Medusa, The Restaurant: For my money this is the best Greek restaurant in Sydney. Peter Koutsopoulos, the owner, and his wife are real professionals – now ably assisted by their charming daughter. When Allianz expanded its building they tore down Peter’s longstanding Darling’s Café. Peter negotiated a new lease in the new extension and created an elegant Greek restaurant with both inside and outdoor dining. The Greek food here is Greek in origin but fine dining in execution.
The Menu
All of the Greek favourites are here – mezze plates, souvlaki, moussaka and calamari. Also halloumi, saganaki, lamb patties etc, not to forget the lamb shoulder and lamb cutlets. There is always fresh swordfish and usually a baby snapper served whole.
The preparation and presentation are first class. Service is attentive. Peter is amiable and chatty – he is the perfect host. Unflappable.
Starter
A cool Mythos beer to start and some grilled scallops. A plate of seared calamari to share.
A fresh Greek salad of tomato, lettuce, cucumber, Kalamata olives, fetta and oregano to cleanse the palate.
We had no dips or pita this time, but they are all good. The taramosalata and dolmades are fresh.
Main Course
Moussaka – lamb (though the vegetarian is excellent). The Medusa moussaka is wonderful, oven baked layers of potato, eggplant, lamb mince spiced with cinnamon and cloves topped with a thick layer of béchamel.
If you are in the mood for a vegetarian meal, the oven baked whole tomato and capsicums stuffed with herb rice, sultana mix is also worthy of a recommendation. They also do an excellent baked eggplant filled with cauliflower, mushroom, walnut ragu, topped with almond vegan béchamel.
On this occasion I opted for the lamb chops. Juicy lamb chops with the bone on (crown roast style) surrounded by lemon potatoes. Of course the New England roast lamb shoulder is what most carnivores order. Slow cooked lamb falling off the bone – delicious.
Don’t forget the whole grilled snapper with Medusa chips!
Dessert
We shared some baklava which was excellent, but Peter also has a range of other interesting desserts including coconut ravani – a moist Greek cake with coconut & lime syrup, served with poached berries, Chantilly cream & Greek Ouzo ice cream and watermelon sorbet – on frosted almonds and orange segments.
Wine
There is a good selection of wines at competitive prices. My favourite is the Wirra Wirra Lost Watch Riesling, which Peter always has available, even if Wirra Wirra themselves are sold out.
The Review – 4 Stars
This is Greek cuisine done to perfection. My wife and I travel to Greece regularly. You will have to travel far and wide to find a fining dining Greek restaurant to match Medusa.
A restaurant is not just good food, it is the ambience as well – when you leave, you want to feel that you have had an enjoyable time. With Peter it feels like you are dining with an amiable good humoured relative.
It is a very popular spot, for obvious reasons. Booking is essential.
MEDUSA
2 Market Street, Sydney NSW
(02) 9267 0799
https://www.medusagreektaverna.com.au/
