First Look Inside New UES Greek Restaurant Yasouvlaki

MANHATTAN – New signs went up Monday for one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the new year, Yasouvlaki Greek Cuisine. Located in the space once occupied by Roma Pizza and later Otto’s Tacos– as well as the vacant space next door— Yasouvlaki Greek Cuisine sits at the corner of East 88th Street and Third Avenue, bringing another choice for Mediterranean food to the Upper East Side.

Inside Yasouvlaki Greek Cuisine on Third Avenue at East 88th Street/Upper East Site

Though Yasouvlaki is brand new, the team behind the restaurant is not. Yasouvlaki’s owner also owns the popular Bocado Cafe, located on Lexington Avenue at East 87th Street, setting expectations very high for the new greek restaurant’s dishes, which Upper East Site has learned is expected to open its doors next week– or possibly earlier– if all goes according to plan.

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Additionally, Upper East Site has discovered the menu for the new restaurant— published online in advance of Yasouvlaki’s opening— giving the scoop on all the tasty Greek staples that’ll soon be available to order.

Yasouvlaki Greek Cuisine is expected to open next week/Upper East Site

Gyro’s, Kebabs, Spanakopita and Moussaka all grace the menu, which offers something for everyone— we’ve got a full breakdown at the bottom of the article.

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Yasouvlaki has a pending application with the State Liquor Authority for a license to service wine after receiving approval from Community Board 8, Upper East Site has learned, so diners will be able to enjoy a nice glass of red while eating lamb chops— though they won’t be serving any hard liquor cocktails to customers.

The bright white double storefront at the busy corner of East 88th Street and Third Avenue, across from Whole Foods, is unmissable for anyone passing-by– and by the looks of the blue awning on East 88th Street side of the restaurant it appears they may offer outdoor dining at some point in the future.

Update: This restaurant is open as of Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Yasouvlaki Greek Cuisine is expected to open at East 88th Street and Third Avenue next week/Upper East Site

Appetizers

Octopus – Served with spicy feta, lentil salad, tomato vinaigrette
Saganaki (flaming Greek cheese) – served with roasted tomatoes, grilled lemon
Roasted Meatballs – served with spicy marinara, crumbled greek sausage, spinach capers, and toasted bread.
Greek Nachos – made of meat sauce, feta bechamel, tomatoes, and red onions.
Grilled Greek Sausage– served with sauteed spinach, toasted bread, grilled lemon
Fried Meatballs -served with tzatziki, toasted pita, grilled lemon
Fried Calamari – served with zucchini, spicy marinara, grilled lemon
Spinach Pie – made of feta, dill, scallion, on crispy phyllo.

Salad

Dako Salad – made with greek croutons, tomato, cucumber, red onion, capers, fresh herb, tomato vinaigrette
Mesclun Salad – made of shaved fennel, roasted peppers, confit chickpeas, fresh herbs, and lemon vinaigrette.
Greek Salad – made with cucumber, tomato, red onion, kalamata wolves, feta, oregano, fresh herbs, pepperoncini, lemon vinaigrette.

Dips

Tzatziki Dip– made from greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill.
Spicy Feta Dip– with pepperoncini peppers, red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs
Eggplant Dip (similar but different to baba ganoush) – made with red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, grilled onions, and fresh herbs.
Hummus Dip – crafted from chickpeas, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs.

Sticks (Kebabs)

Chicken
Kefta (Beef & Lamb)
Salmon
Pork
Shrimp
Swordfish

Gyros

Chicken Gyro
Greek Sausage Gyro
Pork Gyro

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Entrees

Moussaka Dinner – made with eggplant, potatoes, seasoned beef sauce, and bechamel.
Roasted Salmon Dinner – served with hummus, lentil salad, confit chickpeas, and lemon dressing.
Roasted ½ Chicken – served with lemon potatoes, fresh herbs, and topped with lemon dressing.
Gyro Platter Dinner – served with greek salad, french fries, roasted tomatoes and peppers)
Grilled Lamb Chops Dinner – served with crumbled greek sausage, spinach, tomatoes, and olives.
Grilled Swordfish Dinner – seasoned with mediterranean spice, and served with spicy feta, roasted veggies, capers, fresh herbs, and tomato vinaigrette.
Lamb Shank Dinner – served with orzo, spinach, tomatoes, capers, and fresh herbs.