Arcadia
Ipswich
ARCADIA IN IPSWICH HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
Arcadia is a cool dining oasis of minimalist Greek chic in an old corner store, found within an inner city Ipswich neighbourhood of grand old Queenslanders.
Décor of white brick walls, black Bentwood chairs, pale wood tables and polished concrete floors features in the high-ceilinged main room while out back is a cute little garden courtyard.
Charming setting aside, the food is the real drawcard here at Arcadia, where traditional Greek cuisine is brought into the 21st century, with a fresh, creative twist.
The modern Hellenic menu is divided into Meze, Grill, Oven, Sides and Glyka (sweets) and dishes are good to enjoy solo or to share.
Meze choices, all of which are delicious, include Dolmades, Leek and Cheese Pie, Marinated Olives, Calamari, Halloumi and Saganaki Cheese (grilled hard cheese with Greek honey and black sesame seeds). Can’t decide? Then go for the Mezethes Platter of cold-hot appetizers, including melt-in-the-mouth calamari, Greek sausage, dolmades, tiropita, dips and pita bread.
From the Grill there’s Chicken Souvlakia, Swordfish or Pork Gyros or the highly recommended Xifios (swordfish skewers with green bean yahni and skordalia).
Out of the Oven comes Moussaka, Chicken Kleftiko (roast chicken thigh, Dutch carrots, celery, potatoes, feta and consommé) and Yemista (stuffed peppers with tomato salsa and grated Kefalotyri cheese) as well as the must try Seafood Pie ( deconstructed creation of light-as-a-feather pastry, calamari, salmon, prawns, mustard cream and cheese triangle) and Ouzo Prawns tossed in tomato salsa.
To accompany there are sides of Lemon Patatas, Olive and Herb Loaf, Greek Slaw, Horta (mixed greens with olive oil and lemon) and Green Beans Yahni (green beans, tomato, onion, garlic and olive oil).
Save room for Glyka (Sweets), which include Baklava, Rizogalo (Greek rice pudding), Bougatsa (filo pastry triangle with semolina custard and syrup and the simply divine Grecian Delight Pannacotta, that alone warrants a trip from Brisbane: rose and Pistachio Brittle topped with Persian fairy floss.
Then finish with a Greek Frappe or traditional coffee.
Drinks-wise, Arcadia offers a small curated selection of Greek red, white and sparkling wine along with a handful of boutique Australian wines.
Beer drinkers can chose from Mythos Lager, Newstead Brewing Pale Ale and Volkan Blonde while spirit options include Ouzo, Mastitha, Tsipouro and Brandy.
On the non-alcoholic list there’s Pepsi, Lemonade, Sparking Orange or Mineral Water.
Need to know – Take-away is also available.
And, for more great things to see and do in Ipswich, visit Discover Ipswich HERE.
