New Arrivals – September 2024
Posted by estiator at 11 September, at 17 : 48 PM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
Englewood, New Jersey
CALDERA AT VIDA
calderatvida.com
“Santorini vibes” are what this high-end New Jersey new-comer promises on its website, with live DJs and custom cocktails. A caldera is a huge crater that forms after volcanic eruptions; Santorini’s famous caldera dates back millions of years. On the menu here: fish, chicken, pasta, and salads, along with drinks like the Zeus Mule (Metaxa, mezcal, blackberries, ginger liqueur) and the Santorini Spritz (Don Julio reposado, prosecco, blue Curacao). Breaking with the ultra-casual trend of most new restaurants, this one maintains a strict “always chic” dress code, with “no athletic wear, no white t-shirts, no baggy attire, and no beach attire.”
Birmingham, Alabama
MARKY’S KITCHEN
markyskitchen.com
The family behind beloved Birmingham diner Zoë’s Kitchen has opened this new fast-casual spot with a similar menu. Along with sandwiches, salads, and complete “hot plates,” the stars of the menu are family dinners for four, including grilled chicken and chicken kebabs, for $49.95. Owner and local entrepreneur John Cassimus also founded popular Birmingham restaurants Maki Fresh, Jinsei, Miss Dots, and Crazy Cowboy’s. Marky’s Kitchen offers dine-in and drive-through options.
Bellingham, Washington
MERCATO DELLE BONTA
instagram.com/mercato_delle_bonta_/
Julia Tzortzatos, a first-generation Greek American from New York City, opened this restaurant and market in July in downtown Bellingham’s Granary Building. With a name meaning “market of goodness,” the upscale spot “will blend flavors of Greece, Italy, and New York,” Tzortatos told a local news site. Her husband, Milan-born chef Francesco di Vito, is her partner in the venture. It’s not their first time working together; the couple competed on Food Network’s “Cut Throat Kitchen” in 2017. The cafe will also include a small market with local and imported products, along with charcuterie boards and oven-ready dinners.
Brooklyn, New York
PSARAKI
psaraki.com
Fish, of course, is the focus at Psaraki, which opened in July next to Domino Park on the Williamsburg, Brooklyn, waterfront. According to a local news site, “Psaraki uses its location over-looking the East River to evoke the charm of seaside tavernas found along the shores of Greece.” The restaurant’s name, ψαράκι ―which translates to “little fish”― is the brainchild of hospitality veteran Chef James Paloumbis, who boasts nearly three decades in the restaurant business. The lavish menu features seafood, filet mignon souvlaki, white fish kebabs, and lobster pasta. Paloumbis is also tapping recipes from his grandmother’s kitchen, including a hefty spanakopita.
Worcester, Massachusetts
GYRO & SOUVLAKI
gyronsouvlaki.com
After years of traveling to Boston for a good gyro, Anisa Hoxha Luarasi and her husband, Redi Luarasi, decided it was time to bring a little slice of Greece to Worcester. Now, the Luarasis are also restaurateurs. In July, the couple opened this fast-casual concept “to share the authentic taste of Greece with our neighbors,” according to the restaurant’s site. The menu features ―yes― gyros and souvlaki, along with Greek salad and horiatiki. The restaurant features a crisp, black-and-white color scheme with marble countertops and plants around the dining area, along with patio seating.
San Francisco
THE PARTHENON
theparthenonsf.com
Calling itself a “Mediterranean wine bar,” this intimate, 40-seatspot comes from local restaurateur Cem Bulutoglu, who also owns Gyros & Tzatziki in San Francisco’s Mission district. The Parthenon boasts “tall and curved mirrors, punchy green tile behind the back bar, a textured ceiling, and custom light features,” according to a local site. While Bulutoglu and one of his chefs are Turkish, he explained the historical crossover between Turkish and Greek cooking to the news site. “Back in history, it was all one country at one time,” he said. The Mediterranean menu will include some Californian healthy influences and a number of vegetable dishes, along with sirloin souvlaki, lamb chops, and mussels with retsina.
