Updates:
Here’s a link to the announcement of Elia Taverna opening.
Here’s a link to photos of Elia Taverna.
1. It’s closing Friday.
2. A Mexican restaurant will likely take its place, although another big player in the pub world is also looking at the space.
3. Owner Rui Cunha is opening a Greek restaurant called Elia Taverna in Eastchester in the fall.
4. And … Cunha is planning on launching a bottled version of his famous sangria. He’ll be calling it Beso.
Make your rezzys quick — and be sure to order the sangria.
All the deets, after the jump.
Owner Rui Cunha says his Oporto restaurant was on a five-year plan, and even though the economy is bad, he’s actually doing better than he ever has as far as customers and business. But rather than wait to see if his success would continue, he says he prefers to quit while he’s ahead. The last day for dinners at Oporto are Friday.
He can’t confirm who will be going in the new space — just that someone will. More details on that as they become available.
As for the new restaurant, Rui is teaming up with his brother-in-law, chef Michalli (Mike) Sarris, who currently cooks at Stamna Taverna in Bloomfeld, N.J. He also cooked for six years at each Telly’s Taverna and Dimitri’s Seafood Restaurant, both in Astoria.
They’re opening Elia Taverna at 502 New Rochelle Road in Bronxville — or rather Chester Heights in Eastchester — in the spot where Babbone and Spaghetti Western used to be (and La Lanterna before that).
It will seat 55 and have a takeout area in front for souvlaki and meze and other casual dishes. In the back will be a rustic dining room with wood and earth tones where people can enjoy entrees and dinner. They hope to open in November.
As for the Beso sangria — Rui says he’ll be bottling it at 6.2 percent alcohol, which means it can be sold at supermarkets. He’s got the graphics and design done and gets the new bottle this week. The flavors will be white, red, white strawberry, watermelon and peach. You’ll be able to mix it with rum or chambord or brandy as you see fit.
For now, the 411 on Oporto.
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Oporto on Neighborhood Eats.
Jimmy Fink on the sangria at Oporto.
1 Comment
Opening a Greek taverna in Chester Heights is great news! It would be a wonderful addition to the dining mix in this area…