Avli by tashas brings a celebratory taste of Greece to Dubai starting from November 18th as the venue is set to launch its first-ever chef collaboration with the Athenian Saturday Lunch, alongside a special project named ‘Bakaliko.’ The Athenian Lunch will bring friends and family together on Saturdays to experience the true essence of Greek hospitality, while Bakaliko, staying true to its name, will reflect a traditional neighbourhood store filled with the flavours, scents, and colours of Greece. The Greek Bakaliko is a mini market for customers to purchase locally produced and sourced fresh dairy, eggs, jams, preserves, and other Greek staples. Both the Athenian Lunch and the Bakaliko will be available from 1 pm to 5 pm while the Athenian Lunch will be priced at AED 360.
The Athenian Lunch represents a landmark collaboration for Avli, as Head Chef, Vlassia Anagnostou, partners with the esteemed Greek Nomad Chef, Andreas Lagos, in a true meeting of the minds. Both chefs share a unified philosophy of delivering authentic Greek tastes, infused with genuine hospitality and the finest quality ingredients.
Set to redefine Dubai’s weekend dining culture, Avli’s first-ever chef collaboration invites guests to immerse themselves in the Athenian way of life, through an offering that reflects the rich tapestry of Greek living. The Athenian Lunch is a conscious divergence from the conventional party brunch scene, inviting guests to feast alongside friends, family, and loved ones over unhurried gatherings, memorable conversations, and special occasions.
Both chefs share a deep love for Greek produce and tradition, naturally driving them to curate a menu that embodies the heart and soul of Greece. After nine months of trials, tastings, and revisions, the team has finalised a wide selection of beloved dishes, offered both in a buffet and an à la carte menu.
The Athenian Lunch
The Athenian Lunch experience is a captivating journey that embraces recipes from Chef Vlassia’s childhood, Chef Lagos’ homeland, the island of Samos, as well as the Cyclades, and authentic Athenian dishes – the kind meant for sharing in generous family gatherings through the ages.
Reflecting the warmth of a traditional Greek family lunch, guests can expect an array of stations dedicated to homemade Greek products served close to the open kitchen.
Avli by tashas’ Head Chef, Chef Vlassia Anagnostou, commented on the launch of the Athenian Lunch, “Our partnership with Chef Lagos, driven by our shared cooking philosophy, has been a remarkable success. Our goal was to create an array of dishes that give a modern twist to traditional favourites, making sure that each plate evokes a sense of nostalgia. Why wait until Christmas to savour our beloved Melomakarona or Kourampiedes? The Athenian Lunch will bring the most cherished flavours to every table.”
Aside from the buffet section, an à la carte menu will feature 12 options from Eggs, Mains, Sides and Dessert and be available at guests’ discretion. These include Trahanas eggs, a traditional Greek grain and one of the oldest foods in the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the Carabineiros is grilled and served with coral lemon butter sauce. The à la carte dessert, the Avgofetes, is a decadent diversion from the lighter dishes on the menu. It is a Greek style French toast, tsoureki bread drenched in vanilla custard, stuffed with almond & pistachio paste, and rose essence infused milk syrup.
Speaking about this collaboration, Nomad Chef Andreas Lagos said, “My time working alongside Head Chef Vlassia and the team at Avli has been a truly welcoming and fulfilling experience. Our collaboration is a shared celebration of Greek hospitality and flavours, driven by a commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients. The Athenian Lunch is a testament to the authentic tastes of Greece, and we invite guests to savour the country’s most beloved tastes.”
Alongside the food and ambiance, the entertainment for the Saturday afternoon ritual includes a live band, The Supernovas, featuring a lead singer and 4 instruments. All these carefully curated Greek elements come together to craft the Athenian Lunch experience, both embodying and conveying the genuine essence of Greek hospitality.
Bakaliko by Head Chef Vlassia Anagnostou
Over the past fifteen years, Chef Vlassia noticed certain challenges in sourcing authentic Greek products in Dubai. This initial struggle sparked the idea of bringing the ‘Greek Bakaliko’ to Avli. So, when it came time to give life to Avli’s very own Bakaliko, Head Chef Vlassia was brimming with inspiration. To bring this vision to life, Chef Vlassia and her team created over 60 recipes for jams, preserves, pickles, salts, and chutneys. These have also been used across the Athenian Lunch menu and will also be available to purchase on Saturdays from 1 to 5 pm.
A shared celebration of Greek cuisine with base ingredients made in-house is the common thread that unites the Athenian Lunch and Bakaliko offerings. Join us for a new Saturday ritual at Avli’s Athenian Lunch starting on 18th November 2023.
For more information and reservations, please visit https://www.avlibytashas.com/saturday-lunch or @avlibytashas.
Location & Timings:
Unit C-01, Ground Floor, Gate Village Building 9, DIFC, Dubai, UAE
Saturday 2nd December & 16th December | 1-5pm
Price: AED 360 for the Athenian Lunch buffet (additional a la carte menu and drinks are priced separately)
