Nikos Cakes — Restaurant in Melbourne

On Saturday 28/11/20 at around 1:30pm, I attended Nikos cakes in Oakleigh to purchase some biscuits and other sweets, as I have been doing so once every week. On this particular day at the time I had arrived, the shop was moderately busy, I did not notice a que of people waiting. At this point I was motioned by one of the female staff members to come up and be served. Immediately I was approached by a male customer, storming toward me, who then proceeded to verbally abuse me, and use profane language in a loud manner. There was no doubt at this point that the entire cake section of the store had the attention of the scene that was ensuing. The reason for this happening, not to my knowledge, was due to me apparently cutting the line, which I had apologised to him for. I stopped my order with the woman that was serving me, and asked her to serve him instead, which she did. After his first outburst, he was promptly served. However, this did not diffuse his anger or his verbal abuse.

As he was being served, he continued to curse and yell at me profanely, even whilst paying he did not stop there. I had felt threatened but I was not looking to engage in any type action that would further the situation. All whilst this was happening, NONE of the staff members at Nikos had any input, or intervention. NONE of them tried to diffuse the situation, or escort the man out of the store, they instead continued on with his order. Nobody in the store had looked out for me, or had a word with this aggressive male. I ended up paying for my cakes, and leaving feeling disgusted by the lack of sensibility and customer care shown by this well-established business.

I myself am an owner of two businesses myself, BOTH of them exercise high standards of hospitality and customer care. It’s a standard for myself and my workers that our customers leave satisfied, and knowing that brand they’re supporting has their safety and interests in mind.

It is unfortunate to say that after all of the support I have shown to this establishment I have been attending to so diligently, that I did not get the same care or regard in return. I hope that this review will serve as cautionary reminder to value all of your paying customers equally, and ensure NONE of them should have to feel the disrespect and unwarranted anger in the excess that was...

A landmark..possibly. It has been around for an incredibly long time and a well known hangout in the community. An ideal place to walk past if you want to be gawked at or if you fancy sitting down and gawking at others while you sip on a $5 double espresso.

60 odd mills of hot water brewed from the Griffiths house blend that goes in every other coffee. Speciality prices for non speciality coffee often served in cold ceramic cups that deliver a lukewarm dishwater like espresso.

The cakes have dramatically decreased in quality, the biscuits can be stale and crumbly, the sandwiches and trays of lasagne and stuffed peppers refrigerated and clearly not fresh.

As many have noted items are not priced and can raise a few eyebrows when looking at your bill leaving one feeling like management has slid their hand in their pockets and stealthily robbed you of a few of your hard earned bucks.

Should you dare waste the servers time and ask for prices for their mediocre offerings this may be met with pursed lips and a look that would liken one that you’d expect if you walked off the street and asked them for a free coffee.

A place being labeled as an ‘institution’ and charging for the prestige doesn’t mean they can go on cruise control and now deliver a mediocre product. This may be due to the focus on the new outlet they are establishing but unlikely as this has been occurring over the last few years.

On the positive side there’s Greek music playing, you can still smoke here if you are a smoker.

Stays here are best kept short or how long depends on how comfortable you are hanging about after the waiters lap around you like vultures eagerly awaiting the opportunity to take the cups from your table at the very moment you take take your last sip and your cup returns to its saucer. “Something else?”

With the competitive nature of this strip and the competition available it’s hard to see how the survival of this business could continue were it not for ownership of the freehold and the reputation as a traditional meeting point.

The workforce mainly consists of Greek newcomers who may have difficulty obtaining work in other areas due to language barriers explaining why staff often can be heard complaining about wages and conditions while on a smoko.

Might be time to go back to the...

Prepare to have your senses transported to the sunny shores of Greece with the incredible Greek Salad at Nikos in Oakleigh. It's like a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds sing and your senses come alive.

As you take your first bite, your eyes will be captivated by the vibrant colors of the salad. The deep green of the crisp lettuce, the juicy red tomatoes, the creamy white feta cheese, and the vibrant hues of the olives and cucumbers. It's a feast for the eyes, a work of art on your plate.

As you bring the fork to your mouth, the aroma of the salad hits you like a Mediterranean breeze. The fragrant herbs, the tangy vinegar, and the fruity olive oil create a tantalizing scent that makes your mouth water in anticipation.

And then, the explosion of flavors on your palate. The crunch of the fresh lettuce, the burst of juiciness from the tomatoes, and the tangy, salty bite of the feta cheese. The olives add a delightful brininess, while the cucumbers provide a refreshing and cooling contrast. Each ingredient comes together in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of taste that dances on your tongue.

As you savor each bite, you can't help but notice the texture of the salad. The crispness of the vegetables, the creaminess of the feta cheese, and the satisfying chew of the olives. It's a delightful medley of textures that adds depth and dimension to the salad.

And let's not forget about the finishing touch - the Greek salad dressing. The tangy vinaigrette, made with a perfect balance of lemon juice, olive oil, herbs, and spices, coats each ingredient, bringing all the flavors together in a harmonious union.

In the end, the Greek Salad at Nikos is a sensory experience like no other. It's a feast for the eyes, a tantalizing aroma, a burst of flavors, a delightful texture, and a symphony of taste. It's a reminder of the rich culinary traditions of Greece, and a delicious escape to the Mediterranean with every...