One of life’s greatest gifts is a friend with Greek heritage. Someone who knows how to roll a cracking dolmade, whose family get-togethers are guaranteed to have an entire lamb on a spit and who agrees that fried cheese is a valid food group. For those of us not lucky enough to have a Hellenic pal (or for those of us who have invited ourselves over for dinner one too many times) there is Ergon.
The first store abroad for this family business from Thessaloniki, the restaurant/deli in Picton Place uses its space cleverly. Benches and tables are nestled cosily together with ingenious touches like detachable baskets for bread to ensure sides don’t encroach on precious eating space.
Broken up into seven separate sections, the menu is best shared to allow you to try something from each. Or in our case many things. The Gruyere from the ‘Bites’ selection must be tried to be believed. A crunchy coating courtesy of carob flour, oats and poppy seeds with rose petals on top, it is sweet and savory perfection. The grilled squid is soft and flavorsome and will have you scraping up every last drop of the black tzatziki, tomato marmalade and spicy oil it comes with.
While it is easy to get overwhelmed when you get to the ‘Meat’ section, there is one decision that is a no-brainer. The Lamb shank which comes served with a pot of orzo pasta is tender, hearty and would have made us smash our plates on the floor in celebration if we weren’t so busy licking them. Each of the ‘Desserts’ (yes we may have tried more than one) were stellar and vindicated the sharing mentality which is encouraged here.
From the food to the service, Ergon is genuine in every aspect and will make you wonder why you didn’t give your Greek mate a night off cooking earlier.
1 Picton Place, London, W1U1BP
www.ergonproducts.gr