PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAGreek people are renowned for their hospitality and a culture where almost anything is cause for celebration, usually involving family, friends, good food and good wine in equal measure. Estia restaurant has brought a little of this warmth and bacchanalian spirit to a quiet corner of Henley Beach Square for years, courtesy of the Mavridis family. From shady tables out front, the magnificent views over the water are reminiscent of the Greek Islands and a quick look at the menu is enough to transport you across the continents. Indoors the fireplace crackles away, as happy to be there as the patrons who drink and laugh over shared plates of mezethakia.
Whether you’re there for lunch or dinner, it’s best to start with some warm pita bread and a selection of dips such as the htipito (feta, yoghurt, capers and chilli) or the melizanosalata (eggfruit, garlic and tahini), followed by a few dishes to share. My picks are the garithes saganaki (prawns pan-cooked in tomato and feta with garlic, chilli and fresh mint) and the tis skaras arnaki (chargrilled lamb fillet marinated in olive oil, lemon and selected spices). There are a few desserts, but the most enticing option is the shredded kataifi pastry baked and topped with honey and walnuts and finished with a thick layer of creamy custard, fresh cream, cinnamon and walnuts. Estia offers BYO for $9 per bottle corkage, but you’d be remiss not to explore the cellar and choose a wine from the extensive reserve list.
Shelley Hepworth, July 2007
