The Star of Greece
Last week Doug Govan and Nikki Seymour-Smith dialled up one of the most magnificent sunsets I’ve seen, on the west coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. We were to dine with them at their famed but humble cliff-top restaurant, Star of Greece, in Wirrina Marina. Don’t go expecting Greek food – the restaurant is named after a boat that sank in the waters in 1888 – but do go expecting an experience.
Schmooze on the deck with a glass of something local – the cellar is impressive – and drink in the ocean views while enjoying Port Willunga salt and pepper squid plucked from the pristine waters below. The dining room is charming in a friendly cottagey way, unpretentious, yes, but stylish nonetheless, and the service friendly and faultless. Seafood is the star – poached snapper, blue swimmer crab and Kangaroo Island George Whiting were on offer the night I dined there – but the menu also features house made bread, oils and olives from McLaren Vale, and local lamb, beef and pork, and, got to mention the chunky hand cut chips with paprika salt and roasted garlic aioli. While those around me sipped and supped and lost themselves in conversation, I had seconds.