Taki’s Greek Kitchen Opens Thursday
Progressive Greek restaurant in space previously occupied by Tucky's.
Taki’s Greek Kitchen, one of the few authentic Greek restaurants in Greater Cleveland, will open to the public on Thursday, Sept. 27.
The restaurant, at 377 Lear Road, is in the space previously occupied by Tucky’s Hot Dogs in the front of Learwood Plaza, and has undergone extensive renovations.
“This is progressive Greek,” Peter “Taki” Diamantis said at an open house on Sept. 25. “It’s classic Greek with a twist."
Diamantis is no stranger to Avon Lake. The owner of Athena’s Deli, also in Avon Lake, said he opened the restaurant in Learwood Plaza, in part due to the lack of Greek restaurants in Cleveland.
The changing demographics of the area were also a factor.
“I’ve been (in Avon Lake) for 14 years; with the Interchange opening soon and the younger demographics, this is the right time.”
In addition to extensive lunch and dinner menus, the restaurant has a full bar.
Josh Smith, the Chef de Cuisine, said he would recommend ouzo or wine to complement the meals.
“Everything is made fresh, the flavors are clean and it’s that real healthy Mediterranean food,” Smith said. “The baklava is fantastic, so are the dips and salads. A lot of the food is traditional; some of the recipes are from Peter's mother."”
One of his personal favorites? The braised lamb shank with a tomato cinnamon sauce.
The restaurant is offering a dinner menu that includes small plates (stuffed grape leaves, dips and char grilled octopus, etc.), Greek salads, burgers and sandwiches, appetizers (mussels, Greek meatballs, stuffed peppers and pan fried feta) as well as daily specials, fish and grilled items. Taki’s also offers a selection of vegetarian and vegan items and desserts on it's dinner menu.
The lunch specials include chargrilled salmon, stuffed roasted red pepper and a fish of the day, as well as other items on the lunch menu. (See photos for lunch and dinner menus.)
Diamantis pursued his culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. After graduating, he worked at the Maisonette in Cincinnati and then spent 13 years as Executive Chef of Johnny's Bar on Fulton Road. He left that position to open Athena's Restaurant 14 years ago.
Diamanti previously owned MBISTRO is Westlake, which he eventually sold seven years after its opening, one week after 9-11.
He said bringing authentic Greek cuisine to the market is a dream come true.
The restaurant will be open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m on Saturday and closed on Sunday. Their number is 440-930-8888.
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Athena's Deli & Restaurant
33424 Lake Rd, Avon Lake, OH (At the corner or Lake & Moore Rds.) -
Sarah
6:48 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I am very excited to try another new restaurant in Avon Lake! It's exciting we will have more options here. With Jenny Juggs already open, Taki's opening, and Cafe Melissa coming soon we need to support our local businesses even more. Let's show them that AL was a good choice!
Johnny V.
8:26 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
From Tucky's to Taki's....funny!
Lori E. Switaj
8:32 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Nice Johnny. Totally different look inside now, food is definitely a little different than hot dogs ;) It's nice to see a variety of restaurants in Avon Lake and the Greek items being made yesterday looked authentic...and good.
Tracy Bo
8:53 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Did they by chance have any paper menus to take with you?
Lori E. Switaj
8:55 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
They do Tracy. There are two menus: Lunch and dinner. I have one side of both menus in the photos.
Patricia a. vinch
9:45 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Yeah I am so happy, love Greek food and a bar is a wonderful addition. Finally a westside Greek Restaurant.!! TEE-CON-US
mangs8
10:37 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Are there gyros sandwiches on the menu?
Anneliese
12:32 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Excited for a new type of restaurant in AL!
Cindy Fairchild
1:44 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
It looks fabulous, cant wait to come in!
Nancy Klingshirn
2:22 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Yum! So excited.
Anne M. Virtue
8:46 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Taki Diamantis cooked me one of the best meals I have ever had when he was at Johnnys. I was visiting with his lovely wife, they hosted me while I was in Cleveland. I am sure the food at his new place will be nothing short of spectacular, wish I lived closer! Congratulations!
Andrea S
9:47 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Why on earth would a new restaurant not be open for lunch on Saturday or all day on Sunday? I would think it would make more sense to be closed on Monday when foot traffic isn't likely to be as high as on a weekend...my husband and I tend to go out for lunch on the weekends (not normally dinner and we don't eat out during the week with our busy schedules) so this won't be an option. We're vegetarian so I'm super excited about the menu but I wish they'd have more extensive weekend hours. Maybe they'll wise up and change the hours after they're open a while...I can hope at least.
Dave D
10:04 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I'm glad to see some diversity coming into Avon Lake. I hope everyone appreciates it. I was so disappointed to see Bar Symon leave, this is hope again for something different.
Pete tsirambidis
10:04 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Taki good luck wish u all the best buddy see u soon Pete tsirambidis
Pete tsirambidis
10:08 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Ps taki is one of the best chefs in town if u didn't know that u should go
jak
8:46 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Just ate there this evening and it was wonderful!!! Matt Swingos was hanging at the bar, wonder if he had anything to do with the great wine selection? They have a great patio and I think they will do well here! Great location for the patio and having some wine in the warmer months and small plates! Looking forward to them being around for many years! Tucky's I knew would be a flop, but Taki's Greek Kitchen really put some time and thought into this quaint location/resturauant! Welcome to Avon Lake! I would have to agree being open on Saturday afternoon would be a plus. But there on a Monday evening and there was a good crowd! Plus Jenny Jugs is closed on Mondays, that's how we stumbled on this location, so glad we did!
Avon Laker
9:22 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Where can you get a good gyro on this side of town?.....One where they cut it right off the spit.
mangs8
1:32 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012
Wednesday night Kennilworth II in Drug Mart plaza has gyros, not sure if any good or off of spit? Lenny's Deli also on Walker claims gyros off spit, have not tried yet myself there either (just moved out this way in August). If you dont mind a 20 minute drive, Greek Village Grille has best ones around (lakewood at corner of Bunts/Madison across from south end zone scoreboard of Lakewood Football stadium)....