6 things to know in Austin food now: Greek eatery makes waves downtown
6 things to know in Austin food now: Greek eatery makes waves downtown Delicate scallops and other fresh fish dishes anchor the menu at Simi Estiatorio.
Courtesy of Simi Estiatorio
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Openings and re-openings The long-awaited downtown Greek concept,
Simi Estiatorio, will open to the public May 7, with reservations available now. Located near the corner of Sixth Street and Congress Avenue on the first floor of the historic Littlefield Building, Simi Estiatorio was originally announced in late 2019, but its planned opening date of spring 2020 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Debuting now with dinner service, the restaurant boasts some serious talent behind the scenes. Managing partner
Austin 360
Simi Estiatorio, the seafood-centric Greek restaurant long planned to open in the Littlefield Building downtown, will officially open on May 7.
The restaurant from George Theodosiou, a 25-year service industry veteran with experience in both Greece and New York City, and executive chef Diego Sanchez will feature grilled octopus, skewered scallops, grilled sardines, marinated swordfish, seafood orzo, lamb chops and more at 601 Congress Ave. for dinner daily.
Customers can also order Greek salads and shrimp, lobster and oysters from the raw bar, and some of the dishes nod to Sanchez s Peruvian roots. The restaurant, named for an island in eastern Greece, was originally announced in late 2019, with the opening delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anticipated Greek eatery drifts into historic downtown Austin space
Courtesy of Nolan Studio
Courtesy of Nolan Studio The downtown site of a former Italian eatery and pizza joint is giving rise to another Mediterranean concept that promises to evoke the experience and flavors of the Greek islands.
Simi Estiatorio, an authentic Greek restaurant soon to open at 601 Congress Ave. on the ground level of the historic Littlefield Building, replaces Due Forni Pizza & Wine, which closed in mid-2016 after just three years in business. Simi Estiatorio was originally scheduled to open in early 2020, but challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic pushed that plan back. Now the restaurant is preparing for its 2021 opening with a new executive chef at the helm.
Restaurants opening in Austin and Central Texas in 2021
Austin 360
After the worst year for restaurants and their workers in memory, I’m happy to put 2020 in our rearview mirror and start thinking about what 2021 might look like.
With good and exciting news in short supply, it’s nice to think about what the new year will bring with it.
This list of forthcoming restaurants won’t be as robust as in years past, because most restaurant owners will probably spend most of their energy on their current projects, trying to figure out how to bridge through the spring and early summer to what promises to be a much brighter fall.