New Arrivals – February 2026
Posted by estiator at 15 February, at 19 : 10 PM Print
A coast-to-coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
San Diego, California
OREXI
As Estiator readers know, “orexi” (όρεξη) means appetite, and “kali orexi” (Καλή όρεξη) wishes a “good appetite.” This newcomer inside downtown San Diego’s Courtyard Little Italy hotel hopscotches across Greece and the Mediterranean with dishes like a whipped harissa feta dip, chicken shawarma sandwich, and falafel bowl; cocktails include the Aegean Glow, with rye whiskey, date syrup, lemon, and clarified milk.
orexisandiego.com
Alpharetta, Georgia
MOZAIKA MEZZE
Greece looms large on the menu of this suburban Atlanta eatery, which also incorporates Turkish and Lebanese elements. “We’re going to have creative items on the menu. It’s not going to be like any typical Mediterranean restaurant,” owner Okan Ozyurteri told a local news site. Among those dishes: tiganites, dolma, chicken souvlaki, and grilled branzino.
mozaikamezze.com
Brooklyn, New York
NAXOS BROOKLYN
Is the world ready for Latin-Greek fusion? At this Williamsburg, Brooklyn spot, the Colombian and Dominican owners are serving up concoctions like lamb shank with ancho chilis, spanakopita crostadas, and lavraki with jalapeno. “Naxos was born from a desire to match two different cultures, which is where we come from, South America, and the elegance of the Greek culture,” partner Katherin Rozo told a news outlet.
naxosbk.com
Niles, Illinois
KOUKLAS
Chef Jimmy Bannos, Jr., who starred on Estiator’s recent “Ones to Watch” list, has opened this “modern Greek” eatery with his father, Jimmy Bannos, Sr. “We’re taking the traditional and reimagining it as modern Greek, respecting traditions around technique,” the younger Bannos told a local news site. “A pork skewer on a plate will appear simple, but it’s elevated.” The restaurant is launching with a staff of 50 and indoor seating for 175; a large outdoor seating area is set to open in May.
kouklasgreekeatery.com
Somerville, New Jersey
DAFINA
Opened in October, this newcomer is “New Jersey’s best Greek restaurant,” a local news site declared in a rave review. Brothers Skender and Gino Gjevukaj, who hail from Albania, own seven other restaurants in the region. On Dafina’s menu: grilled octopus, lamb chops, salads, pastas, and sweets including galaktoboureko. Dafina—Δαφίνα—means “laurel” or “bay tree.”
dafinarestaurant.com
Portland, Oregon
BLUTO’S
This beloved Portland Greek brand has opened its second location in Beaverton, just west of downtown Portland. Wood-fired souvlaki is a specialty, along with signature sides like braised beans, Greek fries, and house-made hummus. Among the Greek-inspired cocktails: Greek to Me, with tequila, cucumber juice, lime, and the Kalimotxo, with Skouras Zoe red wine and cola. Kourtaki Retsina also makes an appearance on the menu.
blutospdx.com
