Platia Greek Kitchen opens in ‘cursed’ Syosset location

Platia Greek Kitchen has opened in Syosset at the intersection of Berry Hill and Muttonwood-Eastwood roads. The spot — attractive, with plenty of parking — nonetheless has had more than a dozen occupants in the last 16 years, most recently another Greek restaurant, Nissos.

Nick Nerantzinis, who owns the restaurant with his father, George Nerantzinis, and Gregory Spanos, acknowledged the location has had a troubled past but said, “We like that challenge.” Nick and George owned the Celebrity Diner on Jericho Turnpike until they sold it two years ago; they are also related to the owners of the North Ritz Club, a catering facility next to the diner.

The menu at Platia, Nick said, is “traditional Greek with a modern touch — and isn’t too high end.” Starters include house specialties such as Feta Me Meli (baked feta wrapped in phyllo dough topped with sesame seeds, honey and fig jam, $14) and Platia Mac & Cheese Balls (fried, panko-crusted balls of elbow pasta bound with feta and manouri cheeses, $9). At dinner, grilled fish and meat entrees can approach $30, but there are also gyro platters and baked entrees (moussaka and the like) for under $18. Gyros are not made from processed ground meat but from stacks of sliced chicken ($15) or pork ($14). The lunch menu is heavy on salads and sandwiches, most of which are under $15.

Platia’s chef is Michael Giannakis, previously the executive chef at the Barclay Center’s 40/40 Club and, before that, a corporate chef with senior positions at Citi Field and NYU. His restaurant experience includes Rao’s and Avra in Manhattan.

For those of you keeping track, Platia replaces Nissos, which opened in June 2014 and closed in October 2015. It was preceded by Toast & Tapas (2012), Americana 516 Kitchen & Bar (2012), 516 American Kitchen & Bar (2011), Moules et Frites (2009), Pomodorino, Ohana Luau Hawaiian BBQ (2006), Umi (2005), Asia Palace (2004), Pulau (2003), Penang (2001), Royal Ruby (1994) and Fu Ho (1990). The building was once a Friendly’s.

Platia Greek Kitchen is at 4 Berry Hill Rd, Syosset, 516-921-3311, platia-syosset.com