Certain to become a bustling hotspot for the area’s foodies and hipsters, Egg & Dart, the Miami Design District’s new modern, Greek restaurant and bar, is slated to open to the public on Wednesday, August 3, 2011. Named after the iconic decorative moulding prevalent in Greek architecture, Egg & Dart will combine contemporary sophistication with rustic regional cuisine, served up in a vibrant convivial atmosphere.
The dynamic duo behind Egg & Dart are no strangers to the culinary landscape. Co-owners Costa Grillas and Niko Theodorou hail from families with years in the restaurant business. Grillas earned his stripes at the acclaimed Coral Gables institution, Maria’s, where diners have enjoyed traditional Greek cooking for over 28 years. Partner Theodorou’s family operates the popular Sea Satin Market, a romantic waterfront restaurant nestled in the heart of Mykonos. The combination of their backgrounds and their creative, timely concept for the restaurant are certain to make Egg & Dart a premiere hotspot in what is arguably the most trend-setting, culinary zip code in town. “With the culinary diversity of Miami’s Design District, we are excited to bring a hip modern slice of Greece to the neighborhood,” says Grillas.
Under the guidance of Theodorou’s mother, Vagia Theodorou, who operates a successful catering company in Athens and a restaurant on the island of Tzia, the menu at Egg & Dart will honor the breadth of traditional Greek cuisine by bringing fresh, wholesome cooking from all regions of Greece. The menu begins with a large selection meze (small plates), perfect for sharing among friends. Traditional plates include dako, the Greek bruschetta, topped with crumbled feta cheese ($8); steamed mussels, infused with white wine, dill, garlic and parsley ($14) and shrimp saganaki ($14) sautéed in a tomato and feta. Wood grilled offerings include octopus, prawns and calamari, each simply prepared with lemon, oregano and extra virgin Cretan olive oil ($12-$16). Bacalao croquettes with a garlic potato puree ($10), marides – golden brown fried smelts ($9) and a variety of Greek dips and spreads ($6) round out the beautifully plated selection of mezze.
Refreshing salata (salads) are meant to be shared and include prasini – mixed greens with grilled haloumi cheese ($14); beet salad with walnuts, green apple and a light vinaigrette ($14) and of course, horiatiki – an authentic Greek salad ($15). Main courses feature a selection of impeccably grilled meats such as the wood-grilled double-cut lamb chops, marinated in Greek herbs and accompanied by oven roasted lemon oregano potatoes ($36) and chicken chops, grilled with a hint of mustard and served with a garlic potato puree and medley of seasonal vegetable. The star of the show at Egg & Dart is psari – whole fresh fish for two, grilled to perfection with Cretan olive oil, lemon, oregano and dramatically presented on an elevated tray of glass (market price). Meals are rounded out with a variety of side dishes including horta – a medley of red, white and gold Swiss chard with escarole, dandelions and spinach ($7) and Greek fries, hand-cut and served with Mediterranean sea salt ($4).
Guests can complement the dining experience with a selection of signature cocktails, uniquely hand-crafted for Egg & Dart. Specialty libations include the Egg & Dart Fizz – a delightful combination of Ridge gin, egg whites, lemon, sweet cream and Hum liqueur, with a powdered sugar rim; the Med – Skinos mastiha, basil, lemon and soda and the must-try-it-to-believe-it Greek Salad – Smooth Ambler gin, tomato water, muddled cucumbers, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives and lime, garnished with feta stuffed Kalamata olives. Signature cocktails are affordably priced at $9 each.
Grillas and Theodorou personally collaborated to create a rustic environment with an urban appeal. The 202-seat restaurant features organic clay walls, polished concrete floors and white lacquered tabletops, creating an unpretentious yet sexy ambiance. “When you think Greek restaurant, think again. Egg & Dart will combine the best of what Greek dining has to offer – comforting rustic cuisine and warm and inviting service, with a hip, modern surrounding that today’s diner is looking for,” says Theodorou. Revelers and diners can mingle and imbibe at the stunning cherry wood and polished concrete bar, complete with recycled glass lighting. A banquette lining the length of the restaurant, an Indonesian teak communal table and an eye-catching fresh seafood display create an inviting, contemporary vibe. Sleek frosted glass doors lead to a stunning private dining room, complete with a state-of-the-art video and sound system which accommodates 30 guests comfortably.
Slated to open August 3, 2011, Egg & Dart will be located at 4029 N. Miami Avenue in the Miami Design District. Dinner will be served nightly from 5:00 p.m. - Midnight. Telephone: (786) 431-1022.
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