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Mount Kisco Greek Restaurant Hoping To Attract Chappaqua Foodies

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. -- Westchester residents are saying "Opa!" at a new Greek restaurant in Mount Kisco. 

Taverna Pandesia co-owner Nikos Kostakis is hoping to attract Westchester residents to his new Mount Kisco Greek restaurant.

Taverna Pandesia co-owner Nikos Kostakis is hoping to attract Westchester residents to his new Mount Kisco Greek restaurant.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Taverna Pandesia is a new Greek restaurant that recently opened at 36 E. Main St. The restaurant promises authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisine for the whole family.

“I think this area needed authentic Hellenic-Greek cuisine,” co-owner Nikos Kostakis said.

Kostakis, who lives in Long Island and has operated a diner in Whitestone for 16 years, said the area is lacking in Greek cuisine. Aside from Mount Kisco, Kostakis, who owns the restaurant with his brother, Elias, and business partner Christopher Fillos, is looking to attract customers from the region, including Pleasantville, Chappaqua, Mount Pleasant and Bedford.

The restaurant celebrated its grand opening last week and reviews have been positive, praising the food and décor that makes people feel like they’ve been transported to Athens or Kozani.

Greek specialities include moussaka, with eggplant, potatoes, ground beef and bechamel sauce, and arni kokinisto, aromatic braised lamb shank with orzo. Traditional items, like gyros and souvlakia, also dot the menu and Kostakis is very proud of his fish, grilled on charcoal with lemon, extra-virgin olive oil and herbs. A kids' menu is available, as Kostakis wants his restaurant to be a destination for families.

Kostakis was born in Greece and moved to the United States when he was 15. Much of the food on the menu is from recipes going back generations in his family.

Kostakis said he wanted to open a restaurant in Mount Kisco because he is fond of the area.

“I know this area well and I wanted to give it a beautiful restaurant,” Kostakis said. “There’s a lot of fast food in this area. People need a good sit-down traditional restaurant.”

Business is expected to pick up in the fall when people come back from summer vacation and Kostakis said it will take about six months to establish the restaurant’s business.

Kostakis already has been blown away by the sizeable Greek population in Westchester.

“I couldn’t believe how many Greeks there were in places like Armonk and Yorktown,” Kostakis said. “There’s just so many Greeks that live up here.”

Despite a down economy, Kostakis is confident his investment will pay off and has been putting in long hours to make the place a success.

“You’re here seven days a week,” Kostakis said. “You can’t take a day off until you establish your business.”

Kostakis said he looks forward to meeting more people in the area and getting them to enjoy some Greek food.

“Come and enjoy,” Kostakis said. “We have excellent cuisine and excellent service.”

For more information, contact 914-244-3000 or visit www.tavernapandesia.com

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