Where a Greek restaurant owner eats when he’s in Athens
Jonathan Barthelmess, the top chef behind Sydney’s The Apollo, reveals his favourite spots for dining and drinks in the Greek capital. From the upcoming summer issue out on October 12.
Hotel Grande Bretagne with a view to the Acropolis.
I grew up in Australia not even realising I was Greek. I knew we had Greek heritage, and I loved going to my Greek grandmother’s home, but I didn’t understand the language because my parents wanted to embrace an Australian life rather than a Greek one.
Once I trained as a chef, though, I realised how much I loved Greek food. The flavours, the way of eating, the balance of acidity, oil, honey and oregano – those basic things had already defined my palate.
