News Summary
Lexington’s Fayette Mall is about to welcome a new and improved Athenian Grill, a shift from the originally planned Santorini restaurant. The expanded Athenian Grill will provide a delightful dine-in and carryout experience featuring beloved Greek dishes. Owner Ilias Pappas faced challenges with Santorini and is now focused on delivering a fulfilling culinary experience at the new location. Opening is set for late April, bringing a diverse menu that includes classics like saganaki, souvlaki, and more, ensuring a treat for Greek cuisine lovers.
Exciting Changes at Fayette Mall: Athenian Grill Takes the Spotlight!
Lexington locals, get ready for some scrumptious news! The highly-anticipated Greek restaurant Santorini was initially set to open at Fayette Mall, but things have changed for its owner. Ilias Pappas, the culinary mastermind behind the restaurant, has made a shift in plans and is channeling his energy into a new bigger and better concept: an expanded Athenian Grill.
A Culinary Dream Evolves
Pappas, who announced the opening of Santorini last summer, has decided to pivot his approach due to some pesky execution issues that disrupted his vision for the previously planned Greek eatery. Instead, he will be serving up a larger sit-down experience inspired by the beloved Athenian Grill, which had a cozy home in Locust Hill until it closed in 2019. Since then, Pappas has received countless requests from eager customers wanting that delightful dine-in experience again. Why not listen to the folks, right?
Where’s Santorini? Not Gone, Just on Hold!
While Santorini may be getting a timeout, Pappas is on a quest to find the perfect space for his original idea. For now, the spotlight is shining on the new Athenian Grill location at 3801 Mall Rd. #120, in the previous home of Saul Good Restaurant & Pub, conveniently located near Fayette Mall. Pappas faced some hurdles with the open-kitchen design for Santorini which involved a complicated setup, leaving him to rethink his plans entirely.
Bigger and Better Grill Experience
The upcoming Athenian Grill promises not only to satisfy your cravings with mouth-watering Greek specialties but also to offer a fantastic dining experience with both table service and counter service. Plus, carryout options will be available for those on the go! As an added bonus, Pappas is determined to improve delivery times by setting up a dedicated kitchen on the south side of Lexington. That’s a victory for anyone who yearns for delicious Greek food at home.
Feast Your Eyes on the Menu
The new Athenian Grill isn’t just any restaurant; it’ll feature an expanded menu with delightful dishes that will surely tantalize your taste buds. Prepare to indulge in Greek favorites like saganaki (the fabulous flaming cheese), souvlaki (grilled skewers of goodness), baked feta wrapped in phyllo, grilled octopus, savory lamb shank, and gemista (stuffed peppers and tomatoes)! If that doesn’t get your mouth watering, we don’t know what will.
When Can You Dig In?
The new Athenian Grill is on track to open its doors in late April, and it will be serving up lunch and dinner daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. That means plenty of opportunities to share a delicious meal with friends or family, or to grab a quick bite for yourself!
Please Make Parking a Priority!
Although Pappas has experienced some challenges with the existing Athenian Grill locations on South Ashland and downtown Lexington, including limited parking and some construction setbacks, he is optimistic that this new Fayette Mall location will offer better accessibility and a more efficient dining experience. It’s all about making sure you can enjoy your favorite Greek dishes without the hassle!
Stay Updated on the Athenian Grill
Excited to see what’s cooking? You can keep an eye out for updates and sneak peeks by visiting the Athenian Grill’s website at atheniangrill.com. With this delicious transformation happening in your neighborhood, it’s a fantastic time to be a fan of Greek cuisine!
So mark your calendars, Lexington, because a flavorful Greek feast is just around the corner!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Kentucky News
- Wikipedia: Greek Cuisine
- Kentucky.com: LexGoEat Restaurants
- Google Search: Greek Restaurants Near Me
- Fay Observer: New Restaurants in Fayetteville
- Google Scholar: Greek Cuisine
- Kentucky.com: More Restaurants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greek Cuisine
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
