Review: Visit Hera's Greek night for a party that Dionysus would approve of
Visit Hera’s Greek night for a celebration Dionysus would approve of!
Plate smashing, feta gin, and traditional dancers were on the menu at Hera’s Greek Night in Stratford on Friday night.
In fact, on the final Friday of every month, the Greek restaurant is transformed into the streets of Athens for a celebration that Dionysus would be proud of.
If the promise of Greek goddess dancers, plate smashing and traditional music isn’t enough to put you in the mood for a celebration, the free-flowing wine and delicious food will.
The restaurant, located a short walk from Stratford International, is impressive and sleek, with subtle nods to Greek influences.
The staff are warm, welcoming, and spirited, putting you in the mood to drink, dine and dance - the Greek way! Even the cocktails had incredible names that nod to Mythology such as the Muses’ Kiss and Helen of Spice.
The menu is extensive, featuring classic Mediterranean dishes such as saganaki, moussaka, and tzatziki alongside grilled meats and pastas.
On Greek Night, there’s a set menu option at £70 per head, which includes nibbles, starters, mains (with a side for the table), desserts and a cocktail - which I think is excellent value.
We started our Greek feast with dips, garlic bread and fried courgette. The selection was delectable and truly sent me back to my nights in Corfu.
Next up were the starters, feta saganaki drizzled with honey and beef meatballs with tzatziki. The saganaki was tremendous, featuring crispy, buttery angel hair pastry and a tangy, melted cheese interior, all topped with a sweet honey drizzle.
The meatballs weren’t a standout; the texture was unexpectedly soft, and the taste bordered on overly herbaceous - but this is probably a matter of personal preference.
For mains we opted for the moussaka (a Greek favourite) and the filet steak. We ordered a variety of sides, which included a Greek salad, feta fries, and chargrilled broccoli.
Both mains were exceptional; the steak was supple and tender, lightly pink, served alongside flaky sea salt (sadly not straight from the Ionian Sea) and an array of sides, such as garlic potatoes and charred peppers.
The moussaka was creamy, flavourful and soft. It tasted like nutmeg, aubergine and summer nights looking out over the Med.
By this point, we were more stuffed than vine leaves, so we welcomed a break in the form of Greek dancers and musicians.
We were immediately transported by the sounds of Santorini, and marvelled at some very talented Greek dancers (Stavros Flatley, who?), who got diners up off their seats. We were shocked when they came over to our table and out poured a very British accent.
A traditional Greek plate-smashing ceremony followed the performances! Opa! Outside diners were invited to smash plates and dance around Hera’s beautiful new terrace. This was the highlight of the night.
The Greek night entertainment changes each month to keep diners coming back for more. Sometimes, they have dancers dressed as Greek goddesses, and on other nights, they feature saxophonists or musicians.
After we covered the floor in shattered plates, we returned to our table for desserts. Two divinely sweet Greek puddings featuring custards - a clever nod to Ambrosia, the food of the gods.
I can’t shout enough about how great our night was, from the feta gin and yoghurt cocktail to the familiar sounds of Zorba the Greek, which filled my soul with complete, unfettered joy.
There’s something about the Greek way of life that we could all embrace a little more, and Hera offers that in spades (hades!) from HUGE portion sizes to long, drawn-out dinners and gleeful dances - this is as close as you can get to a Mediterranean holiday without boarding a plane.
There’s a reason why Conde Nast Traveller, Secret London and now, London World are all raving about Hera’s Greek Night - it’s good, wholesome fun at a great price.
The couple on the table next to us said it best: ‘We just came out for a quiet dinner and we’ve ended up having an amazing night out.’
The next Greek night will take place on Friday, 31st October.