New Arrivals – August 2019
Posted by estiator at 12 August, at 10 : 41 AM Print
A COAST-TO-COAST GLANCE AT SOME OF THE INDUSTRY’S NEWEST ADDITIONS
NORTHWEST
THE GYRO SHACK
1866 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa, ID | thegyroshack.com
Location number 10 opened last Autumn, adding to the cluster of locations situated in the Idaho capital of Boise as well as across the state line in Washington State. This fast-casual entry marries Greek with American flavors to create dishes such as a BLT with tzatziki; a “super gyro” with bacon, romaine, hummus, tomato, onion, pepperoncini, kalamata olives and feta; a Philly gyro with grilled Philly mix and cheddar cheese; and an “ultimate” gyro that’s got everything and the kitchen sink (including chicken, bacon, and serrano peppers). Any of their gyro combinations can be made into a salad or a rice bowl.
CHICAGO
THASSOS GREEK RESTAURANT
11011 SW Hwy, Palos Hills, IL | thassosgreekrestaurant.com
Just 20 minutes from Chicago, Thassos is the latest addition to the Chicago suburban Greek food scene. A large menu with all of the tried-and-true favorites is offered up in this split-level tablecloth restaurant. Lamb chops are offered as thin-sliced paidakia, 5 oz cuts, and thick cuts, while its seafare includes lavraki, sea bass, and fried smelts.
HOUSTON
OUZO BAY
4444 Westheimer Rd., River Oaks, TX | ouzobay.com
Baltimore-based Ouzo Bay Mediterranean Kouzina’s third outpost (the second is in Boca Raton, FL) opened in June in the glitzy River Oaks District of Houston. Ouzo Bay, the initial concept of Atlas Restaurant Group, which also includes a Japanese fish house (Azumi), oyster bar Lock Tavern, an Italian chophouse (Tagliata), and Choptank, which serves blue crabs from the Chesapeake from its own crabbing boat, is a high-end affair, bringing fresh seafood in daily from around the world. The Houston location occupies 7,000 square feet with 275 seated indoors and outdoors. In addition to the array of best-in-class seafood and fresh fish, the menu includes interesting entries such as pastitsio spring rolls; stuffed grape leaves finished with a pistachio pesto; blue mussels in white wine, garlic, feta, lemon and dill; and Mediterranean fish tacos. A beautifully conceived cocktail menu offers concoctions made with Greek spirits such as Metaxa brandy, mastiha, and agiorgitiko wine.
MIAMI
ASTRA
P2121 NW 2nd Ave., Miami, FL | astramiami.com
This stunning rooftop restaurant and bar sprawls over a 10,000-square-foot terrace replete with a “Sky Garden” landscaped with lemon trees and olive trees, along with other species from the Mediterranean. According to Iraklis Karabassis, the restaurateur/founder of IK Retail Group, which owns Astra and the sister concept below (Sette Osteria), “the venue emulates the glitzy bar scene of Mykonos, where one can spend the evening either lounging on a daybed, effortlessly grabbing a cocktail at the bar or dancing until sunrise.” This hip, rustic-chic spot comes alive at night with special events and DJs, but also offers up some very tasty upscale takes on Greek fare that includes paidakia (charcoal-grilled lambchops with Swiss chard and gremolata), spanakopita (with truffles, feta and parmesan), beet salad (with walnuts and feta), and seafood orzo (with shrimp, calamari and salmon).
PHILADELPHIA
STINA
1705 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, PA | stinapizzeria.com
Highly regarded area chef Bobby Saritsoglou and wife Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou offer up Mediterranean oddities alongside woodfired pizza in their hipster-chic eatery in South Philly. With menu items that include borek (flaky pastry filled with kashkaval cheese with honey and toasted sesame seeds); Moroccan-spiced ground beef kebab served with saffron labneh and tabbouleh; Turkish dumplings; fattoush salad; and chicken shawarma, the pair are successfully marrying pan-Mediterranean and Middle Eastern elements while their wood-fired oven cranks out pizzas topped with ingredients such as truffles, kale, and prosciutto, as well as pide, a Turkish flatbread shaped into a boat, which Bobby fills with an eclectic assortment of savory elements. The quirky menu of this 28-seat BYOB eatery is matched by a quirky interior with oddities curated by Christina, a co-founder of Philly AIDS Thrift.
UPSTATE NEW YORK
KIKI’S AUTHENTIC GREEK FOOD
64 W Genesee St., Camillus, NY | kikis-authentic-greek-food.business.site
Named for his mother, Kyriaki Psarros, owner Bob Cosselmon’s paean to Greek street food in this quiet upstate NY town is the first brick-and-mortar incarnation of the tent show eatery he’s successfully set up at fairs and festivals throughout the area since 2008. Retiring recently from a career with beverage giant Pepsi, Cosselmon is now tackling his passion for Greek food and culture with a menu that includes appetizers, soups, salads, bowls, and gyros and souvlaki (from lamb, pork or chicken).
MIAMI
LOVE ‘N GYROS
2814 N Miami Ave., Miami, FL | lovengyros.com
Street Cred goes to Love ‘N Gyros, a funky fast-casual spot where the gyro is made from 100% muscle meat sourced from local farms. Marinated and slow roasted “with love,” carved and wrapped in a grilled pita, those meats include lamb, pork, chicken, and a “sexy zesty” pork that’s “sorta spicy.” For the meatless crowd, there’s a pita wrap with grilled halloumi and a soy-based “veg” pita. Fries are handcut and can be ordered “fortomenes,” with gyro, kefalograviera, Greek salsa, feta, and the eatery’s unique “Fit for Gods” sauce.
