The Greek, in OAP, changes chefs, will not open Monday


Welcome to Greece, er, the Greek

Wow, that was fast.

The Greek, the new restaurant taking over the Commissary space in One Arts Plaza, hasn’t even opened yet, and already they’ve changed chefs and pushed back the opening from October 15 to a date that’s in flux.

Taylor Kearney (most recently the sous chef at Boulevardier) took over a head chef of the Greek on Thursday. (The Greek’s former chef is said to have decamped to Cafe des Artistes, the Greek’s yet-to-open neighbor in OAP.)

Mary Arabatzis, who owns The Greek and Ziziki’s with her chef-husband, Costa, admitted the sudden change was unexpected. Ms. Arabatzis said she hopes to open the Greek to customers late this week. In restaurant-speak, that means look to the following week.

Kearney’s pretty talented, so I’m betting this turmoil passes quickly.

Kearney is deep into a menu revamp for the Greek, but he says the theme of small plates, flatbreads and mostly-under-$10 menu items will remain.

“We’ll be making our own pita bread and grilling a lot of meats.” Kearney told me this morning when he spotted me at the One Arts Plaza Fall Festival, where I was judging a cocktail competition. “They want me to focus on a farm to table theme, so we’ll be using a lot of local producers,” including a local source for fresh feta cheese.

The Greek, 1722 Routh Street, Dallas  (214) 999-1311. Valet parking is complimentary at lunch and $5 at dinner with validation.