A 2-Story Greek Restaurant and Market Opens in Midtown Thursday

Fournos Theophilos — a Greek-focused restaurant and market reminiscent of the Eataly food hall — debuts in Midtown this week, bringing with it an all-day Mediterranean menu, yogurt bar, and bakery.

Starting Thursday, October 4, the two-story restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as quick bites prepared by chefs Yannis Tsiakos and Dionisis Liakopoulos, who are from Greece. The ground floor of the 5,200-square-foot space at 45 W. 45th St., between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, will be a fast-casual venue, while the upstairs portion will be reserved for table-service seating.

Pastries and sandwiches are on that first floor, offering Greek pies like the spinach-onion-and-dill-filled spanakopita and “pie cups,” which Liakopoulos describes as a deconstructed version of traditional Greek pies. A yogurt bar will also be there, and a separate market will offer a selection of products like olive oil from southern and western Greece, Kalamata olives, and spreads for purchase. Coffee, milkshakes, and smoothies will also be available.

An open kitchen sits at the back of the space, where diners can order larger entrees, salads, sides, and soups. The two floors fits up to 80 diners total, with half downstairs and half upstairs, but the upstairs portion is reserved for table-service only. Take-out will also be offered, and a brunch menu is in the works. No dish will be priced over $12, Liakopoulos says.

Fournous Theophilos

The interior takes inspiration from Greek bakeries with white tile, natural wood, and black metal decor. Dishes prepared by Tsiakos and Liakopoulos are intended to stay true to the flavors of their native country, from pastries like cheese-filled Cretan pies drizzled with honey to larger entrees like the braised lamb leg and chickpeas.

Liakopoulos, who previously worked at shuttered UES Greek spot 1633, says he and his partner found that most Greek restaurants in the city are too similar. Fournos is meant to be a broader showcase of Greek fare that matches what the duo knows from their home country. Instead of offering one Greek salad option, the restaurant will serve four variations of salads, including one made with roasted cherry tomatoes, sea salt, aged vinegar, and feta.

Eataly-like food halls that revolve around one cuisine are picking up steam in NYC. There’s Japan Village, a big Japanese-themed food hall and market set to open fall in Industry City; and Mercado Little Spain, which will offer Spanish dining from several restaurants and stalls set up within the Hudson Yards development slated for completion in spring 2019. And there’s also Le District, a French market and restaurant complex that opened in 2015.

Fournos will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Check out the full menu below.