Chris's at Beacon Point

Ph: 5237 6411; 280 Skenes Creek Rd, APOLLO BAY 3233 www.chriss.com.au

Mediterranean, $$$, ** for Ambience
Open 7 days 8-10am noon-2.30pm 6-10pm; Licensed, BYO bottled wine only, Corkage $7.50 bottle; AE DC MC V EFT
Chef Muhammad Ahmat (5-12-08) Owner Chris Talihmanidis (5-12-08)

Mietta's Review
Rebuilt after a devastating fire in 03, Chris's spectacular new two storey round glass tower has fantastic views over Apollo Bay. The food features classic European and Greek dishes and combinations of the two. This is elaborate cookiing, something that is reflected in the prices. It is always difficult to find good staff in the country and Chris's suffers from this at times. Chris also owns the casual Sea Grape in Apollo Bay.

Other published opinions

Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 14/20 "Chris's sits way above a coastline that draws tourists from all over, a bush eye with incomparable views. It sits apart from its coastal competition, too: the Great Ocean Road is strewn with the roadkill of cafe/bistro informality, yet Chris's maintains the standards of real dining"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14/20 "Jutting precipitously over Beacon Point with spectacular views to Apollo Bay, Chris Talihmanidis's Great Ocean Road institution is loveliest in the evening when the sun's gone down"

The Age Good Food Guide 2006 "Chris's loyal supporters still make the trek for their fill of blue ocean, tumbling green valleys, a nice glass of Victorian wine, and some thick straps of calamari with chilli-spiked feta"

Gourmet Traveller 2006 restaurant guide "Its spiralled shape inspired by the nautilus shell, Chris's iconic restaurant has risen from the ashes of its burnt-out predecessor, and is brilliantly designed for a bushland hillside setting with its magnificent vistas ofVictoria's surf coast. Chris Talihmanidis has been renowned for his welcoming hospitality, excellent food and discerning cellar"

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "There's nothing like azure waves and Apollo Bay's distant crescent strand to whet the appetite, and this setting goes some way towards justifying the high prices. Mediocre service doesn't help the cause. The menu is a mix of old favourites - Greek-style fish soup, local lobster - and trickier stuff."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Restaurant Guide "Chris Talihmanidis has long been a culinary legend on the surf coast, fanatical about the freshness of his seafood and the quality of meats, game and produce. The seasonal menus reveal his Greek heritage and experience with French cuisine."

The Age, A2, 21/2/04, Matt Preston,'Chris's restaurant on the Great Ocean Road has reopened after a fire about a year ago.The new building is all floor-to-ceiling windows, the two-tier dining area making the most of the views over Apollo Bay.Sadly the food, once without equal along Victoria's coast for its Greek simplicity, can now get a little tricksy.So stick to simpler dishes such as lobster, fish stew, abalone or the saganaki.Prices compare with Melbourne's swankiest salons so when the bill comes remember that the view is priceless.'"