It is with the spirit of philoxenia (a welcoming of strangers and an eagerness to show hospitality); meraki (putting the best of one’s self into work); and kefi (living life joyfully) that Avli announces the opening of its fourth and flagship restaurant, Avli on The Park—the new Mediterranean-focused venue located in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood. The partnership with Magellan Development Group opened on Monday, May 17.
Avli on The Park will be open seven days a week for dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. and will accept reservations online via Tock. The restaurant will soon launch lunch service, weekend brunch and a Inspired Greek small plates rooftop menu. The venue will also host occasional live music as well as meetings, weddings and private events.
“We are indebted and deeply grateful to our Chicago area patrons who have demonstrated unflagging support, particularly during 2020, a tremendously challenging year for many restaurants,” says Lou Canellis, Avli partner and celebrated FOX32 Chicago sportscaster. “Thanks to their loyalty, and a fortuitous collaboration with Magellan Development Group, we are proud to expand our offerings to include our new Lakeshore East restaurant.”
Located in the former III Forks space at 180 N. Field Blvd, just steps from the 101-story St. Regis Chicago (formerly Vista Tower), the latest Avli venture will become part of the Lakeshore East community, where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan.
“Avli is a valued addition to the Village Market and the entire Lakeshore East neighborhood,” says David Carlins, President of Magellan Development Group. “We are thrilled to offer our residents convenient access to one of Chicago’s most popular Greek restaurants.”
Village Market Center also features a Mariano’s, salons and healthcare offices, among other service providers. The group also has plans to include an Alinea Group restaurant within The St. Regis Chicago later in the year.
The Concept
The newest in the Avli family, Avli on The Park is now open at 180 N. Field Blvd in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood. Nestled in the green space just east of Michigan Avenue and north of Millennium Park, Avli will be an airy, comfortable but elegant, 13,000 square-foot modern Greek taverna. Features include two-sided stone fireplaces, a U-shaped bar, and views of Lakeshore East Park from floor-to-ceiling windows. A outdoor roof deck with heated cabanas will afford diners with year-round comfort. The restaurant also features private party, meeting and event space for 10 to 500 guests.
The Culinary Program
Avli on The Park diners will be transported to the Mediterranean without leaving Chicago's lakeshore. Gastronomic creations prepared by the team will transport them to small seaside villages lining the Greek coast.
Born and raised in Piraeus, Greece, Chef Kapernaros brings over 20 years of global experience at five-star hotels, resorts, and restaurants (including Hyatt Regency Chicago and Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens) to this newest venture. He was named among the 11 best Hyatt Chefs from the U.S.; collaborated with several Michelin-starred chefs; and served as head chef for musicians, including Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Lopez, and Kylie Minogue.
“I am excited to present my vision on the art of cooking to our guests at Avli on The Park,” says Kapernaros. “My experience as a chef, culinary instructor, and my strong base of authentic Greek cuisine make for a great match with Louie Alexakis' [Avli’s founding partner] 30 years of passion for Greek food.”
Kapernaros views cooking as art, and it is with great care that he has selected dishes including his own family’s recipes. Fresh fish and specially marinated meats take the spotlight, prepared with Greek ingredients.
In addition to the menu and daily specials, Avli on The Park will feature a Chef’s Table that promises a fine-dining experience. Diners will also be offered the upcoming Rooftop Menu of Inspired Greek small plates and desserts.
Says Louie Alexakis, “We have long admired Niko’s talent and we couldn’t be happier to have him directing Avli On The Park’s kitchen. With his heart and soul, he truly embraces the spirit of our restaurants and will deliver his unique and delicious artistry and ancestry to our diners.”
The Branding and Design
The interior of Avli on The Park was designed by Nike Demacopoulos, principal of Gold Coast Interiors, who has been traveling throughout the islands of Greece for her entire life. Upon her initial visit to Avli on The Park, Nike immediately found inspiration on the rooftop overlooking the green park—a reminder of the Grecian islands she often visits.
Inside the restaurant, Nike turned the 13,000 square feet of dark wood clad interiors and 7,000 square foot rooftop into a space much like the Islands. Adaptive reuse, organic architecture and resourcefulness are key to living on an island, so each design choice was made to incorporate the microcosms of the Greek Isles.
A crisp white canvas serves as the base for this new revamped space and borrows its inspiration from Santorini. Elements from Mykonos such as the eucalyptus poles, natural rope, and the drapery you see around the beachfront, restaurants, hotels and clubs were layered in. Travels to other islands such as Paros and Milos inspired the concept of the stone, marble and gorgeous olive trees. Inside the restaurant, these trees serve as a reminder of the importance of organic architecture and sustainability and are quintessential to Mediterranean cuisine. Bringing inspiration of the Islands to the city of Chicago, the design intention of the space is open, clean and crisp, with subtle hints of gold and olive green that incorporate a creative, earthy and exciting vibe.
