As the expression goes, only in New York. This can certainly apply to a new Greek restaurant that is opening this month in Greenwich Village, one of New York City’s swankiest neighborhoods.
The restaurant, named Pappas Taverna, will bring together famed New York celebrity chef Todd English and restaurateur Stratis Morfogen, The name comes from the Pappas Restaurant that Morfogen’s grandfather ran for 65 years until 1975 on W. 14th St.
The wood-fired Greek restaurant, which is opening in mid February, will offer diners a modern, playful take on Mediterranean cuisine in the main dining area.
A special 40-seat chef’s tasting room will offer a $175 or $275-per-person (includes lobster and porterhouse) 40-seat chef’s tasting room with no menu— and will serve $3,500 bottles of wine by the glass.
Pappas Taverna will also offer any of its wines by the glass — including from a 2009 Chateau Margaux, which costs $3,470 a bottle at the restaurant. Each glass will run a wine lover $870.
Once “uncorked,” the bottle will be listed on a chalkboard menu for others to order.
The restaurant – named for the Pappas restaurant Morfogen’s grandfather ran for 65 years until 1975 on W. 14th St. – will also provide takeout or delivery with a contactless system of lockers outside the restaurant.
Delivery drivers, or diners, are notified by phone when their orders are ready, and they use a QR code to open their lockers, which are individually adjusted for temperature and labeled accordingly. Cold foods are in blue colored lockers; hot foods are in red. Morfogen uses a similar system at his Brooklyn Dumpling Shop.
A sneak peak at the Pappas Taverna menu reveals dishes including mini-clay pots with tzatziki trios of whipped avocado and carrot hummus. Small plates feature filet mignon, torched crudo, wood roasted mussels, grilled halloumi and oak-roasted chili feta. There will also be classic oak-wood grilled fishes and meats, along with dishes like duck schwarma and pita pizzas of the day.