Great Greca!

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WPCNR Reporter About Town . By John F. Bailey. September 29, 2021.

White Plains added to its diverse collection  of fine dining experiences last night with the grand opening of Greca Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar.

Renaissance on Renaissance Square in White Plains NY USA

What an opening!

It was the White Plains debut of Connecticut’s most honored new restauranteur, Constantine “Dino” Kolitsas ,Tuesday night in the most elaborate restaurant opening night this reporter has experienced  in 18 years.

The press and  Who’s Who of  Mr. and Mrs. And Ms. Westchester sampled light tasty hors d’euvres unique to the house tastily light, precisely right;  cocktails ,  mellow cabernet sauvignon  Oenodea Greek wine with courses,  and course after   course featuring Greca specialties of the house.

Zucchini Kefetedhes–Croquettes with feta, fresh herbs, tzatziki and red pepper cuoulis. Delicious light luscious

Your reporter departed at 8 PM after the first serving but the courses kept on coming. Owner Dino Kolitsas  said  40 guests were served 4 courses of 20 dishes. The most popular was roasted cauliflower

Ochtapoli: octopus grilled perfectly, tender, not chewy infused with flavor . The best octopus I have ever eaten.
Owner Constantine “Dino” Kolitsas in front of the elegant new bar.

After Kylie and Louis Cappelli addressed the 40 invited  guests,   dishes were served in waves by the cordial efficient server staff who created a party atmosphere in a sweeping new décor themed in Greek turquoise and light blue with a splendid tiled bar that is seductive in its lure and fabulous original cocktails like the Socratic Method (bourbon, roots rakomelo and fresh sage).

Frankie and Amanda, Greca personalities behind the inviting bar.

Greca is every bit its owner’s motto: “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.”

Greca  warms up a truly original dining venue in White Plains, 189 Main Street, overlooking the lights of Renaissance Square.

Connecticut Magazine named Mr. Kolitsas’  restaurant in New Milford, opened in 2019  “Best Overall Excellence,” “Best New Restaurant” and ‘Best Mediterranean/Greek Restaurant.”

The restaurant fills the space left by the departure of Mediterraneo, that had been there for 8 years. Mr. Cappelli said  the former restaurant had closed due to covid.

Kylie Cappelli with Mr. Kolitsas at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Louis Cappelli addressing the guests. Mr. Cappelli said White Plains on the move and growing and said he and his wife 11 year residents of White Plains love the city.

Mr. Cappelli gave his wife Kylie credit for bringing Mr. Kolitsas into White Plains. (“Why don’t we do a Greek restaurant,” he quoted her) for suggesting a Greek restaurant because of her Greek ancestry.  He said they first met Mr. Kolitsas at the New Milford restaurant and the partnership developed from there.

The result is a mix of dishes that are light and tasty with an upbeat (like the refreshing bright interior of positivity and vibrance),  that makes you look forward to the next mouthful. The opening ribbon cutting added a unique touch with a prayer by Father Alex Karloutsos asking for blessings and success for the staff of the restaurant, praying “may all our guests love this restaurant.”

The spectacular upper deck.
Overlooking Renaissance Square
Dine with art.
The secluded private room grotto for private parties

Greca has  seating on the main floor, and a unique upper deck  giving you  sweeping views of the elegant Opus hotel and the glitter and glamour of Renaissance Square presenting a leisurely unpretentious vibe.  

Mr. Cappelli calls Greca “a world class Greek restaurant.”

Mayor Thomas Roach at the ribbon cutting, praised Mr. Cappelli as the man who gets things done. He noted that when The Mitchell announced the loss of their contractor, with a week, Mr. Cappelli was on the job.
Louis Cappelli with Geof Thompson and Liz Bracken-Thompson of Thompson & Bender who put together the evening.

If you enter as friends, you’ll be friendlier before the night is over!

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