NEW YORK – Preparations began early at Estiatorio Milos Hudson Yards as the Milwaukee Bucks and star player Giannis Antetokounmpo chose to eat there after their game with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 10. The Bucks beat the Knicks 112-100.

Players and team staff began arriving shortly after 10:30 at the 5th floor of the restaurant where they sat at tables at the back overlooking the Vessel.

Shortly after 11, Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo arrived and were welcomed by the staff. The National Herald was also there.

The two Greek players, after being informed about the Greek newspaper Ethnikos Kirikas, signed the front page featuring their visit to the White House. In fact, they asked for some copies of that issue, which they received as a gift along with a mug and a tote bag with the National Herald logo.

The reservation was initially for 60 people, but eventually 78 people came. Among them were official guests of the team, as well as fans with season tickets who follow the Bucks to their games and dine with them after.

Shortly before the arrival of the group, Greek music played and with the arrival of the Antetokounmpo brothers, the theme from Zorba the Greek could be heard.

The menu was Greek and was chosen after consultation with the team.

General manager of Milos, Dimitris Zafeiropoulos told TNH that “we had sent them our options and they chose the one with the Greek classic dishes.”

He continued: “Horiatiki salad, calamari, octopus, saganaki, grilled halloumi, tzatziki, taramosalata, and sea bass cooked in salt, ribs, fried potatoes. For dessert, we served yogurt with honey, baklava, and walnut cake.”

“Giannis came last but best, he was very hungry and he was waiting for the food. He told me ‘I’m very hungry.’ They drank only Greek wines, moschofilero from Mantineia, agioritiko from Nemea, and Cabernet Merlot from Paggaio in Drama, but also Greek beers,” said Zafeiropoulos.

Giannis Antetokounmpo told TNH that the food was amazing. “I had never been here before, everything was perfect. Although we are tired, we had a great time. We thank TNH for the gifts,” he said.

Besides the Antetokounmpo brothers, another Greek, Georgios Kalaitzakis, originally from Heraklion, Crete, is also on the Milwaukee Bucks. He told TNH that his childhood dream came true.

“Every day I wake up and feel like I’m dreaming because I always had in mind, like every child my age, one day to be able to play in the NBA. I got here and I do not stop. I fulfilled my biggest dream, but I continue, I work every day, I improve, I get better every day, and whenever I have the opportunity to go on the floor I give 100% for my team. Certainly the experience of playing with Giannis is something incredible, he is the best player in the world right now. It’s a blessing to me. Both Giannis and Thanasis are excellent guys and players and they help me a lot in training so that I have an easier transition to the NBA. I feel really blessed.”