By Leigh O’Connor.
Did you know that olive trees can live for thousands of years and there are more than 800 million planted around the world?
The longest living olive tree in the world can be found on the island of Crete and is believed to be around 4000-years-old – it even still bears fruit.
As we toast World Olive Day on Saturday, November 26 here are four venues to enjoy a meal with family and friends:
Feel welcomed like you are dining at home at Blu Olive Greek Kitchen on Parkhill Drive in Berwick. This traditional Greek souvlaki restaurant believes the most important dishes are hospitality, generosity and friendship; settle in under the watchful eye of black and white photos on the wall, to ponder an authentic menu of char-grilled meat.
Kickstart your journey with a selection of dips – melizanosalata, tzatziki, tarama, skordalia and tirokefteri – topped with Kalamata olives, served with fluffy pita; before sharing a mixed grill platter of lamb, chicken, bifteki, pita, tzatziki, chips and salad.
Get your Greek on at beachside restaurant Xenia Casuarina on Casuarina Way. Nestled in Cotton Beach Resort, this laid-back coastal eatery is the place to dance like Zorba and smash plates on special occasions; or chill out in relaxing surrounds of hanging flowering plants, draped curtains and blue and white cushions, as you linger over a cocktail.
Set sail with a starter of marinated Green Mammoth olives, or flaming Ouzu saganaki; then delve into Sovereign lamb shoulder, lemon potatoes, kale and potato crisps and tzatziki, washed down with a Helen of Troy cocktail.
Melbourne foodies seeking the best souvlaki in town head along Centre Road in Bentleigh to find Alati Greek restaurant. An inviting alfresco space streetside is ideal for people watching before following the tantalising aromas of meat cooking on the rotisserie to find a white-washed interior, splashed with pops of aqua-coloured cushions and potted plants, setting the scene for memorable feasts.
Start with a fresh Greek salad, with tomato, cucumber, red onion and olives; then wrap your hands around a soft-shell crab souvlaki, with lettuce, mint, cucumber and mustard mayo, wrapped in pita and served with chips and tzatziki.
Expect ‘many little dishes’ to graze on when dining at Mezethes Greek Taverna on Salamanca Place in Hobart. Nestled in an historic bluestone building in Salamanca Arts Precinct, this aptly named restaurant oozes a vibrant and friendly ambience for all occasions.
Share a platter to start with fried eggplant, marinated butter beans, fried zucchini, peppers, dolmathakia, sun-dried tomatoes, pickled vegetables, feta, olives and grilled pita; then devour slow-cooked lamb shank, red wine stock, lemon potatoes and salad.
For more Greek restaurants to get your olive on this Saturday, click here.
