New Arrivals – July 2021
Posted by estiator at 10 July, at 03 : 34 AM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
McKinney, TX
SOTIRIA AUTHENTIC GREEK FOOD
sotiriagreek.com
“Fresh homemade every day—while it lasts!” proclaims the Facebook page for Sotiria Authentic Greek Food. Indeed, Sotiria Baney makes moussaka, pastisio, and dolmades by hand at her homey restaurant in McKinney, a Dallas suburb. According to the Dallas Morning News, Baney and her husband, Nikolas, moved to Texas in 2019 from Tripoli, in the Peloponnese. Greek and U.S. flags line the walls of the former bakery, which is decorated in blue and white with blue-upholstered chairs. Baney’s menu spotlights comfort food, from gyros, mpifteki, and mousaka to tzatziki, saganaki, and pastitsio.
Cortlandt, NY
GO TO GREEK
gotogreek.com
At this Westchester County fast-casual newcomer, traditional favorites rule. Think avgolemono, tzatziki, or tirokafteri for starters; moussaka or spanakopita as mains; and sweets like baklava and koulourakia. Since its April opening, the family-run spot has earned raves on platforms l ike Yelp (“fresh, delicious, generous portions, and reasonably priced,” cheered one user). On Facebook in May, the owners floated the possibility of a Go To Greek food truck; comments ranged from “Absolutely!” to “Yum!”
New York City
IRIS
irisrestaurant.nyc
Inspired by his Greek background, Michelin-starred chef John Fraser opened this 5,000-square-foot Midtown spot in April. “This restaurant is such a direct expression of my heritage and passion, as seen through the lenses of cuisine and travel,” Fraser told Wine Spectator. Along with an extensive wine list that highlights regions along the Aegean Sea, the menu features updated classics like tzatziki with sorrel and young garlic; whipped sheep’s-milk feta; hangar-steak kebab with lemon potato salad, peas, and walnuts; and desserts like pistachio baklava and fried Greek doughnuts, known to Estiator readers as loukoumades. Fraser also owns the famed North Fork Table & Inn in Southold, N.Y
Austin, TX
SIMI ESTIATORIO
simiatx.com
Originally slated to debut in 2019, this seafood-centric spot from restaurant veteran George Theodosiou finally opened in May. “I had a dream to combine the best Greek dishes and wines of my homeland with exceptional and attentive service in a vibrant, Greek island-like atmosphere,” the restaurateur told Austin360. Simi’s fish is flown into Austin weekly from the Mediterranean, from fangri (red porgy) to Lavraki branzino, Eater reported. For appetizers, there are scallops with black lentils, octopus with Santorini fava puree, and swordfish souvlaki. Simi’s wine list leans Greek too, with 13 Greek bottles, along with cocktails and beer. Peruvian-born Chef Diego Sanchez helms the kitchen.
Chicago
AVLI ON THE PARK
avli.us
The fourth restaurant in chef Louie Alexakis’ Chicago chainlet, Avli on the Park boasts a massive rooftop deck above a 13,000-square-foot dining space. Eater reports that Alexakis has woven his own family’s recipes into the menu alongside longtime Avli hits such as astakomakaronatha, or lobster pasta, and garides kataifi, or filo shrimp. The wine list spotlights Greek labels, along with cocktails like Teach Me to Dance—vodka infused with Greek wild mountain tea, bergamot orange, thyme, honey, lemon. The airy dining room boasts two fireplaces; its Lakeshore East location promises to draw tourist crowds, Eater said.
North Miami, FL
ALEXANDER GREEK TAVERNA
alexandergreek.com
The founder of his own cosmetics company, Jerome Alexander opened his second South Florida restaurant in May, promising “an authentic taverna experience straight out of the Greek isles,” according to a press release. Instead of surprises, the place aims for comfort; fava, htipiti, tzaziki, and melitzanosalata top the menu, with whole fish selections as star main courses. The room ticks all the boxes from the Greek-restaurant playbook, from blue-and-white decor to a fresh-fish display. “Alexander Greek Taverna was designed to instantly transport our guests to Greece and provide the freshest, most delicious Greek specialties this side of the Atlantic Ocean,” Alexander said in a statement.
