Kerasma, Newtown

I've walked past Kerasma in Newtown several times without really knowing what sort of restaurant it is. It's not a Greek Restaurant, they serve up food from Cyprus. Yes, Cyprus is a different country. The name is exotic and means "the offering". So let's see what's on offer then from Kerasma.

Kerasma is located in King St, Newtown. I dine here with ST whom is Greek and would be more familiar with Cypriot food. We start off with sparkling Chardonnay which is delicious, light and refreshing (bottle, $38) which I thought was very reasonably priced.

Their owner Peter Michael is of Cypriot descent and proudly has an authentic menu. He describes Cypriot food as a melting pot of Greek, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, European mixtures full of combined flavours.

Peter Michael has a stellar career in managing big venues in the GPO. He now proudly invests everything into Kerasma. I tell him I wouldn't have guessed Cypriot cuisine from the name. 

We start off with the house made haloumi ($12.50). The salty cheese is delicious and is well matched with the tomato and parsley and lemon. I absolutely love haloumi and would recommend this dish.

Potato lovers must also order the "Patates Antinahtes" which is cracked fried chat potatoes de-glazed with red wine, coriander and fresh herbs ($12.50). I am loving the coriander seeds in this dish. 

In an effort to expand our horizons, my work colleague also suggests ordering the Sheftalies ($14.50) which is house made signature Cypriot dish. It's a pork minced sausage without skin. My work colleague ST tells me this is perfectly cooked, not dry at all and really delicious. 

Now to the mains!!! Peter suggests one of the most delicious and authentic dishes is the Afelia pork fillet. It's served up in a red wine and coriander cooked over charcoal with bulgur wheat and egg noodle pilaf with a side of yoghurt ($29). It's the size of a main but is quite easily shared. I really like this dish and I love the little crunchy noodle bits that add to the moist and perfectly cooked pork.

My favourite main is the chicken ($32)  which has a really complicated and long name of "Kotopoulo Me Bizelia Kai Anginares". It's a half chicken cooked over charcoal with fresh peas, artichokes and tomato. This dish is so homely and so tasty.

Finally there is the Ofto Kleftiko ($35) which is a lamb shoulder spiced Kithreotiko style with potatoes and tzatziki. ST really loves the lamb dish. I am so full by this stage but I still enjoy a bit of lamb as well.

Dessert time calls for some coffee?

No meal is complete without the delicious Loukoumades ($12) which is a honey sugar syrup with pistachio dessert. It's basically a donut but is so amazingly tasty. A MUST ORDER.The loukoumades is soft little pillows of heaven. I have more than my fair share of this dish and am sooo happy.

Summary: Kerasma is such a homely and authentic restaurant. It's perfect for an intimate date or group catch up. The highlights for me are the haloumi, Afelia pork and chicken. The dessert is a MUST order. 

Price: $50ish per person

Location: 324A King St, Newtown (right near Newtown Station.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11:30am to 11pm (10pm on Sundays)

Drinks were independently paid for. Weekend Food Escapes dined as guests of Kerasma. All words, photos and opinions are my own.