New Arrivals – September 2023
Posted by estiator at 10 September, at 06 : 19 AM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
Baltimore | ESTIATORIO PLAKA | estiatorioplaka.com
A high-profile crowd, including Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott, and Greek-American Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes, celebrated the July opening of this Greektown restaurant and bakery. The restaurant opened in the former Acropolis Restaurant, which closed in 2019 after 33 years, according to The Baltimore Sun. “We wanted to tell the next chapter of Greektown,” owner John Zoulis said.
Belmont Shore, California | NICK THE GREEK | nickthegreek.com
The former Petris Bakery in this California town is now an outpost of Nick the Greek, the chain of Greek street food-style fast-service restaurants with 60 locations across the Western US. The menu touts familiar favorites: salads, burgers, meat skewers and plates with rice, salad, and sauces like tzatziki. The chain was founded in 2012 by three Greek-American cousins named Nick.
Greenport, New York | ZERDEM | instagram.com/zerdemhospitalityRestaurateur
Zac Erdem, who appeared in the Discovery+ series Serving the Hamptons, has opened this modern-Greek spot on the North Fork of Long Island. Erdem also owns the stylish, 10-room Zey hotel on the same street. Tzatziki, sautéed shrimp ouzo, a classic Greek salad, and fresh fish headline the menu, along with house-made baklava and Turkish pistachio kadaif, made with phyllo doughand syrup.
Minneapolis | SPICY FETA | eatspicyfeta.com
“In the coming weeks, the Naughty Greek will be transforming into a new brand with new owners, Spicy Feta.” With that Facebook post in July, owner Angelo Giovanis informed his fans he had sold The Naughty Greek after seven years. “It has been such an honor being able to bring a taste of Greece to the Twin Cities,” he wrote. “Stin Ygeia’ mas!” Spicy Feta’s three locations will continue serving Greek street food and salads.
Palm City, Florida | PYLOS GREEK KUZINA | pylosgreekkuzina.com
Three Greek-American cousins named this new spot after their ancestral town in the Peloponnese. Traditional staples like fresh fish, souvlaki, horiatiki, spanakopita, and grilled octopus, along with pizza and burgers. The all-white room is bisected by a gleaming blue bar where customers can order from the menu. “We believe that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to bring people together and create memories,” proclaims the restaurant’s site.
Durham, North Carolina | NIKOS | nikosdurham.com
Busy restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, who owns local eateries Krill, Las Ramblas, Giorgio Pizza Bar, and Greek spot Kipos, opened this Greek eatery in July. The menu skews traditional, but cocktails do not; Philotes translates as a spiced-apple/elder-flower Highball, and Hesperus is an ouzo-based Greyhound. Greek wines include Avantis Estate Amygdalies from Euboea and Domaine Costa Lazaridi Oenodea from Drama.
