New Arrivals – April 2025
Posted by estiator at 15 April, at 22 : 24 PM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
New York City | YASOUVLAKI | yasouvlakinyc.com
Guests often commuted across town to visit Yasouvlaki on the Upper East Side, and implored owner Georgios Kantaristo to open closer to them. In March, their dreams came true. Yasouvlaki serves gyros, chicken and pork souvlaki, salads, spreads, and a roster of shareable Greek plates. “Yasouvlaki is our version of a neighborhood restaurant but with casual Greek food,” Kantaris told a local news site. “We serve everything family-style so all dishes are for everyone at the table.” Kantaris is the son of Greek immigrants.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida MYKONOS mykonosfl.com
This downtown Fort Lauderdale newcomer “aims to bring the breezy, open-air allure of the Greek islands to the shore of the New River,” whose patio it overlooks, according to a local newspaper. The menu leans both Greek and Mediterranean, with show-stopping spiced lamb lollipops and grilled ribeye. A globe-trotting wine list includes a Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko from Santorini and Plano Assyrtiko from Drama.
Austin, Texas | THE GREEK BAR | thegreekbar.com
South Austin newcomer The Greek Bar comes from hospitality veterans and husband-and-wife duo Dimitri Karabinas and Daphne Greer. Karabinas, whose family hails from Greece, founded Vines Grille and Wine Bar in Orlando, Florida; Greer brings experience as general manager at Austin nightlife venues. The Greek Bar’s menu features familiar favorites including saganaki, dolmades, and spanakopita; Texas twists include “Big Fat Greek Fried Chicken” brined in feta with lohano salata.
Mountain Top, Pennsylvania | THE GREEK SHACK | thegreekshack.com
Opened in February, The Greek Shack shares the name of the food truck that Demetri and Calliope Patitsas established in September 2023. After 20 years, the couple launched this full-service restaurant, winning seed money through a Philadelphia contest for entrepreneurs. The food truck will continue to operate at special events. “We grew up in Greek families. We’ve always been in the Greek Shack,” Demetri Patitsas told a local news site. “When we got married and later on started having our kids, we wanted to make it more formal.”
Chicago, Illinois | YASEMI | yasemichicago.com
Rina Mallick and Manish Mallick own several Indian restaurants in Chicago. Trips to Greece inspired the couple to open this upscale spot inside The Godfrey Hotel in the hot River North district. Recruiting local chef George Zervakis, the Mallicks are serving up kebabs, braised lamb shank, whipped harissa feta, and charred eggplant; wines include a Karavítakis Klima White Vidiano from Crete and an Atma Assyrtiko from Apostolos Thymiopoulos.
New York City | OPTO | optonyc.com
Manhattan’s pioneering Periyali restaurant, which closed in 2024 after nearly four decades, has been reborn as Opto. Nicola Kotsoni, who had owned Periyali with husband Steve Tzolis, has recruited former Union Square Café chef Alex Tubero for a high-end Mediterranean menu. On offer: A $105 whole branzino and $130 Australian grass-fed ribeye, along with pastas, a raw bar, charcuterie, and salads. The high-ceilinged room is outfitted in terra-cotta tiles, white walls, and copious plants.
Missoula, Montana | ACROPOLIS GYROS | zootownacropolis.com
This popular fast-casual spot is back in business again after fears it would close before new owners stepped in. Pat and Heather Carls, who own a string of Five Guys Burger franchises, bought Acropolis Gyros when they heard the 40-year-old local institution might shutter. “I knew the Koutelieris family when they first opened it, and then the Housers bought it after that and then the Basolo family after that,” Pat Carl told a local news site. The house-made tzatziki sauce is a signature, along with gyros, salads, and feta fries.
Pearl River, New York | GREEKTOWN PEARL RIVER | greektownpearlriver.com
In February, husband-and-wife team Michael and Cara Constantinides opened this bright, relaxed Greek eatery in New York’s Rockland County. Large picture windows illuminate the hardwood furnishings and white walls. The menu features grilled meats and fish, along with moussaka, pastitsio, and a for-two combo of a gyro, Greek salad, skewers, tzatziki, and fries. Sweets include baklava, revani, loukoumades, and homemade rice pudding.
Stuart, Florida | THINK GREEK | thinkgreekfl.com
When Stella Koufalis opened her Think Greek food truck in 2014, “there wasn’t a thought that she might own two restaurants and end up on The Food Network. But that’s exactly what happened,” according to a local news site. Guy Fieri’s “Best Bite in Town” visited Koufalis’ original Port St. Lucie location in 2023, awarding Think Greek the show’s top award. Koufalis lived in Greece for several years, and her menus feature family recipes; her signatures also include “Greek fusion” fare like Greek nachos with gyro meat and feta.
