The Greek Kitchen reopens in Kirkwood

The Greek Kitchen has reemerged in Kirkwood, at the former Sushi Bistro space (343 S. Kirkwood), after shuttering its Ellisville location over the summer.

The restaurant closed its doors in West County in July, in part because the owners say they had trouble finding kitchen help. Co-owners Lisa Nicholas and Joe Kandel and a line cook were working 13- to 14-hour days, which soon took its toll.

“We have built up a wonderful clientele with great regulars and great catering jobs,” Nicholas told SLM in July. “But we just cannot get help out here in Ellisville as far as back-of-the-house.”

Now the restaurant is beginning a new chapter in Kirkwood. The Greek Kitchen had its soft opening August 9 and is gearing up for its grand opening September 22. Nicholas has always dreamed of opening a restaurant in the neighborhood, she says, and business is booming so far.

“It’s been very busy already,” she says. “We’ve been filling up the patio and dining room on the weekends. We’ve had several customers from our Ellisville location come find us.”

In addition to its old menu of traditional Greek dishes, the restaurant will offer more weekly specials and a new dessert item. Nicholas would like to a add a weekly lamb special to the menu rather than once a month, she says. She’s also adding moussaka (an eggplant and ground beef casserole) to the menu.

Photography courtesy of The Greek Kitchen

Photography courtesy of The Greek Kitchen

The rest of the lunch and dinner menu comprises Greek classics, such as dolmathes, or stuffed grape leaves with ground beef and rice, pastitsio, a noodle casserole with ground beef and béchamel sauce, and spanakopita, or a filo dough pastry stuffed with spinach and cheese.

Another attraction is avgolemono soup, an interpretive classic made with chicken stock, egg yolks, and lemon. The Greek Kitchen’s version won the judge’s coveted Gold Ladle award at this year’s Soup’s On! competition last February, besting two dozen other soups.

Restaurant-goers can also order grilled dishes, including gyro or grilled lamb or beef served open face on pita bread and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce. Another classic, the chicken souvlaki, has grilled chicken kabob strips with diced tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese atop pita bread.

Photography courtesy of The Greek Kitchen

Photography courtesy of The Greek Kitchen

A new dessert item, the baklava cheesecake, is Nicholas’ original creation. The dish includes a traditional graham cracker crust, a cheesecake filling mixed with baklava nuts and spices, and filo dough on top. It’s served with honey syrup.

With an updated menu and new space, The Greek Kitchen seems to have found its footing. “We’re happy to be here,” says Nicholas. “We found our spot.”

Photography courtesy of The Greek Kitchen

Photography courtesy of The Greek Kitchen