Lunch Sized Adventures – Greek on Cav

Originally we were going to a Nepalese restaurant to celebrate my niece’s 21st but they were closed for renovations. Jackie’s ‘plan B’ was to travel to the other side of the globe and head to Greek On Cav, very handily located in the suburb next to ours. So, we found ourselves on a sunny Sunday lunch time dipping a toe into the warm waters of the Aegean and wondering just how early was too early for our first glass of retsina?

From the moment we stepped in the door the welcome from the owners was friendly and accommodating. We’d decided not to sit outside in the sun so they pulled some tables together and fitted us inside. Ice buckets and water were delivered and someone was on hand to explain the menu and suggest popular or unique items.

As you’d imagine, the menu is extensive and in keeping with Greek hospitality, portions are generous. Of course there’s dips and fried haloumi in the entrees but also more interesting meze such as Revithi, chickpea fritters. I’d imagined these as almost felafel like but they were a flat patty with a crisp edge where they’d been shallow fried. Good value at 6 for $8.

My Garides (Prawns) Saganaki was bubbling fresh out of the oven, filled to the brim with a rich tomato sauce and at least a dozen king prawns. Dressed with mint, dill and feta and served alongside rice and bread, this was incredibly good value at $22. The classic and hard to resist Moussaka (also $22) wasn’t oily at all and kept Anthony very happy until he could devour the rest of my prawns.

In addition to the standard menu items, there are some genuinely good value platter and banquet style options. The nieces went with a shared menu for $35 each which included dips, an enormous platter of grilled meat and seafood, fresh salad and potatoes. Special mention to the humble vine leaf dolmades that are made by the restaurant from scratch. The quality is obvious as soon as you see them. So much nicer than the ones that are usually fished out of tin or jar. Dessert of the ever popular honey puffs with a luscious baklava ice cream followed. These honey puffs have a bit of crunch to them and beat out both Esquire and The Euro to win ‘the Urban List’s ‘Best Dessert in Brisbane’ in 2013. Not bad for a little suburban diner. The girls are whippet thin but can really pack it away yet even they were defeated by the amount of food. A very good value menu.

Loukoumades… ‘Best Dessert in Brisbane’

Visiting Greek on Cav is like dropping in on your extended family. A warm welcome, lots of hearty meals and home made specialities (did I mention the ouzo ice cream?) and a relaxed atmosphere. Greek on Cav is also open for breakfast with delicious sounding items such as Hellenic Tartlet and Horiatiki Eggs. So glad we stumbled onto this place and look forward to our return.

Greek On Cav
377 Cavendish Rd
Coorparoo Qld 4151
www.greekoncav.com.au

Visited: Sunday 24th August 2014 – Lunch Service