Kiallas Café,
176 Riddiford Street, Newtown
Coffee:  Peoples.

Rating: 4 out of 5

A friend and I decided to try Kiallas Cafe. I’ve driven past before, but not been too sure what cuisine was on offer. On foot today, we were very happy to see it’s Greek (as is my friend, and somewhat of an expert).

In we went, and took a just vacated table near the window.

The cabinet had filled rolls, paninis, bagels, and sweet treats. The blackboard had more of what we were looking for, with teropita (cheese puff pastry with Greek salad $11), spanakopita ($6, or $11 with salad), saganoki (grilled halloumi on bread $12), Kiallas burger ($17), and souvlaki (lamb kebabs $22).

We wanted the soup of the day (white haricot beans with fresh vegetables and herbs, $10), but it had sold out. So we went for the teropita and saganoki to share, with a side of Greek salad. The flavours were good, and Zany Zeus cheeses are used, which have good texture.

We just couldn’t go past the sweets – koulouraki ($2.50), kourabiedes ($3), ouzo biscuits ($2), baklava ($4), and a walnut and cinnamon torte ($6). We restrained ourselves and chose only one each, she the torte, and me the kourabiedes. The torte was pretty good, but not as good as her mother’s apparently. My Greek shortbread was a bit dry and crumbly, but tasty.

Coffee to finish, served with water, was strong and robust.