You’ve all heard about bottomless brunch, but what about bottomless lunch? Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar has Melbourne newest (and potentially first) bottomless lunch. We were invited to check it out, and spent an afternoon gorging on pitas heaped with tzatziki and learning about the history of Yarraville.
Eleni’s is an institution in Yarraville. The restaurant has been around since 1971, and have been run by three generations of family.
Eleni and family came to Australia in 1962 as a means to escape the Greek civil war. Working as a seamstress and partaking in odd jobs to make ends meet, Eleni soon saw an opportunity to bring authentic Greek cosine from her hometown to Melbourne. The restaurant opened soon thereafter.
The family owned and ran many businesses along Ballarat Street in Yarraville. Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar was originally located across from the Sun Theatre where Yarra Lounge currently is. Locals would enjoy a night out at the theatre, indulging in takeaway from Eleni’s during intermission.
The restaurant has recently relocated to Anderson Street with dining rooms on two levels featuring family photo lined brick walls. The scent of roasted lamb on spits wafts into the street, and the tables fill with Greek families and locals partaking in Sunday feasts.
Plates heaping with lamb, chicken, and a variety of dips leave the kitchen. Eleni’s is all about providing honest, traditional food. Everything is made in house and the quality shows!
As part of our four-course bottomless lunch we get dips pita, chicken skewers with metaxa sauce, Greek meatballs tossed in tomato concasse, and crispy calamari with ouzo aioli. The flavours are perfectly balanced tingling our tastebuds with the traditional tangy citrus, creamy feta, and vibrant oregano seen in Greek food.
We have a few Aperol spritz to wash it all down, and leave Eleni’s feeling full and enlightened with a new piece of history about Melbourne.
Eleni’s bottomless lunch runs every Sunday from 12-2. For $59 you get four courses authentic Greek courses (all made in house) and all the Aperol spritz, mimosas, sparkling, and Zeus Lager you can drink! Reservations are recommended; call (03) 99434233 to book.
– Ember Mitchell
Ember is an American turned Aussie. Her love affair with Melbourne goes back five years, and she still can’t get enough of this city! Discovering new hideouts and hidden gems around Melbourne is her hobby. Marketing Strategist by day, spontaneous adventurer, brekky enthusiast, and aerial acrobat by night.
Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar
28 Anderson St
Yarraville, VIC 3013
https://www.facebook.com/eleniskitchenandbar/
Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar launches a new bottomless lunch with authentic Greek cuisine and all-you-can-drink Aperol Spritz.
