5 hours Ago By Lisa Hay
Nerina, the latest venture from the team behind Nerai, is set to open in Greenpoint this month. Led by co-owners Spiro Menegatos and Christos Gourmos, Nerina will offer a culinary journey through Greece, featuring a sophisticated mezze-style menu made for sharing and exploring a wide range of flavors. This new restaurant, which comes nearly 12 years after the opening of Nerai in Midtown East, will provide an elegant yet relaxed dining atmosphere, complete with a vibrant bar.
Executive Chef Moshe Grundman has created a menu full of modern twists on traditional Greek recipes. A focus solely on Greek wines will highlight the diverse and rich flavors from wine regions across Greece and its diverse islands. Nerina will also embrace the Greek tradition of philoxenia, or “friend to a stranger,” ensuring guests are welcomed into a warm and hospitable environment, embodying the true essence of Greek hospitality with every visit.
Moshe Grundman, the Executive Chef at Nerina, has been with Nerai since 2017, bringing with him a rich culinary background and a passion for Mediterranean cuisine. Born and raised in Jerusalem, Moshe developed his love for cooking at an early age, inspired by his father. His Mediterranean upbringing deeply influences his approach to Greek cuisine, infusing traditional Greek dishes with a unique Mediterranean flair.
A graduate of the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York City, Moshe’s culinary journey includes working as a Sous Chef at the Michelin-starred Oceana and leading the kitchen at Sixty5 On Main in Nyack, New York. At Nerina, Moshe will showcase his expertise with exotic, high-quality ingredients to blend flavors from various cultures around the Mediterranean, offering a distinctive and refined dining experience. Nerina will offer an array of small Greek plates presented in a mezze-style – perfect for sharing and exploring flavors.
Dishes will embrace fresh and seasonal ingredients, while blending together familiar tastes and modern innovations. Guests can enjoy house-made pita paired with various Greek spreads, vibrant salads, and fresh seafood options like fluke crudo, tuna tartare, grilled octopus, Cretan spiced scallops, and lobster pasta, while larger plates designed for two or more guests feature options like lamb chops and whole grilled fish. Wine Director Dimitrios Karagiannis, a native of Grevena, Greece, developed his love for wine during his childhood when his grandfather would carry him in a harvest basket through the family vineyards.
After pursuing a degree in journalism in Athens, Dimitrios worked for several media organizations and became a member of the Journalists’ Union. Seeking a fresh opportunity, he relocated to New York, where he transitioned into the hospitality industry. This move allowed him to reconnect with his roots, sharing wines from the vineyards he explored as a child.
Dedicated to continuous learning and innovation, Dimitrios has been an integral part of the Nerai team since 2018, shaping its wine culture for the future. Now serving as Wine Director at Nerina, he is passionate about crafting unforgettable experiences for guests. Nerina presents an all-Greek wine list, showcasing the unique and rich heritage of Greek varietals.
This curated selection emphasizes organic and biodynamic wines, highlighting Greece’s dedication to natural winemaking and environmentally friendly practices. Each bottle reflects the diversity of the country’s terroirs, bringing forward both traditional and lesser-known Greek varietals that perfectly complement the restaurant’s authentic flavors. Drawing inspiration from Greek cuisine’s vibrant, fresh flavors, the Nerina cocktail list will feature an array of handcrafted cocktails highlighting Mediterranean ingredients, infused spirits, house-made syrups, and tinctures.
General Manager Michael Kasimis, born and raised in Athens, Greece, grew up in the vibrant coastal suburb of Glyfada. He spent five seasons on the island of Mykonos, gaining expertise in luxury retail while immersing himself in the island’s renowned culinary culture. Influenced by American culture, Michael moved to New York in 2005 and, drawn to hospitality, launched a successful restaurant career.
As part of Michelin-starred chef Michael Psilakis’ team, he enhanced operations and guest experiences. For the past 12 years, he was a key member of The Avra Group, contributing to the success of its acclaimed establishments. With his Greek heritage, attention to detail, and hospitality expertise, Michael has seamlessly blended authentic Mediterranean culture with New York City’s vibrant dining scene.
Nerina draws deep inspiration from the understated elegance of 1970s Athenian apartment lobbies, offering a fresh, yet nostalgic interpretation of the iconic Greek design. The bar, which seats 20, takes root in the center of the restaurant, with an expansive indoor dining room to its left and a glass-enclosed outdoor dining area to its right. Aged cherry paneling and Nerina’s deep green marble bartop echo the tones and textures often found in classical Greek interiors, while the high ceilings and clean stone surfaces create an airy, open atmosphere.
A standout feature of the dining room is a striking olive tree, symbolic of Greek heritage and tranquility. The space also incorporates subtle references to Athenian style, from the carefully selected art collection that features works from both local and international artists, and evokes the balance between ancient and modern Greek aesthetics, to architectural elements like the Greek pergola and glass-paneled outdoor dining area, reminiscent of Greece’s seaside villas. The design, executed by CKMS Workshop speaks to the authenticity and beauty of Greek style.
Nerina seats 85 and is 3,500 square feet inside, with a 1500 square foot patio (with heated outdoor seating coming this Spring). Days & Hours of Operation: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 5PM – 10PM and Friday, Saturday 5PM – 11PM. Nerina is located at 35 Commercial Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222.
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