Apllada Restaurant brings a fresh take on Greek food to Hamilton
- Michael Kras
- 11 Jul 2022
A new hidden gem restaurant in Hamilton is already garnering plenty of buzz for its fresh, flavourful, and unique menu of Greek fusion dishes.
Apllada Restaurant recently opened up shop at 635 King Street East under the stewardship of owner and chef Christina Karunu, who spent many years in the restaurant industry with former ventures like Christina’s Restaurant and Rose Villa Restaurant in Niagara Falls.
Having lived in Hamilton since 2005, Karunu stepped away from hospitality for a number of years to focus on raising her kids; but she was inspired to get back to it and open her own restaurant here in town after feeling like something was missing in Hamilton’s existing Greek food scene.
“Greek food is not just street food like gyros and souvlaki; it’s so much more,” says Karunu, whose aim with Apllada is to introduce Hamilton to some of the less common pockets of Greek cuisine.
“I wanted to bring all the flavors of Greece to the table and mix it up a bit with all the flavors of the world; because deep down, all cuisines have similarities.”
The story behind its location almost feels like fate. For years, Karunu would shop regularly at Aristos Greek Bakery and was repeatedly drawn to the restaurant space right next door; a space that most recently held Mississippi Queen Foods. When that restaurant eventually vacated in 2021, Karunu was quick to jump on it to begin bringing the concept for Apllada to life.
Having Aristos and Apllada as neighbours makes harmonious sense; in fact, the two small businesses have developed a strong friendship, and the bakery even provides Apllada with the sweets and desserts that adorn their menu.
Speaking of Apllada’s menu, it’s stacked with plenty of Greek dishes you won’t easily find at other restaurants in Hamilton. That’s because Karunu has made a concerted effort to craft a range of dishes that offer unique takes on Greek cuisine, alongside traditional dishes that may be less well known.
Some of those more atypical Greek dishes include things like skepasti, a popular Greek sandwich; and revithada, a hearty and flavourful baked chickpea stew. Karunu says that no other Greek restaurant in Hamilton currently offers these dishes, making Apllada pretty much the only place you can get your hands on them locally.
Adding to the homey, authentic feel of Karunu’s food is that she makes everything in house from scratch, using hand-picked ingredients that are locally sourced when possible. Sauces, dips, pies, and even fresh baguettes are handmade daily.
Accessibility also plays a big role here. The prices at Apllada are pleasingly reasonable, and Karunu has ensured that the menu has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, meaning pretty much any guest has a rich amount of choice for their meal.
As time goes on, Karunu will take a dynamic and ever-changing approach to her menu by adding more and more dishes, from Greek-style pastas to soups to seafood plates and beyond. The restaurateur is quick to express her passion for showcasing underappreciated and lesser known dishes, and her pride in getting to do it in the city she calls home.
“I love the people of Hamilton; I was not born in Hamilton but I feel a sense of belonging,” says Karunu. “It’s a growing foodie community with different cultures merging together. We are happy to be part of this community.”
Visit Apllada Greek Fusion Restaurant at 635 King Street East in Hamilton. Check out their website here, and follow them on social media.
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