Greek residency runs from 27th February to 31st March at Bar Yarra
George Calombaris will take over the kitchen at Bar Yarra at Ovolo Melbourne from 27th February to 31st March for the venue’s first chef residency. The pop-up, titled Auto Greek, draws on Calombaris’ recent trip to Athens and focuses on contemporary dishes from Greece’s emerging dining culture.
Calombaris said, “The term ‘Auto’ comes from the Greek word for ‘always on’, and represents one of my favourite things about Greek hospitality: it never falters. Bar Yarra is the perfect home for the pop-up – a genuine local that people can drop into at any point of the day and for whatever they need, whether a quick coffee, a long lunch, or an apero that turns into dinner.”
The all-day menu centres on simple and accessible plates, with many dishes priced under $30. As a result, the offering aims to encourage repeat visits from South Yarra locals. Plates include herb-led salads with salty cheeses and a selection of items cooked over Bar Yarra’s custom charcoal grill.
Signature dishes include the ‘Gyros’ Tuna tylixto souva with yoghurt and white onion. In addition, the menu features devilled egg avgolemono with crispy chicken skin, pasticcio with braised kangaroo tail, chicken paidakia ordered half or whole, and Polítiki salata dressed with raisins, olives, garlic and vinegar.
Guests can select an $80 per person ‘Feed Me’ menu to explore the range in full. Alternatively, diners can begin with Greek caviar and tarama served on mini pitas. Morning service includes sesame-studded koulouria, yoghurt with walnuts and honey, and a Big Greek Breakfast.
Coffee options span creamy Greek frappes and ‘Old School Greek Coffee’ brewed in a traditional briki. Meanwhile, the drinks list curated by Bar Yarra Restaurant Manager Alex McLennan highlights Greek producers and Hellenic flavours. Cocktails feature spirits such as Metaxa and Tsipouro.
Drinks and accommodation package
A Mediterranean Highball made with Otto’s vermouth from Athens, Mediterranean tonic, orange and rosemary pours for $12 during Apero Hour from 5pm to 7pm. Wines span Europe and Australia, with Assyrtiko and Xinomavro representing Greek varietals.
For overnight guests, the Greek Getaway package includes one night’s accommodation, the ‘Feed Me’ menu, a cocktail on arrival at dinner and breakfast for two the following morning. Rates start from $350 per night.
Christos Pavlidis, General Manager of Ovolo Melbourne, South Yarra, said, “We are thrilled to have our long-time friend George Calombaris at Bar Yarra for its first residency. With the excitement for Greek food in Australia ever-growing, we couldn’t think of a better fit than both the Auto Greek concept and George himself, for this first residency, as one of the first chefs who spearheaded Greek cuisine in this country.”
AutoGreek at Bar Yarra, Ovolo Melbourne details:
Address: 234 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC
Breakfast: Monday to Friday 7am to 10.30am, Saturday and Sunday 7am to 11am
All-day dining: 11am until late
