After becoming Sarasota’s first Greek restaurant when it opened in 1990, El Greco Cafe had a storied life on Main Street, owned and operated by George and Paulene Soublis until 2007, when it was sold. The restaurant stayed in action until 2017 before closing. And now, it’s preparing to make a comeback: El Greco Cafe will be reborn as El Greco Kitchen & Market, at 4035 Clark Road, coverage by Business Observer reports.
Behind El Greco Kitchen and Market are the Soublises’ daughter, Patti Soublis Corcoran, and her nephew, Dimitri Syros, whom What Now readers will remember as the co-founder of the Breakfast Company and one of the partners currently working to relaunch Hob-Nob Drive-In.
“When we opened the Breakfast Company, it was in honor of [El Greco]. It has some Greek food, but this is something else,” Syros told What Now on Friday. “The idea is to bring back the Greek stuff, but do it fast-casual instead of sit-down. We’ll also be offering some authentic Greek products, like olive oil, in a small retail section.”
Many of the dishes that were favorites at the original El Greco will be found at El Greco Kitchen & Market, too: gyros; pita sandwiches; chicken, lemon, and rice soup. But, as Syros puts it, it will be getting a modern twist, with new items like beet hummus and fried chickpeas.
Corcoran puts it the same way in the Business Observer coverage:
“Partnering with my nephew Dimitri, whose experience and skill have made The Breakfast Company into a Sarasota favorite, we are putting our modern twists on the best authentic Greek food this town has ever enjoyed.”
Comprising about 1200 square feet, the restaurant will feature some interior seating, along with a counter for quick-service-style ordering. It’s expected to turn out a great deal of takeout and delivery orders as well.
El Greco is working toward a spring opening for its long-longed-for comeback.
