We came here because I had read about some nice desserts. We weren't disappointed.
I imagine that it would be hard to miss getting decent Greek food along this part of Lonsdale Street. Along this stretch, if a place isn't a Greek restaurant, it's a Greek cake shop. Or a Greek travel agent (you could get really good Greek food by going to Greece). Or a Greek video shop (you could at least rent movies that show good Greek food).
Antipodes isn't all that original when it comes to the menu or the atmosphere, but the food was good and the place was comfortable. The prices weren't bad either ($5 - $12 for Meze, $8 - $10 for entrees, and $12 - $17 for mains). There is a choice between sitting inside a cool, cavernous, bluestone-walled dining room and bar, or sitting outside under umbrellas on the footpath. Since Lonsdale street is a bit noisy, we opted to eat inside.
We started with the Spicy Sausages (pastourma, $6) and the Rokka Salad ($6.50, consisting of rocket lettuce with balsamic vinegar and kefalograviera cheese). Both were excellent - pastourma is one of my favourite sausages and this was a juicy, spicy, very more-ish example. For mains we split the Seafood Platter ($35 for two), which was predictable but generous and well prepared. I would have preferred some grilled fish to be included, as at some other restaurants, but this was still an enjoyable plate of shellfish, calamari and octopus.
Dave drank a glass of Richmond Grove Cabernet Merlot with his meal, and I had a glass of Boutari Santorini. Of course we don't know enough to comment on the wine, only that we finished it (and mine was Greek, and white).
We had to have dessert of course. We both opted for the Mi-Quis, which is essentially a chocolate souffle, much like those we have tried elsewhere. This one wasn't quite ethereal, but for the price ($7.50) it was delicious and great value.
Service was excellent, passing the auto-water-refill test. And you know what? For the life of me, I can't remember what the toilets were like. I'm going to have to start writing these reviews in a more timely manner. Sorry!
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Dave's summary: "Merry Christmas!"
Probability that we will return: 36 / 42
Note that the probability rating is affected by the fact that there are hundreds of places to eat around here.