Almyra, A Modern Greek Restaurant, Opens in Rittenhouse This Month

-Courtesy of Punch Media
photo by Gab Bonghi

Almyra, a new vibrant Greek restaurant and bar from the acclaimed Estia Restaurant Group, is open at 17^th and Chancellor Streets in the heart of Philadelphia, just one block from Rittenhouse Square. Named after the Greek Goddess of sea breeze, Almyra will transport guests to the sandy beaches of the Aegean Sea starting early December.

Part of the noted Estia Restaurant Group, pioneers of Greek cuisine in Philadelphia for nearly two decades, Almyra promises an authentic dining experience rooted in family tradition with global influences. Guests will enjoy a lineup of dishes from an open kitchen such as whole fish; crudo; rotisserie and grilled meats; skewers; and a variety of Greek-inspired appetizers, dips and spreads. Dishes can be paired with a rotating beverage menu boasting Greek spirits, liqueurs, and wines, such as Ouzo, Metaxa, Rakomelo, Mastiha, and more.

Menu highlights include:

SPREADS

·      Tirokafteri // whipped feta, parmesan, jalapeño, lemon

·      Patzaria // beets, lemon, labneh, garlic

SALADS

·      Almyra Salad // cucumbers, hearts of palm, kefalograviera, olives

·      Greek Village Salad // tomato, cucumber and red onion, topped with feta mousse and dakos

RAW

·      Greco Roll // salmon, sushi rice, cucumber topped with tarama and spicy mayo

·      Crispy Rice // tuna, avocado, green olive tapenade

MEZZE

·      Shrimp // Kadaifi wrapped jumbo shrimp served with spicy mayo and olive aioli

·      Charred Octopus // grilled, served with red bell pepper, onion, capers, fava puree

·      Tiropita Wonton // feta, cream, Greek hot honey

MAINS

·   Lamb Chops // herb-marinated Australian lamb, grilled and served with fried layered potatoes

·      Short Ribs // slow braised beef  with creamy feta mash

·      Lavraki // whole grilled seabass, ladolemono

·      Lobster Pasta // butter-poached, creamy roasted tomato, feta

KEBABS

·      Chicken // Ground chicken thighs and Greek spices

·      Steak // Filet mignon, onion, lemon, and olive oil topped with parsley chimichurri

·      Shrimp // METAXA, ladolemono, red onion, cherry tomato

From the moment guests enter the window-lined corner restaurant at 1636 Chancellor Street they will instantly be transported to the idyllic coastal towns and luxe beach clubs of Greece. The 7,000 square foot space boasts a bright and airy 200-seat open-concept dining room with Grecian design elements drawing inspiration from the buildings, homes, and sights of the Mediterranean shoreline utilizing neutral colors, natural materials, and textured fabrics, complemented by cascading florals and greenery. A 45-seat custom-made marble-top bar sits to the right of the dining room with a sizable handmade chandelier complete with 177 glass roses serving as the focal point. Adjacent to the bar, a large wall installation designed by a friend of the Pashalis family (Estia Restaurant Group) draws the eye. The artwork features driftwood from the beaches in the family’s hometown of Nafpaktos, Greece.

“I want our guests to feel like they’re on vacation,” said Gus Pashalis, Regional Manager at Estia Restaurant Group. “This restaurant is designed to transport diners to the Greek Islands, from the food and beverage menus to thoughtful additions and purposeful design choices. The windows will all open to the street so our guests can enjoy a Santorini-like sea breeze while they eat and drink; there will be fresh florals and greenery throughout, similar to many European cities. We also installed a state-of-the-art JBL sound system feeding a lively bar scene into the late evening. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard in a restaurant.”

Almyra will open with dinner service 4pm-10pm daily; the bar will be open until 11 pm Wednesday and Thursday and 12 am Friday and Saturday with snacks from the kitchen. Guests can also enjoy happy hour food and beverage specials Monday-Friday, 4-6 pm.

Group bookings will be available upon opening. The semi-private dining room located at the rear of the restaurant boasts 30 seats at beautiful timber tables with windows on one side of the room, a wine display on the other. 

Almyra is the fourth restaurant concept from the Estia Restaurant Group including Estia in Philadelphia (1405-1407 Locust Street); Estia Taverna in Marlton, NJ (140 W Route 70) and Radnor, PA (222 N. Radnor Chester Road).

For more information and to stay up to date on Almyra’s opening news, please visit almyrarestaurant.com. Reservations are now available on Resy.