Eleftheria Amanatidis certainly knows how to keep busy; she’s the co-owner of Yarraville’s Eleni’s Kitchen Bar, Jimmy’s Deli and Cakes by Thierry. Her new cookbook Ela na Fáme! is a homage to her family heritage with recipes that have been passed down for generations. She talks food, favourite wines and the best hangover cure you can find in Yarraville.
She spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Melbourne is special to me because I love to enjoy my days off roaming the city. Hungry? There’s always something good to eat. Shopping? Plenty of stores to explore for any occasion. Feel like walking and enjoying nature? You can walk through any park or garden and take in the beautiful views from wherever you are. And at the end of all that, if you’re too tired to go back home, why not stay in the city at any one of our fabulous hotels?
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
The Salmon Skin Salad at Koko at Crown Melbourne. Sounds simple, but it’s super fresh, crisp and I love the bite of wasabi in the dressing. Of course, always accompanied by premium tuna sashimi which is a delight.
FAVOURITE BAR
An extra dirty Vodka Martini. For me there’s no better place to enjoy a martini than The Apollo Inn. The service is always on point, I love the dimly lit vibe of the venue and you can always enjoy a quick drink before the theatre or dinner.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Champagne. It’s lavish, premium and who doesn’t love a good bottle of Champagne? There’s nothing better than good quality Champagne and we always make sure we share it at any special occasion.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Not to be biased, but the best hangover cure – something we can all agree on at Eleni’s and Jimmy’s – is the Katz Deli Tribute sandwich at Jimmy’s. There’s something about a good old fashioned toasted sandwich loaded with perfectly smoked Beef Pastrami and our famous Jimmy’s sauce that reenergises you for the day. Absolutely love it!
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
I really like visiting the Baxter Inn whenever I’m in Sydney. It’s got a great vibe about it, the atmosphere is always on point, and they have standout customer service. The diverse variety of beverages is impressive, and I love that it’s open till late, so no need to leave early.
OVERSEAS BAR
To Mpar (To Bar – @to.bar.athens) is a pretty cute and eccentric little bar just outside of Athens. The bar staff are well experienced, they serve up great cocktails, and it has a few little nooks and crannies to chill and hang out in. I love the chill vibe and atmosphere – it really encapsulates the mood of Athens.
FAVOURITE WINE
My favourite wine would have to be The Nico Lazaridi Cavalieri Assyrtiko. I love the fresh notes of honey and jasmine. You can really taste the delicious flavours of stone fruits, and it just pairs so beautifully with fresh seafood and even oven roasted vegetables. Perfect all rounder for a light dinner or even lunch.
FAVOURITE WINERY
My favourite winery is Chandon in the Yarra Valley – it’s as close as I’ve gotten to visiting Champagne in France. It’s such a beautiful winery. There’s always so much to try (and eat, of course). It is by far my favourite, I feel like it transports me to another place in time.
NEXT DESTINATION
My next travel destination would have to be Japan. It seems like the “IT” place to be at the moment and I love the food and culture. There’s so much to do and try and I couldn’t think of a more fun place to visit. Not only are there things to do and see, but there is also so much to try in the dining scene, and of course the shopping.
Why was it important for you to take over the family business?
I decided to take over and run our family business because I truly believe that I am the best fit to continue our family’s legacy. I take pride in what we do and I have always had a vested interest in what my grandparents did for us when we were growing up. If it weren’t for them we wouldn’t be here, and that’s why I take it upon myself to continue these traditions. If we don’t, who will.
What’s unique about your approach?
I think our approach is unique and special to us because we have kept it traditional. We haven’t modernised anything, our motto is everything about warm, hearty, traditional meals and this won’t ever change. It’s where my heart is and that’s what makes us different – we’re all about traditional flavours that warm the soul and come from generations of family that keeps our heart beating in Yarraville.
Why legacy is important?
Keeping the legacy going is important because if we don’t do this, generations and years of love and soul will forever be lost. A legacy as important as this can’t be lost because then we lose our values and the true meaning of who we really are. Food is not just ingredients slapped onto a plate – it’s years of teaching and soul, and this is where who we are comes into play.
