharp.
Thank you for the post.
I like it.
It’s exciting to see establishments like the Hellenic Hotel bringing a fresh culinary perspective to Williamstown. The emphasis on authentic Greek flavors paired with a modern twist is sure to attract both locals and visitors. Additionally, for those curious about AI applications in image processing, https://faceswaponline.ai/en/multi-faceswap/ provides a fun way to experiment with facial transformations.
It’s exciting to see establishments like the Hellenic Hotel bringing a fresh culinary perspective to Williamstown. The emphasis on authentic Greek flavors paired with a modern twist is sure to attract both locals and visitors. Additionally, for those curious about AI applications in image processing, https://faceswaponline.ai/en/multi-faceswap/ provides a fun way to experiment with facial transformations.
You ever walk into a restaurant kitchen after a busy night and think, “Did a food fight meet a grease storm in here?” Spaghetti sauce on the ceiling, mystery stains doing the cha-cha near the fryer—it’s culinary chaos! But then, Ukraine Cleaners steps in like a joyful brigade armed with mops, muscle, and magic. They scrub, shine, and sanitize until every surface says, “Yes, chef!” With expert Shoreline WA House cleaning services (yes, they tackle restaurants too), they turn mess into masterpiece. Visit https://ukrainecleaners.com/shoreline/ and give your restaurant the sparkle that’s worthy of your five-star flavor.
The Hellenic Hotel looks like a fantastic new addition to Williamstown stylish, welcoming, and full of charm! Perfect spot for a cozy stay or a casual catch-up with friends. After enjoying great spaces like this, I love winding down with a few rounds of unlimited wrodle it’s a fun way to keep the excitement going!
The Hellenic Hotel looks like a fantastic new addition to Williamstown—stylish, welcoming, and full of charm! Perfect spot for a cozy stay or a casual catch-up with friends. After enjoying great spaces like this, I love winding down with a few rounds of unlimited wrodle it’s a fun way to keep the excitement going!
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.