Get your Greek on at Portside’s new Atalanta Bar and Greek
When you think of Greek food, your mind is sure to wander to piles of lemony haloumi, flaky spanakopita and succulent charcoaled meats. Take a minute, wipe that drool from your chin. There’s a new Greek food goddess in town bringing you a bounty of Mediterranean goodness, and she goes by the name of Atalanta.
In Greek mythology, Atalanta was a fierce huntress. Growing up in the wilderness, she became famous as an adventurer and known for her independence and determination. Living up to its namesake, Portside’s new Atalanta Bar and Greek is set to make its mark on the modern Greek food scene, offering a meat-centric menu to sate even the strongest of hunters. Atalanta is the latest project from Harun Gencerler of Ahmet’s South Bank, Next Door Kitchen and Bar and South Side Diner, who has partnered with Simon Bou-Samra from Bou’s for Men Barber Shops for this new venture. Harun has brought over Genceler Group’s Dean Brewer as chef de cuisine, who has crafted a menu to give diners a distinct taste of Greece, without falling into the mould of a traditional Greek restaurant. While you will find some of your traditional Greek favourites – think mezze of haloumi with lemon and herb salsa and warm pita with a trio of dips – much of the menu has an inventive modern twist. The Gathered side of the menu features vegetable delights such as roasted heirloom carrots with soft fetta and coffee-bean shortbread crumble, while The Hunted side sees the likes of meat skewers cooked over the custom-made charcoal pit and roasted pork belly with braised fennel, onions and white anchovies. At lunchtime you can opt for gyros done ‘the Atalanta way’, and dinner offers a five- or seven-course Greek feed. The kitchen will be plating up lunch and dinner every day, and breakfast (such as panned saganaki with smoked bacon, charcoaled tomato and cress) on weekends.
Atalanta’s broad corner space is split into half bar, half restaurant. Inspired by the earthy rawness and beauty of the goddess Atalanta, sleek and natural finishes of bronze, stone and copper are featured throughout the space. An impressive central bar divides each side, both spilling out to the breezy outdoor area at the front of the venue, perfect for lunch in the sun or balmy evenings with a cocktail or ouzo in hand. Atalanta Bar and Greek officially opens its doors on Friday January 29, and you can head to our Stumble Guide for opening hours and contact information.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
