New Arrivals – April 2024
Posted by estiator at 21 April, at 10 : 20 AM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
Los Angeles
YASSOU MEDITERRANEAN
instagram.com/yassou__la
The menu at this just-opened Los Angeles spot sprawls across the Mediterranean, with nods to Greek food. Apps like honey halloumi and tirokafteri share the menu with pizza, grilled calamari, and salads. Branzino, lamb chops, and filet mignon top out the menu in the $45-$55 range. A tightly edited wine list stays local, with one Greek wine―Hermes Mavrodaphne of Patras, a port-like red dessert wine. Signature cocktails include Zeus’ Mule, with vodka, raspberry, lime, mint, and ginger beer.
New York City
GEORGE SOUTHERN GREEK
georgesoutherngreek.com
George Kalogerakos, who owns Ritz Diner and the Hungry Hero on NYC’s Upper East Side, opened this eatery with a “Sparta influence” in January. But it’s not his first time in the space. George Southern Greek is a reboot of Under the Bridge, which Kalogerakos owned with Dimitri Sarantopoulos, who died last October. The menu includes some favorites from Under the Bridge, along with rarely seen dishes like kouneli stifado, or rabbit stew. Kalogerakos told Patch he’ll soon produce olive oil with fruit from 1,200 trees on his property in Sparta.
Charleston, South Carolina
ATHENS RESTAURANT
athensofcharleston.com
Vasilios and George Koutsogiannakis recently moved their beloved 45-year-old restaurant into its third location, in the Charleston-area town of James Island. Born in Athens, Vasilios came to the U.S. in 1978. His brother followed, bringing Koutsogiannakis family recipes that are still used to make the food at Athens today. “Charleston reminded me a lot of the Greek islands, ”Vasilios told a local newspaper. The brothers noted they serve house-made bread and produce their own olive oil.
Dresher, Pennsylvania
GREEK BROTHERS TAVERNA
facebook.com/p/Greek-Brothers-Taverna
After 10 years in nearby Coventry, brothers Mario and Yanni Vadarlis relocated their popular restaurant early this year. “The neighbors and the community have been thanking us for opening up a Greek restaurant in the area. They seem to want something different, some ethnic cuisine,” Mario Vadarlis told a local news site. The menu offers both Greek and American fare, from gigantes, grape leaves, and gyros to pastas, chicken, and flatbreads.
Chicago
YAYA MAS GREEK KUZINA
yayamas.com
This Chicago newcomer, whose name you’ll recognize as “Our Grandma,” had a “chaotic” opening, according to Eater. But it’s a hit, with reasonably priced pies, sandwiches, seafood, and desserts. “We pride ourselves on using only the finest, 100 percent Greek ingredients sourced directly from local producers in Greece,” Yaya Mas’ site says. “Each dish is prepared with love, following time-honored recipes passed down through generations.”Among the Greek purveyors featured here: Kyknos sauces, Melissa pastas, and Minerva cooking oils.
Miami
BAKALO MYKONOS
bakalomykonos.com
A favorite among celebs like Calvin Klein and Sofia Vergara, this Mykonos hot spot opened its first U.S. location in January. The decor is inspired by old-time Greek bistros, with posters from the 1950s and ’60s discovered at Athens flea markets. This being South Florida, the restaurant also features an outdoor patio. Along with traditional Greek dishes, the menu offers wines from Santorini, Macedonia, and Peloponnese. Co-owner Nikos Nanou is planning more U.S. locations.
