New Arrivals – January 2026
Posted by estiator at 15 January, at 19 : 59 PM Print
A coast-to coast glance at some of the industry’s newest additions
Viera, Florida | OLIVE TREE GREEK GRILL | olivetreegreekgrill.com When it opened in 1980, Aspasia and Ilias Kastrinaki’s Old Olive Tree was the first Greek restaurant on Long Island’s South Shore. Now based near Orlando, the Kastrinaki family last month unveiled a gleaming new location for their Olive Tree Greek Grill, with a first-floor food counter and market, and a second-floor fine-dining concept called Pano (πάνω)—“above” in Greek. The expansive new spot replaces a location the family had occupied since 2014.
Wyandotte, Michigan | AUBURN TAVERNA | theauburntaverna.com After a devastating fire leveled the popular Auburn Cafe in nearby Ecorse, a new iteration is now open in Wyandotte, a few miles south. Auburn Taverna is touted as “a fresh, modern take on traditional Greek dining.” The Detroit Press reports that Auburn Taverna owner Fotini Callis is drawing inspiration from the now-shuttered café, which was founded by her in-laws, Antigone and Sam Callis, and run by their son Kostas for two decades.
Hanover Park, Illinois | RAKI RESTAURANT | rakierestaurants.com Athens native Giorgos Zervakis is chef at this upscale new- comer, open since November and named for the traditional Cretan alcoholic drink, ρακή. The menu covers cold and hot meze, Greek salads and soups, kabobs, and entrees including britzolakia, or bone-in pork chops, and Cretan makaronia (pasta). House cocktails include the Basiliko Ouzo Sour, with ouzo, lime, and egg white, and the Mystique, with mastiha, pomegranate, lemon, and mint. The wine list leans Greek, too, with selections like an Avantis Syrah from Evia.
Naples, Florida | VIOLI | violinaples.com Chef Athinagoras Kostakos is running the kitchen at this Florida outpost of a Chicago hot spot. Kostakos met owners Luke Stoioff and David Rekhson in Mykonos, where they were wowed by his cuisine at a popular restaurant. “I don’t consider Naples like another spot in the States, because from the first moment I arrived here, it feels like home. People are charmed. They’re smiling, they’re humble. The weather is insanely good, and it reminds me back of Greece,” Kostakos told a Naples news site.
Manchester, New Hampshire | ZEUS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL | simon.com/mall/the-mall-of-new-hampshire/stores/ zeus-mediterranean-grill This quick-service spot opened last month in Manchester’s sprawling Mall of New Hampshire. Options include pork or chicken souvlaki platter, lamb and beef kabob platter, falafel platter, pork gyros, and chicken gyros. “At Zeus, we bring the vibrant flavors of Greece to life with our mouthwatering grilled dishes, fresh ingredients, and traditional recipes. From succulent souvlaki and tender gyros to savory mezes and delightful desserts, our menu offers something for everyone. Opa!,” its website enthuses.
Coconut Grove, Florida | AVA MEDITERRAEGEAN | avamediterraegean.com This upscale Greek restaurant and “exclusive member’s club” launched in November. It’s the latest offering from Riviera Dining Group, whose holdings include South Florida’s Mila Miami, Casa Neos, and Claudie. AVA’s splashy opening featured Greek “folktronica” band Re:Kultura and a party “inspired by the spirit, flavors, and culture of Greece,” according to a press release. “At the heart of our philosophy is parea, the cherished Greek notion of a group of friends coming together to share life, ideas, and heartfelt conversation.”
