A Greek-style long lunch is coming to Lenny with Sunday’s Dining
After months spent eating his way through Europe and Asia, Gold Coast chef Zak Taylor has returned home with fresh perspective and a renewed appetite for simple, soulful food. His latest project, Sunday’s Dining, is a rotating series of pop-up long lunches that distil his favourite travel memories into relaxed, share-style feasts.
If you haven’t yet heard the name Zak Taylor, there’s a good chance you’re about to. His resume reads like a tour of the region’s most respected kitchens, including Labart, Rick Shores, Nineteen at The Star and Brisbane’s former Little Valley. He entered the industry through a school-based apprenticeship at The Fish House, and when that closed, he crossed the road to Rick Shores. From there, he’s managed a French chalet, lived and cooked his way around Europe and, at long last, has returned to the Gold Coast to channel the best of his travels into his own series of pop-ups.
That experience now finds its outlet through Sunday’s Dining, a concept built around generosity, nostalgia and connection. The first pop-up earlier this year sold out quickly, luring diners keen for food that feels honest, comforting and deeply personal.
The next delicious instalment lands at Lenny Pizzeria & Bar in Mudgeeraba on Sunday February 15, with a Greek-inspired long lunch shaped by Zak’s time living in Athens and roaming neighbourhood tavernas run by generations of fiercely proud home cooks. On the table will be slow-roasted lamb shoulder, woodfired flatbreads, village salads, generous shared plates and house-made desserts, paired with cocktails, wine and beer for a settle-in-and-stay-awhile afternoon.
Tickets to the February 15 feast are already nearing capacity, but there’s a follow-up event confirmed for Sunday March 1.
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Greek cooking, Zak says, isn’t about polish or performance. It’s about sitting around a table, breaking bread and sharing plates without fuss. That philosophy runs through every menu, with simple Mediterranean flavours, top-quality ingredients and meals designed to bring people together.
“I fell in love with the food in Athens,” Zak says. “It wasn’t fancy. It was comforting, wholesome and made with care. I wanted to bring that feeling home.”
Each Sunday’s Dining event acts as a snapshot of a place, filtered through Zak’s own experiences. While Greek flavours lead this month’s menu, future pop-ups will explore other cuisines, including Thai, as the series continues to evolve.
Tickets to Sunday’s Dining’s Greek long lunch are $70 per person. If you prefer substance over spectacle and long lunches over rushed reservations, nab a seat asap.