New Arrivals – November 2021
Posted by estiator at 8 November, at 05 : 52 AM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
Santa Monica, CA
NICK THE GREEK
nickthegreeksj.com
Nick the Greek, the fast-growing California-based quick-service brand, opened its latest store in downtown Santa Monica in September. Founded by three cousins named Nick, the franchise concept features classics like souvlaki, gyros, and pita sandwiches, along with Greek frozen yogurt, baklava, and loukoumades. Meat is cooked on skewers or rotisseries; veggies and sauces get prepared in-house. Cofounder Nick Tsigaris told a local business site the chain plans to have more than 50 locations open in 2022.
Staten Island, NY
THE GREEK AVOCADO
thegreekavocado.com
Tom Moudatsos, whose family owns a group of New York–area diners, told SILive.com he wants to bring “Greek food for the next generation” with this Staten Island fast-casual spot. On the menu: staples like spanakopita and horiatiki, mains including gyros and souvlaki, and specialties like Greek avocado toast and a Greek stuffed avocado, both snazzed up with feta. Baklava, rizogalo, and karidopita bring a sweet finish.
Wethersfield, CT
GRAN CAFE MARKET PLACE
grancafemarketplace.com
At age 16, Maria Matoshi worked at a café in her native Greece—and dreamed of opening her own eatery. In September, she pulled it off with Gran Cafe Market Place, which features both a homey cafe and a market that stocks Greek imports and local goods. According to a news report, the café features salads, sandwiches, and baked goods, with plenty of vegan options. Many of Matoshi’s purveyors are local women-owned businesses, like Latina Vegan Chef and Sam Bao Bakery.
Cincinnati, OH
OKTO
oktocincinnati.com
“Elevated Greek dining” is the tagline for this new Cincinnati spot from local restaurant group Earth + Ocean. “When we asked [residents] to tell us about a category of food they feel has been underserved in Cincinnati, an overwhelming majority responded with Greek… For those reasons, and perhaps the fact half of our ownership is of Greek descent, Greek was a natural choice,” an Earth + Ocean executive told a local newspaper. Classics dominate the menu, from spanakopita and horiatiki to kotopoulo and fried feta.
Rye, NY
GREEK FROM GREECE CAFÉ
gfgcafecuisine.com
The fast-casual concept founded by Georgios Drosos opened its fifth New York–area location in September. Located in a suburb 28 miles north of New York City, the 1,900-square foot outlet has 20 indoor seats and outdoor seating for 60, according to FastCasual.com. The allday Greek from Greece menu includes breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, fruit salads, and traditional Greek pies. Franchise developer Fransmart now owns the brand, known for provisions imported from Greece.
San Francisco, CA
ESTIATORIO ORNOS
estiatorioornos.com
The full name of this seafood-focused San Francisco spot is Estiatorio Ornos a Michael Mina Restaurant. It’s a reminder the space still belongs to the Michelin-starred chef who the acclaimed Michael Mina restaurant here for years. Named for a beach on Mykonos, upscale Estiatorio Ornos offers traditional spreads, fish like lavraki and tsipoura, and homey Greek desserts to a soundtrack “of Mykonos-inspired music.” Wines skew Greek and Californian. Open since September, this is Mina’s second Estiatorio Ornos, after Miami.
