LOCATION
Just 40 minutes south of Adelaide you will find some of the nations finest beaches, skirting an internationally renowned wine district, the McLaren Vale, an area that produces some of Australia’s most superb wines.
CHEF
Chef Harley Ireland is relatively new to the venue but has been the driving force behind the new menu. Harley is originally from Adelaide, however his last position before the Star of Greece Cafe was at Watt Modern dining in Brisbane. During his time there, the restaurant reeived an award for the Best Alfresco Rstaurant. Young and enthusiastic, Harley has enough experience to listen to the customers needs and presents a greater selection of starter plates providing greater flexibiity for customer choice. The entrees and mains have been reduced slightly in price and now customers wont necessarily feel locked into the three course affair.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Famed for its panoramic views, this kiosk-come-cafe is named after the shipwreck that has rested nearby in her seawater bed since 1888. Outside, the alfresco area is stark, so focus on the natural artwork of the oceanic landscape. Its expanse sits in contrast with the restrained menu which, while small, is not shallow. It shows great depth with dishes such as chicken and foie gras sausage with grilled plums, tatsoi (Asian greens) and toasted pistachios. Rich tea-smoked duck breast is married to meaty pan-fried scallops, bitter chocolate sauce and cleansing watermelon. It comes with crepes that are shredded and not used to make the expected duck roll. Carpaccio of ocean trout delights with its cauliflower cous cous and trout crackling. The Greek touch is felt with more-ish fried whitebait and Kangaroo Island haloumi. Lemon mayonnaise coats squid caught that morning by local anglers in the Port Willunga waters below.
At five pages long, the wine list offers a far larger selection of beverages than the menu does of food. It casts its net far wider than the neighbouring McLaren Vale vineyards. Labels include French, Italian, Spanish, and even a Chilean wine. Make the icing on your dessert cake a glass of “ice wine”, a sweet Canadian import. Complete your meal with a toast to the magnificent view – a luscious drop of 95 Penfolds Grange or some bubbles of 98 Dom Perignon should match it nicely.
Roz Taylor, February 2008
DETAILS
An added bonus when visiting McLaren Vale is that you are able to drive through the vineyards down to the coastline to magnificent white sandy beaches and have lunch or dinner at Star of Greece. Named after a cargo ship that ran aground in 1888, Star of Greece is perched on cliffs looking towards the blue waters of the Gulf of St. Vincent and up the dramatic coast, resembling the Adriatic coastline or the white cliffs of Dover - all this only a short distance from Adelaide’s finest wineries. Star of Greece charming owner Zanny Garcia, purchased the 1960’s kiosk as part of a wedding gift and only recently carried out renovations and extensions ensuring that it lost none of its kiosk/beachhouse charm.
The atmosphere here is terrific with lots of character, having the effect of possibly making you feel better the minute you walk inside. Zanny has added a lot of personal touches with hand painted colourful chairs and glasses which she has source whilst on visits to Bali.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Whether is it winter or summer, rain or shine, the view of the sea and the view up the coastline is stunning. On a warm summers nights it’s a most enjoyable experience to watch the sun go down on the horizon, whilst enjoying a plate of oysters or calmari with a local McLaren Vale wine. Even on a winter’s day the scenery out to sea and up the coastline is stunning but you wont be able to see as far as Maslin Beach, the next up from Port Willunga, famous for its nudist beach and nude Olympics held each year.
A blackboard menu is also available with daily specials, or try the tasting menu including 6 - 8 courses from $75pp.
Not surpringly there is a small but excellent wine list which focuses on the wines of the region.
Functions
Large groups and weddings/receptions are available by special arrangement only.
Closed Christmas Day and New Years Eve