Krasi and Souvla at Love, Tilly Devine

This souvlaki and wine-filled takeover of Darlinghurst's much-loved bar is the perfect way to settle into a public holiday.
Nishika Sharma
April 18, 2023

Overview

Love, Tilly Devine is no stranger to takeovers — the venue previously featured Western Australian winemakers Yoko Luscher-Mostert and Andries Mostert of Brave New Wine back in late 2022. Now, the wine bar is set to shine a spotlight on some local Greek hospitality veterans.

This time around, NSW winery Aristotelis Ke Anthoula and chef Tim Cassimatis will be heading up a Greek takeover of the venue. With top-notch eats, traditional Greek-inspired drinks, and a public holiday on the following day, you have every reason to spend your Monday night having your fill of Greek treats.

The winery on show is run by South Pambula duo, Tony Zafirakos and Maddie Park-Neilson and receives its name from its founders — Zafirakos' parents — Aristotelis and Anthoula. From starting the business out of a Sydney garage in the 80s to owning and operating a winery on NSW's south coast, the pair continue his parent's legacy by honouring their heritage and producing pure, handcrafted and minimal-intervention wines.

Both Zafirakos and Park-Neilson will be pouring their latest range of hand-made wines, including their Retsini, inspired by the traditional Greek wine Retsina. The drink is fermented with Aleppo pine tree resin that is flown in from a small mountaintop village in Greece and is 100-percent Riverland Zibibbo. A variety of other sips from the producer will also be on offer, including the duo's effervescent take on rosé and their skin-contact white-ish Fiano.

Covering the eats portion of the takeover is Cassimatis. Known for his Greek pop-ups at both Kosta's Takeaway and Whole Beast Butchery, and having also taken up space in restaurants such as Rockpool Bar & Grill and Barzaari, the renowned chef will bring his wealth of experience to Love, Tilly Devine to provide a hefty menu of Greek classics.

The menu will feature an elegant take on traditional Greek dishes to lead you on a journey across the regions of the Mediterranean nation. You'll find chicken pita souvlaki with smoked chilli and a snake bean salad, barbecued Port Lincoln octopus, kalitsounia — cheese-and saltbush-filled pastries, and Cassimatis's take on a hotdog — loukanika sausage paired with koji mustard and leek sauce.

Head over to the Darlinghurst bar at 5pm on Monday, April 24, for this wine- and souvla-filled night. Book your spot here, or feel free to drop by on the day — walk-ins are also welcome.

Photo credits: Bruno Sefani and Dexter Kim.

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