Yefsi Estiatorio Showcases the Greek Isles On the UES

By James Mulcahy

JBird isn't the only new opening to spice up the Upper East Side's dining scene. We just got word about recently opened Greek joint, Yefsi Estiatorio, an eatery all the way over on York Avenue that's billing itself as a "contemporary Greek taverna." The neighborhood-centric restaurant is from Christos Christou, a native of Cyprus who worked in the kitchen of Manhattan's Molyvos back in the day.

Here, he puts the focus on mezedes, or traditional small plates that are meant to be shared. The rustic cuisine includes options like house-made country sausage with pork, coriander, orange zest and red wine or a ground beef Mousaka with eggplant and béchamel. The space, which opened around two weeks ago, runs with the rustic vibe - there are big wood beams supporting the ceiling and bottles of Greek wine lining the walls (vino from the mother country plays a large part on the restaurant's wine list).
Area residents should look forward to the warmer months, when the restaurant will debut a garden seating area along with a smaller patio out in the front. Just think - it's already late January - only a few more months to go. More info here (1481 York Ave.; 212-535-0293).