Two Greek restaurants specializing in regional dishes will open on Astoria’s 30th Avenue by August 2024. Both aim to add new options to the neighborhood’s established Greek dining scene.

Kriti, named for the island of Crete, is set to open at 34-15 30th Avenue in late July. Kriti will serve a menu centered on Cretan specialties, including dakos salad, kalitsounia pastries, and rabbit stew. Owner Giorgos Nikolaidis previously managed a bakery in Chania, Crete, before moving to New York.

Thessalia, at 36-05 30th Avenue, plans to open in mid-August. The restaurant is focused on the cuisine of Thessaly, a region in central Greece. The menu will feature dishes such as spetzofai (sausage and peppers) and local sheep’s milk cheeses. Chef-owner Maria Vassilaki is a first-time restaurant operator in the United States.

Astoria’s Greek community has supported a range of restaurants, but most have served general Aegean or pan-Hellenic cuisine. The openings of Kriti and Thessalia mark a shift toward regional specificity, reflecting trends seen in other New York neighborhoods. Both projects occupy former diner spaces that closed in 2023.

Neighborhood business groups, such as the 30th Avenue Business Improvement District, have expressed cautious optimism that the new restaurants will draw both Greek and non-Greek customers. Both Kriti and Thessalia have hired local staff and are seeking beer and wine licenses from the State Liquor Authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Greek regions are represented by the new restaurants?

Kriti will focus on cuisine from Crete, offering dishes and baked goods specific to the island. Thessalia will offer food from the Thessaly region, such as spetzofai and cheeses not commonly found elsewhere in Astoria’s Greek restaurants.

When will the new restaurants open on 30th Avenue?

Kriti is expected to open in late July 2024 at 34-15 30th Avenue. Thessalia is scheduled to open by mid-August 2024 at 36-05 30th Avenue. Both aim to finalize permitting and staff training by those dates.

How do these openings differ from existing Greek restaurants in Astoria?

Most Greek restaurants in Astoria offer pan-Hellenic or Aegean menus. Kriti and Thessalia will focus on regional Greek cuisines not previously highlighted in the neighborhood, emphasizing specific local ingredients and traditional preparations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the names of the new Greek restaurants opening on Astoria’s 30th Avenue?

The new restaurants are Kriti, focusing on Cretan cuisine, and Thessalia, specializing in food from the Thessaly region.

When are Kriti and Thessalia scheduled to open?

Kriti is expected to open in late July 2024, and Thessalia is scheduled to open by mid-August 2024.

What types of dishes will Kriti and Thessalia serve?

Kriti will serve Cretan dishes like dakos, kalitsounia, and rabbit stew, while Thessalia will offer spetzofai and Thessalian sheep’s milk cheeses.

How do Kriti and Thessalia differ from other Greek restaurants in Astoria?

Unlike most Astoria Greek restaurants that offer pan-Hellenic menus, Kriti and Thessalia will focus on regional Greek cuisines specific to Crete and Thessaly.

Where are Kriti and Thessalia located on 30th Avenue?

Kriti is located at 34-15 30th Avenue, and Thessalia is at 36-05 30th Avenue, both in spaces formerly occupied by diners.

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