Many guests come into Yasouvlaki on the Upper East Side who commuted from the Upper West Side. They often implore that the owner Georgios Kantaris open another location closer to them. Starting next year, their dreams will become a reality when a second location of Yasouvlaki opens at 592-594 Amsterdam Avenue.
What Now NY interviewed owner Georgios Kantaris to learn more about Yasouvlaki’s plans.
“Yasouvlaki is our version of a neighborhood restaurant but with casual Greek food,” said Kantaris. “We serve everything family-style so all dishes are for everyone at the table.”
Kantaris’ parents were born and raised in Greece. Growing up with five siblings, he fondly recalls large family meals where food was put down in the middle of the table, and everyone would gather around to eat.
Yasouvlaki serves gyros, fresh chicken and pork souvlaki, salads, spreads, and a range of other shareable Greek dishes.
This new location on the Upper West Side will be much larger than the currently open location on 3rd Avenue in the Upper East Side. Kantaris confirmed that this new location will be Yasouvlaki’s first location will a full liquor license.
Reporting by Patch.com indicates that Yasouvlaki will be filling the space left vacant by Slovenian-American restaurant, Pekarna. There are plans in place to renovate the Pekarna space and combine it with the space next door for a total occupancy of 200 over two stories.
Kantaris says the design of the new space will enable him to host more social events and gatherings.
“There are two big rooms upstairs and two downstairs,” Kantaris said. “This means we will have bigger tables where more people can pull up a chair and be a part of whatever is happening. It is a huge part of the Greek culture to sit, drink some wine and talk. We are trying to make it so you can have an amazing time with your family and friends no matter how many of you there are.”
Kantaris expects the space is large enough to be able to host parties of up to 60 people. There are seats for at least 10 people at the bar.
This will also be Yasouvlaki’s first location featuring live Greek music.
Currently Kantaris and his team are working through the permitting process and finalizing a design for the space. Construction has not yet begun, but Kantaris hopes that doors will open in about eight months, around early 2025.
