A Piece of Greece in Chinatown
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It could take a generation of family restauranteurs to open an old school Greek family establishment, or it could take a year. In Kiki's case, it was a year. I don’t know if the staff invited all their friends here when they opened, or if the staff made friends with the regulars after they opened, but Kiki’s Greek restaurant feels like it’s been there for decades and Kiki can't be older than 30. Division Street, the lowest part of the Lower East Side, has become more of a neighborhood because of a few “neighborhood restaurants”, including Fogetmenot (a partner to Kiki's). You get this warm feeling as soon as you enter, especially when Kiki's there to greet you at the door, and the energy is very vibey. She probably works almost every night and I highly recommend going when she's there because she creates the atmosphere. The food is super fast, the wait is long, (so I usually end up eating at the bar), the wine is almost the same price as bottled water and very good, and the food is consistently amazing. My staple order is the Greek salad, Tzatziki, grilled octopus, and the lamb chops. If you want to go crazy, order the Moussaka as well, and you will be beyond spoiled. Make sure you order the baklava for dessert.
I’m happy about the restaurant’s success, but I wish it stayed as a neighborhood place because the word has spread and it can be a little overwhelming. I recommend going either on the earlier or late side, and grabbing a dink at The Leadbelly if you have to wait! All in all, Kiki’s is my go to dinner spot and it’s awesome.
P.S. The sign for the restaurant is actually written in Chinese characters, with no English translation, and it says Kiki’s Greek Tavern. It’s a nod to the neighborhood’s heritage and the space’s previous inhabitant, a Chinese joss-paper shop. The intent wasn't to be a speakeasy and it couldn’t be one if they tried because the salivating customers outside would give it away immediately.
