Licence to Grill – 6 Venues Where the Steaks Are High

Spring has sprung and thoughts turn to lazy days and evenings alfresco as meat sizzle on the grill and a cold glass of wine or beer beckons.

Nothing says delicious more than the tantalising aromas of perfectly cooked meat, seafood and vegetables…here are six venues to celebrate Spring with family and friends over a grilled meal and a tipple:

Find a haven of heart-warming tradition and cherished memories at Kuzina on Main Road in Eltham. Taking its name from the Greek word for ‘kitchen’, this Melbourne dining destination encapsulates the essence of familial warmth and togetherness; extending a heart-felt welcome inviting you to embark on a nostalgic journey through the flavours of authentic Greek and Cypriot cuisine.

 

Mezze plates such as char-grilled calamari or halloumi set the scene for a memorable culinary adventure, move onto grilled lamb cutlets with sides of lemon potatoes, bitter greens, olive oil and lemon; seafood lovers get their thrills on the grill from King prawns, or seared scallops, fava and saffron Ouzo reduction.

Step into Anatolia Restaurant on Gartside Street for a taste of the Mediterranean in Wanniassa. Offering a unique atmosphere perfect for any occasion, sip on fine wines and bespoke cocktails as you enjoy live music at the weekend in warm and welcoming surrounds of leather banquettes, softly glowing wall lights and circular pendents adding a romantic vibe, ideal for date nights for family celebrations.

 

Relish expertly-crafted kebabs, mezes and housemade dips, before succulent char-grilled chicken, robust steaks and tender lamb cutlets; perhaps start with charcoal-grilled octopus, pomegranate glaze and wild spices, then devour dishes from the burning flame such as chicken breast marinated in lemon, garlic and Turkish spices, with mash and spinach.

Ancient Greek-inspired eats and drinks are on the menu at Yiamas on Denis Street in Subiaco. This Perth dining destination boasts a casual and cool neutral-hued palette with splashes of olive green and natural textures, while the leafy, trellised courtyard is wrapped with rendered walls and the cement bar beckons for lingering over a cocktail or two.

 

Order an Olive Leaf Martini to get the party started along with meze plates like grilled octopus, skordalia, lemon and parsley; for the main, think charcoal grilled fish with lemon, garlic, oregano and sides of fried new potatoes and warm white beans, or coal-roasted chicken with a Yiamas salad. Finish authentically with Eleni’s baklava and bay leaf parfait.

Exclusively located at Crowne Plaza Sydney Burwood, Onyx Grill is a premium dining destination inspired by the surrounding environment and Modern Australian cuisine. Situated on Burwood Road, this open-fire restaurant boasts wooden ceilings, black velvet banquette seating, leather dining chairs and intimate tables, ideal for an intimate rendezvous with someone special.

 

Start with flatbread from the wood-fired grill or calamari fritti, aioli, wild rocket and lemon; followed by Wagyu rib eye on the bone with buttermilk pomme purée and truffle paste, steamed seasonal greens and lemon dressing on the side, or wood-fired King prawns with chilli butter and fried capers.

Built in 1860, The Peel Inn Hotel on Jenkins Street in Nundle is a Gold Rush pub operated by a fourth-generation publican who has run the watering hole for the last 53 years. A friendly drinking destination for locals and travellers for more than 150 years, discover a classic corner-style pub with fretwork, an upstairs verandah and alfresco tables; while indoors is all charm with antique furniture, timber floors and fireplaces.

 

Order an ice-cold beer and start with prawn and chorizo skewers, sweet chilli mayo, lemon and garden salad, then order a signature steak from the grill like Scotch fillet, served with creamy mash, honey glazed carrots, seasonal greens and pepper sauce; make sure to leave room for a dessert of cashew cheesecake and seasonal berries.

Modern Greek cuisine, lovingly created in the heart of Cowes, has locals and visitors returning time and again to Bani’s Restaurant & Bar on Thompson Avenue. This Phillip Island dining destination has picturesque views of Western Port Bay while indoors embraces a coastal vibe of blue and white with cane and blond wood table settings and stunning pictures of the Aegean coastline.

 

Begin your feast with char-grilled octopus, fava bean purée, capers, gherkins, pickled peppers and hazelnuts, before mains of King prawns grilled over fire, with roasted cherry tomato, spanakorizo, crumbled feta, dressing, fresh parsley and walnut salsa; carnivores opt for slow-cooked lamb shoulder, almond tarator, roasted capsicum salad and potatoes.