Greek-Australian restaurant Esti is opening in London's Shoreditch

Esti is the restaurant you must visit in London when you want to mix Greek dining and British produce with Australian hospitality.

One can enjoy such an experience at a new six-month residency at TT Liquor in the East London district of Shoreditch as Esti is bringing its blend of fire-cooked casual Greek food (with bonus Aussie influences) to the Orangery on the bar's first floor.

The name ‘esti’ is both an ancient Greek term that means ‘to do’ and a riff on ‘estiatorio’ (the Greek word for ‘restaurant’).

Kostas Vais, the founder, is bringing his Greek heritage along with food-and-beverage experiences (including The 3 Little Pigs souvlaki food truck) to the dining experience and is joined by head chef Sal Galasso, who has worked for over a decade in some of Australia’s best restaurants.

Galasso's resume includes Sydney’s Rockpool Bar & Grill.

Most fascinating is that some indigenous Australian herbs that have been sourced – finger lime, lemon myrtle and forest anise – which are extremely rare in Britain.

Lovers of fire-cooked food will be happy this is the main draw, and you’ll find the following on the menu.

• Octopus braised in spicy bush tomato sauce, served with green salad
• Twice-cooked charred lamb ribs, dressed with tzatziki and ‘desert dust’ (an Australian spice mix)
• Fish (Cornwall catch of the day) served with macadamia skordalia and garlic-spiked Greek dip
• Paperbark-smoked carrots with British honey and cumin
• Fried ‘osso bucco’ with cornflakes, feta, avocado and pickled onions
• Iced parfait with Australian lemon aspen berries, Cretan olive oil, sprinkled with Murray River salt

As you’d expect from TT Liquor, the drinks will be on point, with a bespoke cocktail menu available alongside a selection of beer and wine. And the good news is the fun may not have to end after six months, with esti planning to open a permanent restaurant in the autumn.

More about Esti:

Where is it? 17B Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AA

When? 12 March 2023 for six months

Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @esti.restaurant

READ MORE: Rare white tiger cub found abandoned near Athens zoo: "No one knows where it came from."