Taste the Mediterranean on The Esplanade at Balmoral with Kazzi Beach Greek
A MOSMANITE and proud Greek-Australian wanted to share his heritage and love of food and wine and opened Kazzi Beach Greek in time for summer.
Mosman
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A FORMER investment banker and tech entrepreneur has brought his passion for Greek food to the shores of Balmoral.
Peter Papas, a proud Greek-Australian who has lived in Mosman for 20 years, wanted to share his heritage and his love of food and wine and opened Kazzi Beach Greek in time for summer.
Mr Papas even used an old, black-and-white family photograph on the menus and coffee cups, which shows his grandmother as a child, to pay homage to his heritage.
Kazzi, a cafe eatery, is at 11A The Esplanade and took over the space formerly occupied by Italian cafe Bertoni’s.
The venue has been transformed into a Greek islands-inspired destination and features whitewashed interiors and alfresco dining.
Greek-Cypriot Valentino Michailidis (dubbed the “Greek George Clooney”) manages the cafe while Dan Horne, formerly of Bertoni’s, is the barista.
Mr Papas said the name for his cafe came from his ancestral heritage from the Greek island of Kastellorizo; hence, “Kazzi”.
“The last ‘rock’ in the Dodecanese island group has a rich history of traditional Greek fare,” he said.
“The island’s Australian links are significant because the majority of Australia’s first Greek immigrants hailed from this secluded Hellenic hideaway.”
Kazzi’s fare is “beach Greek”: the very kind of street style, Mediterranean food found along Aegean shores.
Takeaway is popular; beachgoers and even boaters enjoy offerings such as lamb, pork, chicken and fish souvlaki wraps, and Mediterranean salads and dips.
Other crowd favourites include meat platters. Kazzi also serves breakfast.
Mr Papas said customers had told him that Kazzi had filled a hungry gap in the local food scene.
“I have spent 20 years looking at the shores of Balmoral and like so many fellow residents, I feel like I could be in any part of the Mediterranean,” he said.
“I think there’s been a lack of choice for eating out in Mosman and particularly, by the beach.
“So, I felt that the beach and surrounds lent themselves perfectly to this type of offering.”
Mr Papas said the area was a natural environment for a Greek taverna-style venue.
“Kazzi offers an entirely new experience between traditional cafes and high-end restaurants,” he said.
“That’s what sets it apart: it’s casual, family-style dining and takeaway, priced accordingly.
“Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.”
Kazzi is open 7am to 4pm daily, and in the summer it is also open Thursday to Sunday evenings until 10pm. Visit facebook.com/KazziBeachGreek for details.