Aegli

Overview

Sitting behind a classic terrace facade on Coventry Street, Aegli has quietly, but surely, been contributing value to Melbourne's famed Greek dining scene, with an impressive wine list and a menu showcasing regional specialities, since it opened last year. As it celebrates its first anniversary, its owner reflects on its success and looks forward with excitement to his next project, set to open soon. 

Aegli, meaning radiance, elegance, or splendour in Greek, has gradually built up a loyal following and a reputation as one of Melbourne's more refined Greek spots, shining light on lesser-known traditions of Greek cuisine. It happened to open during a boom of Greek dining in Melbourne, with old-timey establishments being reimagined for future generations, and many new, varied Greek offerings popping up around town. And yet, rather than get lost in this wave, Aegli managed to stand out, carving its own niche offering focusing on contemporary dining and Greek wine. 

Owner, Chef Ioannis Kasidokostas, and his wife, Maria Tsilfoglou, were no strangers to the Melbourne hospitality scene, well-known for their neighbourhood hangout, Sowl, in Carnegie. With Aegli, Kasidokostas went back to his roots, championing cultural authenticity through exploring regional flavours and dishes that exemplify the diversity of Greek cuisine. 

"Growing up in Greece, we would travel through the country and eat in so many different places, from little rural area villages to fancy restaurants in the cities, and the food wasn't what you see here. I want to share this experience, perspective and flavours with my guests," says Kasidokostas. 

Seasonal dishes include fig and olive tapenade served with hot spelt bread, baked Anthotiro cheese with sour cherry and caper relish, octopus and black-eyed beans salad, stuffed baked eggplant, dry-aged beef sausage with lima beans, pork steak with prunes and chestnuts, and wood-fired frilled chicken with glazed pearl onions. 

Aegli now also offers a curated retail wine selection, allowing guests to take home their favourite bottle directly from the restaurant. This offering is part of Kasidokostas' mission to showcase the depth and sophistication of Greek wine culture. "We cannot offer the ultimate experience of Hellenic cuisine without Greek wine. Food and wine have existed together since ancient times. To tell the story of Greek cuisine properly, we must also tell the story of Greek wine."

"Greek wine has become world-class. The combination of a restaurant and bottle shop gives guests the opportunity to try something before they buy it. We can introduce people to wines they may never have experienced otherwise," says Kasidokostas. 

Kasidokostas, not one to rest on his laurels, has plans for even bigger and better things to come. His next venture, Helios, a three-storey Greek restaurant, is slated to open shortly. "Melbourne is always ready for a revival of any cuisine. People here are open to new concepts, and they've really understood what we're trying to do. We've built a loyal community around Aegli, and that's why we're opening another restaurant. People are hungry for authentic Greek cuisine presented in an elevated restaurant setting," says owner Ioannis Kasidokostas. 

Images: Supplied. 

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