It is with the spirit of philoxenia (a welcoming of strangers and an eagerness to show hospitality); meraki (putting the best of one’s self into work); and kefi (living life joyfully) that Avli announces the opening of its fourth and flagship restaurant, Avli on The Park—the new Mediterranean-focused venue located in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood. The partnership with Magellan Development Group opened on Monday, May 17.
Avli on The Park will be open seven days a week for dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. and will accept reservations online via Tock. The restaurant will soon launch lunch service, weekend brunch and a Inspired Greek small plates rooftop menu. The venue will also host occasional live music as well as meetings, weddings and private events.
“We are indebted and deeply grateful to our Chicago area patrons who have demonstrated unflagging support, particularly during 2020, a tremendously challenging year for many restaurants,” says Lou Canellis, Avli partner and celebrated FOX32 Chicago sportscaster. “Thanks to their loyalty, and a fortuitous collaboration with Magellan Development Group, we are proud to expand our offerings to include our new Lakeshore East restaurant.”
Located in the former III Forks space at 180 N. Field Blvd, just steps from the 101-story St. Regis Chicago (formerly Vista Tower), the latest Avli venture will become part of the Lakeshore East community, where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan.
“Avli is a valued addition to the Village Market and the entire Lakeshore East neighborhood,” says David Carlins, President of Magellan Development Group. “We are thrilled to offer our residents convenient access to one of Chicago’s most popular Greek restaurants.”
Village Market Center also features a Mariano’s, salons and healthcare offices, among other service providers. The group also has plans to include an Alinea Group restaurant within The St. Regis Chicago later in the year.
The Concept
The newest in the Avli family, Avli on The Park is now open at 180 N. Field Blvd in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood. Nestled in the green space just east of Michigan Avenue and north of Millennium Park, Avli will be an airy, comfortable but elegant, 13,000 square-foot modern Greek taverna. Features include two-sided stone fireplaces, a U-shaped bar, and views of Lakeshore East Park from floor-to-ceiling windows. A outdoor roof deck with heated cabanas will afford diners with year-round comfort. The restaurant also features private party, meeting and event space for 10 to 500 guests.
The Culinary Program
Avli on The Park diners will be transported to the Mediterranean without leaving Chicago's lakeshore. Gastronomic creations prepared by the team will transport them to small seaside villages lining the Greek coast.
Born and raised in Piraeus, Greece, Chef Kapernaros brings over 20 years of global experience at five-star hotels, resorts, and restaurants (including Hyatt Regency Chicago and Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens) to this newest venture. He was named among the 11 best Hyatt Chefs from the U.S.; collaborated with several Michelin-starred chefs; and served as head chef for musicians, including Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Lopez, and Kylie Minogue.
“I am excited to present my vision on the art of cooking to our guests at Avli on The Park,” says Kapernaros. “My experience as a chef, culinary instructor, and my strong base of authentic Greek cuisine make for a great match with Louie Alexakis' [Avli’s founding partner] 30 years of passion for Greek food.”
Kapernaros views cooking as art, and it is with great care that he has selected dishes including his own family’s recipes. Fresh fish and specially marinated meats take the spotlight, prepared with Greek ingredients.
In addition to the menu and daily specials, Avli on The Park will feature a Chef’s Table that promises a fine-dining experience. Diners will also be offered the upcoming Rooftop Menu of Inspired Greek small plates and desserts.
Says Louie Alexakis, “We have long admired Niko’s talent and we couldn’t be happier to have him directing Avli On The Park’s kitchen. With his heart and soul, he truly embraces the spirit of our restaurants and will deliver his unique and delicious artistry and ancestry to our diners.”
The Branding and Design
The interior of Avli on The Park was designed by Nike Demacopoulos, principal of Gold Coast Interiors, who has been traveling throughout the islands of Greece for her entire life. Upon her initial visit to Avli on The Park, Nike immediately found inspiration on the rooftop overlooking the green park—a reminder of the Grecian islands she often visits.
Inside the restaurant, Nike turned the 13,000 square feet of dark wood clad interiors and 7,000 square foot rooftop into a space much like the Islands. Adaptive reuse, organic architecture and resourcefulness are key to living on an island, so each design choice was made to incorporate the microcosms of the Greek Isles.
A crisp white canvas serves as the base for this new revamped space and borrows its inspiration from Santorini. Elements from Mykonos such as the eucalyptus poles, natural rope, and the drapery you see around the beachfront, restaurants, hotels and clubs were layered in. Travels to other islands such as Paros and Milos inspired the concept of the stone, marble and gorgeous olive trees. Inside the restaurant, these trees serve as a reminder of the importance of organic architecture and sustainability and are quintessential to Mediterranean cuisine. Bringing inspiration of the Islands to the city of Chicago, the design intention of the space is open, clean and crisp, with subtle hints of gold and olive green that incorporate a creative, earthy and exciting vibe.
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