Melbourne Storm Can’t Dampen Greek Feast at Beach Coma

Stormy Seas and Sizzling Souvlaki: A Melbourne Culinary Adventure

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – What began as an anticipated evening of scenic dining by the sea quickly transformed into an unexpected battle against the elements for a food vlogger this week. Despite Melbourne’s notorious weather unleashing a ferocious storm, the culinary experience at St. Kilda’s Beach Coma Restaurant offered a surprisingly robust Greek-inspired meal, proving that even tempestuous conditions can’t entirely spoil a good plate of food.

An Unforeseen Turn in the Weather

The vlogger, initially seeking to capture the picturesque St. Kilda beachfront and a tranquil sunset, found their plans dramatically altered by a sudden and severe storm. “Tonight I’m in Melbourne. I’ve actually come down to the beach here in St. Kilda. And I was hoping to be able to have some fantastic views right next to the water watching the world go by. But unfortunately the weather has changed and it’s become really windy,” the vlogger recounted. The restaurant, recognizing the harsh conditions, had deployed protective screens, creating an indoor sanctuary from the gale-force winds and crashing waves outside. “So I’m in this restaurant. They pulled down these screens. So you can see that we’ve got some plastic here. You can see the waves hopefully that they’re crashing in now. There’s lots and lots of wind.” While the intended scenic backdrop was lost, the focus shifted to the restaurant’s offerings, particularly its Greek-inspired menu, a nod to Melbourne’s significant Greek diaspora.

Beach Coma: A Culinary Haven

Beach Coma Restaurant, described as “one of the best places to come and eat” in the area, boasts a dual identity as both a daytime cafe serving cakes and snacks and an evening dining establishment. Its appeal lies partly in its location and partly in its culinary direction. “Now the reason why this place is interesting is because Melbourne’s got one of the biggest Greek communities outside of Greece and it this place is Greek inspired,” the vlogger explained. The menu presented a wide array of options, from burgers and pasta to pizzas and sharing plates, but the vlogger was specifically drawn to the more traditional Greek selections.

A Taste of Greece: Starters and Surprises

The culinary journey began with the starters. The vlogger opted for ‘Saganaki,’ described as grilled cheese with lemon and honey, and a ‘Trio of Dips’ served with pita bread. The saganaki, a dish the vlogger had not tried before, presented an unusual texture. “It looks like It almost looks like a dessert, but it’s for starters. It was definitely on the starter menu. So, it’s quite flat. Looks very interesting. Let’s see what it tastes like. Looks very cheesy. Yeah, very cheesy. Tastes a bit like grilled cheese with honey on it and a bit of lemon, obviously.” While acknowledging its uniqueness, the vlogger found it “quite nice. Interesting. Not like anything I’ve had before.”

The ‘Trio of Dips’ offered a more familiar, yet equally satisfying, experience. The selection included baba ganoush (eggplant dip), taramasalata (cod roe dip), and tzatziki. “I’ll go with the fish one first. I’m not a massive cod roe fish fan, but I’ll get a massive portion on there. Thankfully, it’s not too fishy. In fact, it doesn’t taste taste fishy at all. Tastes sweet. Tastes a bit like hummus. You wouldn’t know there’s any fish in that at all if you hadn’t told me,” the vlogger noted about the taramasalata. The baba ganoush was described as “really tasty” with a hint of garlic, while the tzatziki was a personal favorite, praised for being “nice, light, fresh.” The accompanying pita bread was also commended for being “really nicely cooked. Nice and thin, warm.”

The Main Event: A Generous Souvlaki

For the main course, the vlogger chose souvlaki, a dish celebrated as quintessential Greek street food. “And sulaki, it’s basically Greek street food. It’s meat that’s been cooked on a skewer that’s served with a pita bread um and usually marinated in some sort of u thing. It’s been around in Greece for hundreds, possibly thousands of years.” The presentation was substantial: “The sulaki has now turned up and it is absolutely massive. To say the portions in this place are huge.” The dish featured a skewer laden with chicken pieces, accompanied by feta cheese, more pita bread, tzatziki, and a side of sweet potato wedges. The chicken was lauded for its tenderness and flavor infusion. “Wow. Really hot. It’s very tasty though. That chicken’s really absorbed all of those spices. So, it’s it’s sort of infused into the meat itself. But in importantly, it’s really soft inside.” The sweet potato wedges also received praise for their crispy exterior and soft interior.

Sweet Endings: A Playful and Classic Dessert

The dessert menu provided two distinct choices, reflecting both classic pastry and playful novelty. The vlogger selected a Lemon Meringue and a ‘Cookie Monster Fuzzy Buddy’ cupcake, catering to both sophisticated palates and a sense of fun. The Cookie Monster cupcake, though surprisingly firm on the outside due to a crispy coating, was described as having a “predominant really strong vanilla flavor” and being “really nicely cooked. Really good. I like that. I just think it’s great fun.” The Lemon Meringue was equally impressive, with well-executed meringue peaks and a balanced tartness. “Really good. Pastry is really nice, crisp, thin, good amount of lemon. Really strong flavor. The lemon merang is not too overpowering. That’s excellent. Had a lot of lemon meringue so far. That’s right up there.”

Final Verdict and Value

Despite the storm obscuring the intended scenic views, the vlogger offered a comprehensive assessment of Beach Coma. The portions were consistently noted as being exceptionally generous, a characteristic the vlogger observed as common across Australia, likening them to “Americanized portions.” The total bill, including additional salads for the crew, came to $197.50 AUD, roughly £100, which was deemed “not bad” considering the volume of food. The overall dining experience was rated 7 out of 10. While the food was described as “pretty decent for a beachside restaurant,” the vlogger concluded, “I think I’d probably get that. Um to have two big portions like this. Absolutely massive.” However, when pressed for a return visit, the vlogger expressed reservations: “But it was decent. It was okay. If you’re coming to St Kilda, definitely check it out. Got some great cakes and things in the cafe. So, thank you very much for watching this video all the way through to the end.” The lost ambiance due to the weather was a key factor in the final score, highlighting the integral role of setting in the overall dining experience.

Looking Ahead

As the storm subsided, the experience at Beach Coma served as a testament to resilient dining in the face of adversity. While the restaurant may not have reached the highest culinary echelons for the vlogger, its substantial portions, decent flavors, and unique offerings provided a memorable meal. Future visitors to St. Kilda might find Beach Coma a reliable choice, particularly if seeking hearty portions and a casual atmosphere, though perhaps with a keen eye on the weather forecast for the full seaside experience.

Source: I Ate Greek Food In A Melbourne Storm… (YouTube)