What do you get when you mix Greek dining and British produce with Australian hospitality? You’ll find the answer at a new six-month residency at TT Liquor in Shoreditch, when esti brings its blend of fire-cooked casual Greek food (with bonus Aussie influences) to the Orangery on the bar's first floor.
The name ‘esti’ is both an ancient Greek term that means ‘to do’ and a riff on ‘estiatorio’ (the Greek word for ‘restaurant’). Kostas Vais, the founder, is bringing his Greek heritage along with food-and-beverage experiences (including The 3 Little Pigs souvlaki food truck) to the dining experience and is joined by head chef Sal Galasso, who has worked for over a decade in some of Australia’s best restaurants, including Sydney’s Rockpool Bar & Grill. We’re already excited about some of the indigenous Australian herbs that have been sourced – finger lime, lemon myrtle and forest anise – which are rare enough on these shores.
Lovers of fire-cooked food will be happy this is the main draw, and you’ll find the following on the menu.
- Octopus braised in spicy bush tomato sauce, served with green salad
- Twice-cooked charred lamb ribs, dressed with tzatziki and ‘desert dust’ (an Australian spice mix)
- Fish (Cornwall catch of the day) served with macadamia skordalia and garlic-spiked Greek dip
- Paperbark-smoked carrots with British honey and cumin
- Fried ‘osso bucco’ with cornflakes, feta, avocado and pickled onions
- Iced parfait with Australian lemon aspen berries, Cretan olive oil, sprinkled with Murray River salt
As you’d expect from TT Liquor, the drinks will be on point, with a bespoke cocktail menu available alongside a selection of beer and wine. And the good news is the fun may not have to end after six months, with esti planning to open a permanent restaurant in the autumn. We’ll keep you posted on where they end up.
More about Esti
Where is it? 17B Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AA
When? 12 March 2023 for six months
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @esti.restaurant
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