Ioannis Kasidokostas wants to change the way you think about Greek food.
Aegli, his new 100-seat house of Hellenic delights is a showcase for his heritage and his love for regional cuisine. It’s a restaurant that looks to lesser-known parts of Greece for inspiration but keeps its feet firmly planted in Melbourne.
The vision comes through in the menu, with a lobster and salted ricotta hilopites (the Greek pasta) and the moshari kokkinisto, a hefty and hearty claypot slow-baked beef with eggplant proving popular with diners. Those looking for the comfort and familiarity of Aegli’s sibling restaurant Sowl, meanwhile, will find it in the 72-hour lamb of the gods which is up for grabs as a dish for two at both of Kasidokostas’s locales.
Top of the menu there’s a highly dippable fig and olive tapenade, marinated raw fish, and a truffle and mushroom magiritsa (the classic offal stew) often found in the far corners of Meteora. Smoked saganaki makes a warm and welcome appearance on the table, too, only this one’s a specialty from Metsovo in northern Greece. The menu closes out with classic Greek sweets including bougatsa and Greek-style rice pudding, and a wine list spotlighting both Greek and Australian wines.
“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,” says Kasidokostas. “I want to share this experience, perspective and flavours with my guests.”
For over six years, he has been sharing his story at Sowl, and now he’s bringing that spirit to South Melbourne with Aegli.
Aegli, 226 Coventry St, South Melbourne, open 5.00pm-10.30pm Tues-Sun, aegli.melbourne, @aegli.melbourne
By Lauren Liao