New Arrivals – June 2019
Posted by estiator at 11 June, at 06 : 25 AM Print
A coast-to-coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
NEW JERSEY
Greek Spot
15 North Bridge Ave. — Red Bank, NJ thegreekspotnj.com
Owners Angela and Bobby Lekkas have transported elements of their eatery and grocery in Ocean Township to nearby Red Bank, bringing with them their “totally traditional” take on Greek cuisine. With seating spread over its three floors, The Greek Spot has all of the expected menu features, with a handful of yiayia classics that are more rare on restaurant menus, including yourdvalakia (rice-spiked meatballs in avgholemono sauce), moshari kokkinisto (beef in a red sauce), and yemista (stuffed green bell peppers). The restaurant focuses on food, and leave’s the wine to the guests, who are encouraged to bring their own.
SALT LAKE CITY
The Local Greek
3673 West 13400th South – Riverton, UT thelocalgreek.com
Approximately 25 miles out of Salt Lake City, Executive chef and owner Geoffrey Patmides is turning locals onto Greek street food with this build-your-own fast casual concept. Following the Chipotle assembly model, The Local Greek is among an explosion of Mediterranean-inspired eateries designed to give busy on-the-go customers a fresh, tasty option. Patmides was raised in a traditional Greek household with his approach to food and life emanating from “strong roots originated in Greece”.
VIRGINIA
Greek Unique
44632 Guilford Dr – Ashburn, VA greekuniqueva.com
If most casual Greek eateries are adopting the build-your-own format, Greek Unique lives up to its name, putting a Greek spin on a plethora of traditional American favorites. Here, you not only get a traditional gyro, but gyro as a panini, gyro tacos, gyro dip (in a twist on a French dip), and a gyro BLT. Not convinced? How about gyro tacquitos and gyro burritos? A huge list of sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads, most with a Greek twist, are also available.
LOS ANGELES
Avra
223 N Beverly Drive – Beverly Hills, CA avrabeverlyhills.com
It was nearly 20 years ago that Avra became one of the trailblazing restaurants in New York City that began the trend of upscale Greek eateries. Its second incarnation, on Madison Avenue, was opened a few years ago and now a West Coast outpost, in Beverly Hills, marks its first foray outside of the Big Apple. Co-owned by Nick Tsoulos, Nick Pashalis and Marc Parker, Avra offers modern Greek fare and classics, with a focus on fresh fish, cooked whole over charcoal. Its signature market-seafood display offers guests the opportunity to select their ideal catch.
NORTH CAROLINA
Yamas Mediterranean Street Food
624 W Fourth St – Winston-Salem, NC eatyamas.com
Yamas is a fast-casual concept that features sandwiches, grain bowls and salad bowls. Fillings will include gyro, souvlaki and falafel, with most items priced under $10. The eatery, which boasts cuisine that is “modern Mediterranean with a twist” goes well beyond the tried-and-true found in nearly all other build-your-own concepts. Here, in addition to the typical proteins, guests have choices that include beef kofta, pomegranate braised lamb, and a chicken salad spiked with figs and pistachios. On the toppings side, mandarin cranberry cous cous and cauliflower tabbouleh are among the interesting inclusions. Even the Greek fries (tagged “Mediterranean” here) are a bit different, with a garlic cream sauce helping the feta with an added boost. Yamas is owned by Chris and , who also own Cin Cin Burger Bar, Mama Zoe Michael’s and Waldo’s Wings.
WASHINGTON, DC
Our Mom Eugenia
1025 Senaca Rd – Great Falls, VA ourmomeugenia.com
Northern Virginia, with its population of well-traveled diplomats and government officials, has become fertile ground for upscale Greek eateries, and Our Mom Eugenia is among the newer entries in that popular field. Having made the rounds of kitchens at Nostos in Tysons Corner, Mykonos Grille in Rockville and Athenian Plaka in Bethesda, veteran chef Eugenia Hobson has, with her children, created an eatery specializing in family recipes she learned from her grandmother on Zakynthos. Among her large menu of appetizers and entrees is a large selection of vegetarian options.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Mezes Mediterranean Grill
906 Port Public St – Beaufort, SC mezesbeaufort.com
Tourists to the Hilton Head area can enjoy traditional Greek and Mediterranean comfort fare at this restaurant, opened in January. Conceived as a place for gathering with friends and family while enjoying traditional Mediterranean cuisine, the menu offers the most popular dishes from the Greek kitchen. Cousins George Babalis and Jim Tsironikos are the drive behind this new venture that includes a number of fine Greek wines among its offerings.
NEW YORK CITY
Etrog
122 E 58th St — New York, NY etrognyc.com
Etrog is a certified Glatt Kosher restaurant specializing in Israeli cuisine. Its menu is crafted as a culinary journey that travels from subtle, delicate flavors to bold, colorful bites, inspired by Israeli, Moroccan, Mediterranean and French cuisine. The restaurant seats about 50 and is located in midtown Manhattan.
