If you want to get your fill of the city’s most glorious Greek fare, head to Kyma Flatiron or Elea, where you will be transported to the island of Mykonos or to the mainland of Greece.
Both scrumptious spots, offering mouthwatering Mediterranean meals, are the brainchild of Reno Christou, who got into the hospitality business as a way to enhance the pleasurable experiences of others when dining out. “Being a proprietor gave me an added layer of creativity, where I have the ability to develop everything from menu design to uniforms to plate selections and marketing ideas,” explained Christou. “This is when I had my ‘light bulb’ moment, when I realized that as long as I’m opening restaurants, I have that opportunity to continuously create.”
While the whimsicality of Kyma, which just celebrated its first anniversary, will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to the islands, West Side favorite Elea incorporates darker tones for a more mainland feel, paying homage to Greece’s rustic, olive grove areas. From a happening happy hour to lunch service, as well as a private events program that has made them a popular spot for bridal and baby showers, Kyma keeps guests coming back for more. This fun flatiron restaurant serves up fine Mediterranean fare while offering private dining rooms, making it perfect for those holiday parties that are just around the corner! Their impressive private dining basement has a capacity of up to 270 (seats up to 120) and can be accessed through a separate private entrance. Elea’s newest private dining room will be launching mid-December and will be able to seat up to 65 guests.
While you might find some of your favorite Kyma dishes at Elea, Reno explained, “We made sure to add twists so Elea would have its own identity. We wanted to cater to an encompassing version of Greece as opposed to just the islands, so we have a balanced menu of meat, seafood, salads and legumes. At Elea, we are ultimately looking to achieve a neighborhood connection, so we are consistently developing daily specials that could eventually end up printed on the menu. With this menu format, we hope to keep our regulars engaged.”
Get your Sunday Funday on at Kyma Flatiron, where they just launched an unbeatable bottomless brunch deal on Sundays: for $20 with the purchase of an entrée, guests can enjoy two hours of bottomless cocktails including bellinis, sangria, mimosa and their signature VIP cocktail. You can also get your fill of fine Greek fare at both restaurants with their Sunset Prix Fixe. Enjoy these palatable plates from 4:30pm to 6:00pm every day at Kyma, where you will find a three-course meal of their greatest hits for $44.95. Meanwhile, you won’t be left out at Elea, which also offers this same great deal for $42.00. Each restaurant is known for its fresh fish: at Kyma you can choose from Pink Snapper, Black Sea Bass, Tsipoura, which will be cooked to order. Elea has its own savory specialties, including Mussels Anhista, made with herbs, shallots, garlic and scallions, as well as Mushroom Orzotto, which is baked orzo with seasonal mushrooms and Kefalograviera cheese.
Director of Operations Joe Ragonese explained, “We launched additional menus in order to provide new and exciting options for our guests. We saw a need for an ongoing Prix-Fixe menu for those who enjoy dining early in a quieter atmosphere, so we created the Sunset Menu. The Bottomless Brunch was a no-brainer at Kyma Flatiron, as it fits with our theme of “vibe dining” and provides for a lively environment on Sunday. Both menus have been well-received by our guests, and we look forward to bringing these menus to our Hudson Yards location in 2020.”
While you will soon have your own favorite dish at each of these hot spots, according to Christou, “Everyone who comes to either Kyma or Elea must try the Short Rib Youvetsi, Lamb Chops, Kyma/Elea Chips and Whole Grilled Fish! Our dips and spreads or Pikilia are always a big hit at both as well. Our dishes are made with love and made to be shared to bring people together. We try to instill the Greek warmth into our hospitality as much as the food, and we find our guests really feel at home because of it.”
Reno, who has achieved succulent success in the fickle New York restaurant scene, attributes his own insecurities to the reason why he is always striving to do even better. “If you are fully confident, you get to the point where you tell yourself you have achieved something. Insecurity always makes you look at things in a different way that allows you to evolve and grow – tell yourself there is more, and you can always be more. You always have to continue finding ways to stay relevant and keep things fresh. Measuring success within the parameters of staying relevant and evolving is a key element to strive for. There are always going to be things that people get tired of, so you must be cutting edge and assume there’s someone else who wants it more than you.”
When it comes to elegant and chic yet cozy décor and creative cuisine, escape to Elea or Kyma for authentic and innovative Mediterranean plates that are made with love!
KYMA FLATIRON
15 W 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
212.268.5555
kymarestaurants.com
ELEA
217 W 85th St.
New York, NY 10024
212.369.9800
eleanyc.com
