Greek Restaurant Renaissance in Chicago — Ithaki Estiatorio

Chicago’s Greektown used to be a beloved dining hub, but in recent years, gentrification and economic shifts have dulled its charm. However, this newly opened spot is serving modern Greek cuisine so good it feels like a revival! 🐟 Squid Ink Pasta with Dungeness Crab — Praised even by my dad! Creamy squid ink pasta piled high with crab meat — my dad, who rarely likes Western food, couldn’t stop eating. (The crab shell is just for show — the server whisked it away right after my photo 😅) 🐟 Complimentary cucumber yogurt dip served right after seating — a nice touch. 🔥 Traditional Saganaki (flamed cheese) The server ignited it tableside with a loud “Opa!” — great energy, though a bit salty. Still, the best saganaki I’ve had remains at Greek Island. 🥗 Horiatiki (village salad) with tomato, onion, bell pepper, olives — we skipped the feta. Refreshing, but tomatoes were off-season and a bit bland. 🐟 Grilled Orata (sea bream) — today’s catch Worth every praise — firm, fresh, naturally sweet. As someone who grew up by the sea, finding seafood in Chicago this fresh — tasting of the sea, not just seasoning — is rare. 🍖 Grilled Lamb Chops — incredibly tender and juicy, but way too much to finish! Ended up taking leftovers for lunch the next day. Like Greek Island, they offer free valet parking (just tip). The restaurant is genuinely great — a bit pricey, but worth it. 📍 Ithaki Estiatorio 314 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661 #FoodieSummer #ChicagoLife #ChicagoEats #ChicagoDining #GlobalFoodieChallenge