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New Kid on the Block: Greca
When his plans for a new restaurant in the Sterling Mason fell through, The Greek‘s Tom Galis was undoubtedly disappointed. But things worked out well in the end: “I got a larger space for less rent!” he says.
The additional space has allowed Galis to broaden his plans for Greca. Running from the southern end of the long, light-filled room—it’s in Truffles Tribeca, next to Fika—are a retail bakery/café, a kitchen with its “fetabar,” and a bar/lounge. “This is more casual than what we’re doing at the Greek,” says Galis. Indeed, instead of table service, you order from any of the three counters, and sit in any of the areas.
Greca is ramping up slowly, starting with the bakery and café. Breads and pastries are baked on premises, and the coffee comes from Devoción, which prioritizes freshness. The menu will continue to be expanded, emphasizing food from what are called the Blue Zones—parts of the world where people live the longest. (This is also why Greca occasionally refers to itself as a “Longevity Lab.”) One of the Blue Zones is the Greek island of Ikaria, but the menu will look beyond Greece. And once the liquor license arrives, you’ll be able to order drinks from the bar.
Beyond health-minded ingredients, the Blue Zones are said to have a strong sense of community, something Galis wants to foster at Greca. There’s a communal table, which can be used as shared workspace or for wine tastings, kids’ parties, and other events, and a pair of turntables for later in the evening. But if you’d rather be on your own—or, come spring, take a picnic to Hudson River Park—you can buy bread, olives, and cheese, or shop Greca’s pantry of Greek ingredients. And soon, the restaurant will also launch Greca at Home, which consists of a subscription bread delivery service, meal kits, and heat-and-serve meals.
Greca is at 452 Washington (at Watts); 917-261-4795; grecanyc.com.
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I’m always shocked by the lack of Greek restaurants in Manhattan. Especially fast food places. So this is great news! I can’t wait to try it!
The only problem w feta is that it can be too salty. I’d be nice if they have options for people who have to watch their sodium intake per doctor’s orders. I won’t hold my breath.
The space is beautiful and the pies are delicious. However the sweet challah was $20 for the smallest, driest loaf of bread I have ever purchased. Hopefully they can refine the recipe but it was rock hard and dry.
My husband, son and I popped in last Friday night to see the space. A fresh loaf of bread had just come out of the oven – truly it was the most delicious bread we’ve ever had. Can’t wait to go back!
As a fan of the Greek (and Greek myself), I was excited to check out Greca but I am beyond disappointed. This place lacks an identity, the food is nowhere near the quality of the Greek (but the price isn’t adjusted downwards enough to make up for that) and what started out as a comfortable place for me to get work done and catch up with a friend turned into a club as it got later. Except there was almost no one there so I’m not sure who the thumping beats were for. Friend and I couldn’t hold a conversation comfortably. It would work as a chill lounge/bar but not a fan of the current nighttime state.