A La Grecque

For two generations, summer down the coast has been identified with a certain Greek man as much as it has with sand, sea and holidays. Kosta Talimanidis has had a culinary presence on the surf coast for 36 years, but also a physical one - often casually checking in with customers and staff (who are typically sunny and professional). You wouldn't holiday on this stretch of coast without dining at this modern homestead with front lawn for frolicking families. The menu is 'in the Greek way', bedded in uncomplicated techniques and embellished with top ingredients and pairings. Share mezze such as a slice of kefalograviera topped with diced apple and almond; delicate pastry cigars filled with pea, mint and feta; and floured and fried calamari with a dusting of dukkah and scoop of creamy eggplant dip. Snapper fillet comes browned and sprinkled with green olives and parsley, dressed with good olive oil and zippy capers. It's part of what makes the Great Ocean Road great.