Mastic Food & Wine

Located at 151 Martin Street, Brighton, and hidden unassumingly within the local neighbourhood, is Bayside’s go-to for drinks and dining. Mastic Food & Wine has brought tasteful Mediterranean cuisine to the south of the city, all the while exuding the aura and celebrating the spirit of the CBD’s laneway restaurants. Behind the luxurious, floating drapery which marks the entrance to the venue exists a space that achieves a distinctly effortless sophistication. The vibration is simultaneously local and worldly, familiar and exotic. Mastic Food & Wine is distinctly and essentially Melbourne in its laid-back, highly attuned and thoughtful approach to creating a top-notch, memorable eating-and-drinking experience. In the words of owners Mary and Bill Solos, “We are modern Melbourne with Greek flavour and a love for entertaining. We welcome our guests with warmth and attentiveness to create a unique hospitality experience that comes straight from our heart. Yassas.”

Inherent in this welcome message is the fact that Mastic Food & Wine has created its own innovative niche with Greek-inspired dining that is less taverna and more the elegant, fresher side of modern Mediterranean cuisine. The kitchen focusses on celebrating the true flavours of the produce, and each dish is approached with simplicity and grace. From the Ocean Plate to the delicately composed chargrills, all of the kitchen’s creations have been imbued with a gentle, yet confident, touch. A tasteful balance is prioritised, providing the ultimate congruence to a refined and casual dining environment. The beginning of your culinary adventure might include white taramasalata and olive crumble and/or melitzanosalata with smoked eggplant, tomato and chilli relish. Share plates are also available. Consider house-cured Port Lincoln sardines with chargrilled pita and green harissa; a lobster roll held together by a brioche bun, Thousand Island dressing and watercress; a jar of house-preserved yellow fin tuna served with mini pita breads, yoghurt tartare and pickled chilli; and the nutrient-dense free-range chicken livers pan-fried with caramelised onion, Metaxa, orange and cumin. If your appetite demands something a bit more substantial, crumbed Tasmanian garfish garnished with yoghurt tartare, shoestring fries and lemon and a 12-hour Western Plains lamb shoulder, rosemary, garlic, honey, lemon are also available – and highly recommended. Say goodnight with the Chios Island Mastic pannacotta (champagne strawberries, fennel meringue), and your sweet tooth will have no choice but to thank you.

For the more adventuresome members of the audience, the team at Mastic Food & Wine offers the Chef’s Table, a private dining experience providing a maximum of 18 exclusive seats for one truly memorable night. The energy and atmosphere of the Chef’s Table is felt prior to your party entering the venue. You and your special guests will be gifted a pre-dinner playlist curated by the Mastic Music Director, inspiring the mood of the night-to-come. The dinner officially commences with the ultimate multi-course menu selections. This is a veritable feast of the Head Chef’s choices, offering a one-of-a-kind menu that has been curated specifically for your special evening and caters to your party’s preferred tastes and flavours. There is a seating minimum of 12 and maximum, to reiterate, of 18. The Chef’s Table is available Tuesday to Saturday nights, from 5-11pm, and Friday/Saturday lunch, from noon-4pm.

Mastic also caters for more general private events, events that wish to blanket themselves with the overall hospitality provider’s ethos – a seasonal Mediterranean menu, a moreish drinks list and a relaxed atmosphere. The location has a space to suit your needs, be it an intimate dining evening with friends or colleagues, a light-hearted cocktail party or an entire venue celebration. Regardless of your intentions, the events team will take the requisite time to understand and meet your each and every need. Maximum capacity for private events is 60 seated or 80 standing. If you are considering a private event, ensure its success with experienced and caring planners whose primary goal is to bring your celebratory dreams to fruition. Go Melbourne. Go Greek. Go Mastic.