David Tsirekas to open Homer on Homer in Earlwood

If Earlwood was a listed food stock, analysts would have it marked as a "buy", with news a previously hatted Sydney chef is involved in a restaurant opening there next month.

David Tsirekas, who made his name at Petersham's Perama restaurant, departed 1821 in the city to set up Avli in Chicago, which just picked up a Michelin Bib Gourmands listing.

Now back in Australia, Tsirekas is opening Homer on Homer with childhood friend Stacey Giaprakas next door to Earlwood Wines on Homer Street.

"Homer travelled the Med in The Iliad, [so] we'll be doing that but with food rooted in Greek," Tsirekas says of the venue's name.

The suburb, already home to detour-worthy Greek deli and pastry goods, is also on the radar of another high-profile chef who has been scouting sites in the area.

Homer on Homer's menu will shun the deep-fryer, leaning instead on food cooked over charcoal and wood, slow cooking, hand-rolled filo and lots of vegetable dishes.

"Villagey, peasant style-food," the chef explains. Which is also a subtle nod to his relationship with Giaprakas (co-owner of Marrickville's Bespoke and Grind) whose parents are from the village in Greece next to his own.

"I'm calling this my biography … memories of gatherings of our families, a home away from home and everything made by hand," says Giaprakas, who is driving the project.

"I love vintage stuff so when I saw the build date on the face of the building, which says 1926 Earlwood Garage, I was very excited." So are we.