NEW YORK – Born out of a craving for authentic souvlaki, Tziki, a contemporary fast-casual Greek restaurant, opens at 209 7th Avenue (corner of 7th Avenue and 22nd Street) in Chelsea on Thursday, August 29. Featuring a renowned Greek chef and a Greek-American artist, Tziki will introduce authentic Greek souvlaki and gyro to New York City’s art district. Conceptualized by entrepreneur Harry Nicolaou, also founding partner of Ella Funt, a neo-bistro in the East Village, Tziki will serve as the inaugural location for this fast-casual Greek restaurant concept.

“The first modern ‘souvlatzidiko’ opened in Athens in 1924,” said founding partner of Tziki, Harry Nicolaou. “One hundred years later, through the opening of Tziki, we aim to bring this same authenticity to New York City.”

Helmed by Chef Alexandros Gkoutsi, Tziki offers diners a colorful and casual, yet modern environment to experience authentic, made-to-order souvlaki. Tziki is a reinterpretation of the classic hole-in-the-wall eateries of Athens, following Chef Alexandros philosophy of less is more. Fewer, better ingredients and masterfully crafted product-driven creations that reflect the tradition of Greek street food. Renowned for his fresh take on innovative cornerstones of traditional cuisine, Chef Alexandros offers a menu which includes fresh sourdough pita bread made in house daily, Chicken Souvlaki marinated in saffron and spices and served with tzatziki; Black Angus Beef Kebab served with spicy tomato sauce; handmade Pork Gyro served with Greek yogurt; Wild Mushroom Souvlaki served with tahini; traditional Greek Salad, and soft serve ice cream with sea salt and EVOO sourced from Kalamata, Greece.

Renowned for his fresh take on innovative cornerstones of traditional cuisine, Gkoutsi takes inspiration from his humble beginnings working from a young age at a souvlatzidiko in Greece, his experience in kitchens alongside Greece’s most renowned chefs including Christoforos Peskias at P-Box Athens, his success rising through the ranks of Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, and the opening of a Meze Tulum in partnership with Grupo Gitano. Channeling his global knowledge on historical techniques and everlasting traditions, Gkoutsi will pay homage to his roots and embrace tradition through his vision for Tziki to bring authentic Greek souvlaki to New York City.

Leveraging its location within the heart of Manhattan’s bustling art district, Tziki has partnered with Cretan artist Alexandra Manousakis on interior design and logo creation for the new concept. Honoring the ancient practice of ceramic art, Manousakis has created handmade decorative pots, plates, tiles and wall art for Tziki, characterized by bold elements and aesthetic consistency that blend contemporary Greek island life with the city’s ever-changing and always-evolving environment.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Manousakis moved to New York City and studied Fine Arts at NYU. During her childhood summers in Chania, she was captivated by the Cretan lifestyle and later decided to leave a successful marketing career in Manhattan to take over the family winery in the village of Vatolakkos and grow it into one of the most reputable in Greece. Along with her family, Manousakis revels in the marvels and challenges of Mediterranean life spicing things up along the way with an odd, globally-inspired twist. Manousakis’ journey of navigating a half-known culture, tackling unexpected hurdles and discovering the beautiful moments of the island, shape both the concept and the design of her art. Always with a background story and an unmistakable tongue-in-cheek approach, her works are like a journal of her journey and the stories she’s collected thus far.

Harry Nicolaou is an entrepreneur with a range of interests and a heavy focus in hospitality. He grew up between Cyprus, New York, and Athens, and is currently the head of operations and proprietor of Ella Funt, a neo-bistro in the East Village. Together with his team, Nicolaou is currently working on reviving one of NYC’s most legendary venues, Club 82; a historic cabaret dating back to the 1920s. Nicolaou and his family also own and operate NYC’s oldest cinemas, showcasing independent films and festivals and beloved by the most celebrated filmmakers.

Tziki is set to be New York City’s hotspot for authentic Greek street food. Tziki is authentically Greek – always made fresh with traditional techniques and the best ingredients, and authentically New York – evoking a sense of belonging and adapting to the heartbeat of the city. Tziki’s principal values are centered around product, serving fresh food with quality ingredients; technique, featuring tradition masterly crafted with meraki, meaning “to put part of yourself into your work;” and art, an expression of our Greek and American character and aesthetic.

Tziki opens on August 29. Hours: 12 Noon-10 PM daily. No reservations are required.

More information is available online: https://www.tzikisouvlaki.com.