Aberdeen’s Westburn Park is now residence to a brand new avenue meals unit as Simply Greek has opened its hatch.
Positioned adjoining to Westburn Home, it has taken roughly 12 months for co-owners Lefki Christodoulou and Spiridon Varvatakos to rework the catering unit which was bought from a provider in Inverness.
Formally opening to the general public on Tuesday (June 6), the principle product at Simply Greek is genuine Greek gyros.
Nevertheless, it would additionally serve a spread of burgers, fries with a wide range of toppings, salads and vegan and vegetarian choices.
A style of Greece in Aberdeen
Spiridon and Lefki beforehand owned Golden Grill, a avenue meals van which is positioned in Bridge of Don Industrial Property and affords a combination of Scottish and Greek dishes.
This enterprise might be taken over by new administration within the close to future.
Simply Greek, Spiridon says, “is the pure continuation” of the duo’s earlier identify.
“We have been bowled over by the native individuals’s love for the Greek meals we supplied at Golden Grill,” the top chef added.
“Prospects saved mentioning how our Greek gyros have been bringing again reminiscences from their holidays in Greece. Subsequently we needed a extra centrally positioned venue that may focus extra on Greek meals.”
Spiridon, who now resides in Aberdeen, has been keen about cooking for the reason that age of 11 and went on to pursue it as a profession as soon as ending faculty.
The 41-year-old has since labored in a number of eating places and resorts in each Greece and Scotland, together with Miller & Carter in Aberdeen, earlier than pursuing his dream of beginning a avenue meals enterprise.
“Avenue meals is a vital a part of Greek tradition,” Spiridon says. “This unit offers us the chance to supply restaurant-quality meals at reasonably priced costs.
“I needed to deliver one thing I actually like to Aberdeen and share a chunk of Greece with individuals right here.”
Primary dish costs at Simply Greek vary from £3.50 to £16 whereas sides are priced from £1 to £8.
The menu options sizzling breakfast rolls, grilled halloumi, a triple meat burger and vegan pita, to call a number of dishes.
Service with a ‘pleasant Mediterranean angle’
Spiridon emphasised that a whole lot of time was spent perfecting the look of Simply Greek forward of its launch. He stated: “It took us virtually a 12 months to have it prepared.
“We’re primarily based at an vital park so we wanted to verify our venue suits in with the encircling setting and that it’s geared up appropriately for the type of meals it would provide.
“That’s the most important purpose for the delay.”
The co-owners are already hoping to increase the group by recruiting one or two extra workers. They usually intend on giving again to native service heroes.
Spiridon went on to say: “We’re trying ahead to welcoming again our prospects and assembly many new ones that can actually be tempted to strive our meals.
“As a result of location of Simply Greek, we hope to serve not simply the native residents and customers of the park, but additionally the employees and sufferers on the close by hospital.
“As a recognition for his or her laborious work and sacrifices they need to make, we’ve got determined to supply a 15% low cost to NHS workers in addition to hearth service, police and coastguard workers.”
Lefki added: “We’ll try to supply actual genuine Greek meals served with Mediterranean herbs, spices and olive oil.
“Prospects will definitely admire our pleasant and chatty Mediterranean angle and our ardour for the produce we’re providing.”
Simply Greek is open from 10am to three.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 10am to 6pm from Thursday to Saturday. The unit may even be open from 10am to 6pm on Sundays come August.
