Kouzina Niata

New Mile End Spot Dishes Out Classic Greek Food | Eater Montreal

"Opened January 15 by Angelis Sarbanis and Lampros Tsalamengas, I saw they scrapped an initial sit-down plan because of the pandemic and turned the space into an épicerie-style, grab-and-go spot with a takeout fridge; the layout and signature terrazzo were designed by Atelier Zébulon Perron. The menu spotlights rustic Greek dishes they grew up eating—flaky phyllo pies such as kotopita (roast chicken, grilled veggies, and cheese), spanakopita layered with spinach and barrel-aged feta, and kreatopita (braised meat)—each priced $5.50–$6.50 (taxes included). On the sweet side there’s baklava cheesecake, chocolate chip halva cookies, and crunchy double-baked paximadia, and daily offerings include hearty soups, moussaka casseroles, and pastitsio (a baked ground-meat and béchamel pasta dish that Sarbanis insists is better than a 'Greek lasagna'). A small grocery section stocks imported products, including olive oil from Niata. Named after the village in Greece’s Peloponnese where Sarbanis’s family is from, the shop occupies the former La Crêpière at 221 St-Viateur West, currently has limited seating for roughly 10 at bar and window stools (not allowed right now), and is open Tuesday–Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m." - Valerie Silva