March 25 marks Greek Independence Day, a holiday which will be honoured by Greek chef Peter Conistis at his restaurant, Civic Dining.

Greek Independence Day, a national holiday in Greece, is celebrated by Greeks all over the world. In order to honour his Greek heritage, chef Peter Conistis has designed an enticing degustation incorporating dishes which comply with his unique modern Mediterranean style. His cuisine is considered Mediterranean-influenced by Conistis as his dishes are adaptations of or heavily influenced by traditional Greek dishes. For example, the first course of the degustation is Peter's take on Greek salad, which features sheep's milk fetta bavarois, cucumber jelly, tomato sorbet and candied olives.

Greek Independence Day falls on one of the holiest days for Greek Orthodox Christians, the Anunciation of the Theotokos. It was on this day that the archangel Gabriel informed Mary that she would bear a child. It was also on this day, in 1821, that Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the monastery of Agia Lauras, calling upon Greece to revolt against the oppressive hand of the Ottoman Empire.

The Ottoman Empire had for centuries occupied Greece, during which thousands of Greeks were killed and tortured for attempts to school their children in the Greek way of life or for attending church. Despite this repression, the Greek Orthodox Church was successful in maintaining Greek culture by running Crypha Scholia (Hidden Schools).

The fighting ensued for eight years until 1829, when the Sultan Mahmud II accepted Greek independence with the Treaty of Andrianople.

The degustation will feature tantalising courses such as moussaka of eggplant, seared sea scallops and taramosalata and Kleftiko, twelve hour roasted lamb shoulder with toffeed garlic, preserved lemon and vineleaf salt baked in clay.

Cost: $100 for five courses and $145 with matching wines.

Click here for more information about Civic Dining