Alpha Ouzeri
The welcoming atmosphere, flowing ouzo and generous food make Alpha Ouzeri a spirited yet easy-going location to celebrate with family or friends.
Overview
Alpha Ouzeri is a family-run, warm and lively venue that embodies the true spirit of an ouzeri — a Greek establishment that specialises in serving ouzo, Greece's distinctive and much-loved anise-flavoured spirit, alongside meze. The restaurant, a mezeklikia venue — with small snacks and meze plates — has made a triumphant return to Victoria Street, Brunswick. Alpha Ouzeri carries on the decades-old tradition of serving sharing plates as accompaniment to ouzo and other drinks (to help absorb the alcohol), which started back with the Greek blues bars, or Rembetiko clubs, back in the 1920s.
Owners Harry and Rosie Tsuikardanis first opened Alpha Ouzeri in 2008, when it was located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, where it operated until 2016. Harry Tsiukardanis brings over 30 years of experience as a head chef to Alpha Ouzeri, having worked at many renowned restaurants such as Cafe Di Stasio, Epocha, Babajan and Philhellene, which he co-owned with his family.
The home-style food is influenced by the flavours and techniques of Northern Greece, and pays homage to Harry's hometown of Kastoria. The extensive menu includes the usual suspects of dips, saganaki, grilled haloumi, Greek salad, lamb shoulder and fried calamari. However, it also includes less expected dishes such as Harry's signature triple-cooked pork belly with peppered Iranian figs, dates stuffed with labneh and served with cured beef, grilled spiced sausage with harissa, feta and caramelised onions, and ouzo-cured salmon with pickled rhubarb.
The range of menu specials means you can keep coming back to the restaurant over and over again and try something new each time. You might sample baked goat with labneh and broad beans, a Greek seafood paella, potato and feta croquettes with muhammara, swordfish with beetroot salad, or a spinach and rice Greek risotto. While Harry is known for his syrupy loukomades, the dessert menu also includes a yoghurt tart with poached pear or an orange cake with curd for those looking for something less sweet.
What sets Alpha Ouzeri apart is its admirable focus on inclusivity and accessibility. The concept behind the menu is to offer affordable sharing plates to cater for all budgets. You could pop in for a quick ouzo and snack, or settle in and go for the hearty set menu. The venue itself is also accessible, featuring an entrance ramp and other inclusive amenities. The welcoming atmosphere, flowing ouzo and generous food make Alpha Ouzeri a spirited yet easy-going location to celebrate with family or friends. The enclosed courtyard has a capacity of up to 50 people for functions and special events.
Images: supplied.
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