Universal has tapped the Greek connection, unveiling a new partnership with acclaimed chef Elvis Korsovitis for a classical dining experience in the transformed Riverview Hotel in Tempe.
The Kospetas family purchased the landmark suburban pub in late 2024, securing a monopoly in the precinct, following acquisition of the ‘burb’s only other pub, the Tempe Hotel, in 2021.
Executing a comprehensive, sympathetic makeover that focused on restoring the hotel’s heritage features, the family group rolled out the revised Riverview last October.
Building on the successes of their former Greek cuisine institution 1821, the hotel now has at its culinary heart STIX Hellenic Taverna, officially open this month.
Korsovitis is Greek-born and brings a passion for food said to have been moulded by a childhood filled with big feasts and bold flavours, based in authentic ingredients and traditional charcoal and rotisserie techniques.
He became co-founder of the very successful Greek street food brand Stix & Pita.
Continuing the Greek philosophy of Parea – sharing food with friends and family – while also taking in Australia’s multicultural food landscape, Korsovitis says he is bringing the authenticity and classical Greek cuisine into a “refined yet approachable” dining offering.
Designed for sharing, the menu showcases premium Australian produce through homely dishes and full flavours, emanating from charcoal and rotisserie-driven cooking, and notably free of seed oils. This includes slow-cooked meats and fresh seafood, served alongside vibrant salads and fresh bread made onsite, accompanied by decadent desserts.
The restaurant interior exudes modern Greek elegance, incorporating natural textures and crisp architectural lines. And reflecting its cultural background, the iconic Greek flag that featured in 1821 has been revived.
Korsovitis says the Taverna is everything they embraced at Stix & Pita, fostering sharing and socialising, just “reimagined in a beautiful space” within the hotel.
Naturally, the drinks menu complements the dining, bringing a curated Greek wine list and limited selection of premium Greek wines from the cellar, and signature cocktail inspired by the homeland’s iconic anise spirit, ouzo – a Greek-inspired Negroni and a Mediterranean-style Mojito.
Despite their proximity, the two Tempe hotels do not compete directly. While both are community-focused, the (other) Tempe Hotel focuses on being a traditional local spot, serving a large modern Australian-style food menu.
It is no accident the Greek family have invested in Tempe, given its deep significance to Hellenism in Sydney, with a strong population of Greek post-war settlers and honorary heritage. Its name derives from Tempe House, built around 1836, itself named after the famously beautiful Vale of Tempe valley depicted in ancient Greek geography and mythology.
The Kospetas family believe in celebrating Greek culture through food and hospitality, and just weeks into the new offering see it resonating with the locals.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says patriarch Jim Kospetas, whose passion brought the project to life.
“We are tweaking things every week to ensure we find the right balance between speed, quality, price and value.
“STIX Hellenic Taverna brings a new energy to the Riverview and we believe it will become an institution in Sydney dining.”
