Avli Restaurant
Greek restaurant · Winnetka ·
Modern Greek fare with saganaki, lamb chops & patio dining
Modern Greek fare with saganaki, lamb chops & patio dining
"A sleek, modern Greek restaurant based in suburban Winnetka with three Chicago locations is preparing to open its first location outside Illinois in Milwaukee’s Brewers Hill neighborhood in spring 2023; co-founded by Louie Alexakis and sportscaster Lou Canellis, the new outpost will occupy the former home of Wolf Peach and longtime local favorite Roots and is positioned to bring new energy to that space." - Naomi Waxman
"Founded by chef and owner Louie Alexakis in suburban Winnetka, the original Avli became a massive hit and even features a crew that includes longtime Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis." - Ashok Selvam
"I consider this new Greek spot an important addition to the River North dining scene; it's the restaurant from chef Louie Alexakis and his crew, with other locations in Lincoln Park and Winnetka. The serious fine-dining independent offers a sophisticated take on staples — baked saganaki topped with peppered fig marmalade and honey stands out — though shared plates are hit or miss: zucchini fritters on a garlic-potato spread are addictive, pork souvlakia arrives overcooked, and thin-cut lamb chops don’t do much flavorwise. The real star for me is the Berkshire pork gyro, presented as a sandwich with so much meat that, even split in two, it’s knife-and-fork eating. Overall it isn’t flawless but it’s a welcome experience at a time when luxury housing starts are gradually pricing Chicago’s Greektown out of existence." - Jeffy Mai
"Avli Taverna is a new Greek restaurant and the second from the owners of Avli in Winnetka. The menu is a bit bolder with a broader, regional reach. Dishes include Saganaki with vlahotiri cheese, figs, and honey, prawns wrapped in shredded phyllo, and papoutsakia. Some miscues like unevenly grilled lamb chops and slightly overcooked sea bass are noted, but the restaurant is off to a promising start." - Jeffy Mai
"Outside Chicago, I’ve seen Avli Estiatorio in Winnetka wow critics for the last two years, and Alexakis is adapting that successful suburban formula for his upcoming city projects." - Ashok Selvam
