A true Greek delight: Athens Yacht Club
A whole lot of passion and love goes into creating the Greek destination that is The Athens Yacht Club. Beautiful food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere make the restaurant a standout in Christchurch’s dining scene, that has people coming back time and time again.
Its specialty is Greek cuisine, offered with professional service and a family vibe. Owners Emilios and Rebecca Kotzikas offer comfort food that encapsulates the Greek way of life.
“Real Greek food from the heart; it’s all about passionate chefs, quality ingredients, and traditional recipes dating back hundreds of years,” says Emilios. “It is about culture, comfort, family, and life itself. We strive to bring you the total Greek experience with affordable quality, authenticity, and hospitality being our top priority.”
Aside from the passionate owners and caring staff, diners join this extended family, soaking up the relaxed atmosphere, the wonderful service, and most of all the delicious food. Seduced by “Greek food fit for the gods”, and by generous portions, diners never leave unsatisfied or hungry.
Sourcing local produce and premium meat and fish, the carefully curated menu celebrates fresh and vibrant ingredients, bringing the authentic flavours of Greece to Christchurch.
Some of the menu heroes include the cheese saganaki – flamed Greek cheese with honey, oregano, and metaxa, the slow roasted pork belly with full crackling, carrot puree, fennel eggplant and dill relish, the 1.2kg slow roasted Te Mana lamb shoulder, the stuffed eggplant, the prawn saganaki, the two new ‘specialty salads’ and one of the new desserts, the namelaka – white chocolate and yoghurt, caramelised filo with freeze-dried raspberries. Thank goodness Greek food is made to share because choosing just one meal is no easy task!
And it’s not just the food menu that will have you spoiled for choice.
Athens’s new beverage list features an array of carefully selected New Zealand wines, speciality cocktails and craft beers. The wine list celebrates the amazing winemakers of Canterbury and the wider South Island, some North Island gems, as well as a few delicious international options. For those wanting to celebrate a special occasion there is also a large range of beautiful Champagne options that cover both ends of the price spectrum.
This move towards a more locally curated wine list was important to Emilios. He not only wants to support our local industry, he wants more people to realise how good our local wines really are and to offer an array of wines that are not readily available in stores, showcasing some of the world-class offerings that New Zealand winemakers produce.
The craft beer selection is from a local favourite, Cassels Brewing Co, and the cocktail list has Greek-inspired creations sure to delight everyone’s taste buds.
Emilios and Rebecca believe that dining out should be a memorable experience, every time. This is at the core of what they strive to offer everyone that walks through the door. Serving beautiful food, created with passion is a big part of that, but so too is the hospitality they deliver which creates a true point of difference.
“People forget what hospitality means. For us, it’s loving each person that walks in the door and treating them the way they should be treated. We look after them, greet them with a smile, and make sure they have a great experience.”
Because of this, stepping through the club doors is like becoming part of one big happy Greek family.
Calling all seafood lovers, March is the month to remember. To celebrate Bluff Oyster season, The Athens Yacht Club will again be hosting a Bottomless Bluff Oyster and Champagne event. Definitely one to put in your calendar.
Open seven nights from 5pm until late, bookings are essential so don’t delay and book your table today.
www.athensyachtclub.co.nz
