New Arrivals – May 2023
Posted by estiator at 11 May, at 13 : 08 PM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
Williamston, MI ‣ NIKO’S TAVERNA ‣ nikoswilliamston.com
When one of his three restaurants closed during the pandemic, owner Nick Gavrilides decided to reboot it as a Greek eatery serving food close to his heart. “We’re a Greek family. I grew up on Greek food; I cook a lot of Greek food at home. I love the atmosphere of Greek restaurants,” Gavrilides told a local site. Niko’s Taverna serves up street- style gyros, saganaki, and Greek fries along American pub food like burgers. “We’re all about the family. That’s the Greek way. We really want to be welcoming to the community,” Gavrilides said.
Warner Robins, GA ‣ OLYMPIA GYROS ‣ olympia-gyros.com
If owner Nabor Gutierrez doesn’t sound Greek, it’s because he’s not. But his new quick-service spot flies the Hellenic flag high with a menu of gyros, wraps, salads, burgers, and desserts like baklava. “Greek food is simple and elegant with flavors subtle to robust textures smooth to crunchy,” enthuses the restaurant’s site. “Journey into the cradle of civilization and the land of the Gods of Olympus.”
Houston ‣ KRITI KITCHEN ‣ kritikitchen.com
At this new spot in the West University Place section of Houston, chef-owner Mary Cuclis blends elements of her Greek background with her experience in kitchens at Bo Innovation, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Hong Kong, and Houston’s celebrated Indian restaurant Pondicheri. Meals are built around shareable mezze boards as well as generous salads, wraps, and bowls; Kriti Kitchen’s meat board offers keftedes, chicken souvlaki, and dolmades. Cuclis has also opened a refrigerated section stocked with homemade dressings, sauces, dips, sweets and breads.
Arlington, VA ‣ OUR MOM EUGENIA ‣ ourmomeugenia.com
Estiator readers will recognize Eugenia Markesini Hobson, the chef and “mom” who’s inspired these hugely popular Northern Virginia restaurants. The stylish, 3,600-square-foot Arlington location is the third from Hobson and sons Alex and Phil, who run the business and front-of-house. An all-Greek wine list complements Hobson’s fresh takes on traditional dishes. Delayed county permits pushed back the opening by more than six months, a local news site reported.
New York City ‣ WHITE OLIVE MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN ‣ whiteolivesnyc.com
“Common in Greece, white olives are found in southerly parts of Italy,” explains this new restaurant’s website. “It is in our highest regards that you indulge in fresh and authentic Greek-inspired dishes, while experiencing the utmost hospitality.” Chef Hasan Karci promises to deliver with dishes including tzatziki, keftedes, baked shrimp saganaki, lemon potatoes, and lavraki. Turkish specialties balance out the Mediterranean menu.
Starkville, MS ‣ BLUTO’S GREEK TAVERN ‣ blutosgreektavern.com
The toga-clad little man in Bluto’s logo sure looks like Animal House-era John Belushi. In fact, owner Michele Fant told a local site she named the restaurant for the John “Bluto” Blutarsky character. The menu’s a straightforward mix of Greek and Middle Eastern, with salads, gyros, and kebabs, along with more elaborate plates like grilled amberjack, lamb chops, and moussaka. “It’s a great opportunity to bring some Greek in a college town and do something fun and young and hip,” Fant said.
