Inside This Modern Greek Empire’s Airy Downtown Rooftop

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Avli on the Park — the fourth restaurant in Greek-American chef Louie Alexakis and sports activities anchor Lou Canellis’ fast-growing fashionable Greek eating empire — opened this week. The brand new flagship represents next chapter of the brand’s bid for Chicago domination, placing down roots at 180 N. Subject Boulevard, the previous house of III Forks Steakhouse, simply because the pandemic wanes.

The brand new 13,000-square-foot tavern is completely remodeled, buying and selling black partitions and darkish wooden accents for the intense, breezy aesthetic meant to make diners really feel like they’re vacationing on the sun-bleached Greek coast. Rustic wooden wall decor, loops of rope draped overhead, and sculptural lighting fixtures soften in any other case stark white areas. Hints of the prior tenant stay, together with monumental floor-to ceiling home windows with beautiful views of Lakeshore East Park, an enormous U-shaped bar, and a pair of two-sided stone fireplaces.

The house is primed for out of doors eating — a pandemic necessity that can possible stay even after town totally reopens. It options an enormous rooftop deck with heated cabanas desired to lure prospects year-round.

Govt chef and Greek native Nikolaos Kapernaros (Hyatt Regency Chicago, Grand Resort Lagonissi) has woven his circle of relatives’s recipes into the menu alongside longtime Avli hits corresponding to Astakomakaronatha, or lobster pasta (tomatoes, white wine, ouzo), and Garides Kataifi, or filo shrimp (spicy mayo, Greek yogurt). Kapernaros can be that includes a chef’s desk with particular menus and a smattering of small plates and desserts for rooftop patrons.

There’s a wine listing laden with Greek choices and pure wines, in addition to home cocktails just like the Train Me to Dance (vodka infused with Greek wild mountain tea, bergamot orange, thyme, honey, lemon).

Alexakis and Fox Chicago sports activities anchor Cannelis, additionally function Avli eating places in Lincoln Park, River North, and suburban Winnetka. The brand new outpost in Lakeshore East was a collaboration with native actual property firm Magellan Improvement Group.

Tour the house within the pictures beneath.

Avli on the Park, 180 N. Subject Boulevard, Open 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday by means of Sunday