Hellenic Snack Bar and Restaurant, a family venture started more than 35 years ago, has undergone multiple renovations over the years. Once a four-table snack bar, it’s now a 40-table restaurant capable of feeding 250 mouths at a time.
The most recent update at the popular East Marion Greek eatery includes a newly remodeled bar and a renovated entrance, which owner George Giannaris says makes it a more inviting place from the second you walk in.
“We try to update something every year, said Giannaris, who took over running the restaurant from his father, John, and his mother’s cousin, Gus Hartofelis, a dozens ago. “You have to if you want to stay in business and be relevant.”
After about two months of renovations, the family-style restaurant opened its new doors Jan. 30.
Gyro lovers can take notice of the restaurant’s bar, which was moved across the room from where it was originally placed, a move Giannaris said has been well-received by many of his customers.
Giannaris said he built the oakwood bar himself after traveling to New Hampshire to pick up the wood, which perfectly matches to the color of the floors and newly purchased chairs.
The bar is complete with eight taps, pouring local wines form Martha Clara Vineyards and beer from Greenport Harbor Brewery.
While relaxing at the bar, patrons can watch whatever’s showing on the restaurant’s two new flat screens televisions, or enjoy some of the newly hung photographs Giannaris has taken of North Fork scenery.
But the restaurant itself is not the only thing that changed — the menu has both a new look and a few more options to choose from.
Burger lovers can enjoy one of the many choices newly added to the list, and those with allergies to gluten now have a page of their own with plenty of selections.
The most popular addition so far — “The Inhaler,” an 8-ounce burger with a slice of beefsteak tomato and a dollop of “tirokafteri,” a blend of feta, sour cream, and peperoncini on a buttered jumbo bun for $12.95. (Map it)
