Thessaloniki Themed Dinner – a Recap

Last week I hosted another Greek Supper Club, this time I presented a menu inspired by the tastes of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city. The dinner took place once again at the historic Burroughes Building in downtown Toronto and I would like to once again thank the management team for sponsoring the dinner.

The wines for the evening were again selected by Kolonaki Group and all pairings came from a wonderful, picteresque Gerovassiliou winery, just outside of Thessaloniki.

This dinner was also part of Thessaloniki’s Food Festival and the city was kind enough to send a video and photos of old and new Thessaloniki. A great backdrop for the dinner. A big thank you to Spiros Pengas and Giorgos Bazmadelis of the Thessaloniki Tourist Dept.

Below are the dishes as they came out through the evening, beginning with passed appetizers, two starter courses, a main and finally dessert.

Bombidia from Thessaloniki – cumin & oregano scented spheres of tender ground meat

Bouyiourdi – a taverna favourite  (a fondue of Greek cheeses, tomatoes and peppers)

Melitzanopita with housemade phyllo (smoked eggplant, Feta, cheese filling)

Koulouria Thessaloniki – the sesame seed covered rings found on every street corner

First course was an arugula salad with a three-citrus dressing, Manouri cheese and grapes.

Second Course – Trahana with wild mushrooms, shaved Kefalograviera cheese

Main – Braised pork ‘krassato’ with prunes & Halkidiki green olives, tender leeks and potato/celery root puree

Dessert – Trigona Panoramatos with toasted almonds (phyllo triangles filled with creme patisserie)

Afterwards, I also served Greek coffee and a housemade strawberry liqueur as a digestif.Once again, I would like to thank Paula Costa of Dragons Kitchen for her help and support, my servers Paula, Laura, Thurka and Sangeeta. From Kolonaki Group, big thanks to Steve Kriaris and Kostas Rampanounis. A warm thanks to Deborah Peniuk for her photography.

Finally, I would like to thank Krinos Foods Canada for supporting my Greek Supper Club by furnishing many of the specialty Greek ingredients to help make this and many dinners authentic.

My next Greek Supper Club is set for Thursday, November 21 and the theme will be Politiki Kouzina…the aromas and tastes of Constantinople. Seats will be available soon!