When was the last time a formidable Greek restaurant opened in Los Angeles? Unlike the saturation of other ethnic fare, L.A. sits on the line of a Greek food desert. Inotheke, the new modern Greek restaurant in Santa Monica aims to change that and it opens Dec. 1.
The dining destination is from Carolos Tomazos, who has managed some of the most elite houses in the business, including Ducasse, Per Se and Le Bernardin. More locally, he formerly partnered with Chef Brendan Collins on revered Waterloo & City. But now Tomazos aims to bring the cuisine of this homeland (namely Cyprus) to the masses.
The menu showcases a variety of favorites like Tyropitakia, a cheese pie with Haloumi and Kaseri cheeses, mint and red peppers wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo dough; cod fritters with Skordalia (garlic sauce); grilled calamari salad with cannellini beans and fennel; braised lamb in a tomato sauce served with orzo; and shrimp “saganaki” with tomato sauce, feta and ouzo.
“This is the kind of food that makes you feel good,” laughs Tomazos. “Great ingredients, and clean, healthy cooking. I try not to overthink it.”
Inotheke translates to “wine case,” and their wine list offers 20 varietals by the glass, 60 by bottle—most from the US, France, Spain and Italy (two from Greece)—along with four rotating draft beers and 12 bottled beers.
Expect to dine a few blocks from the Third Street Promenade in a modern and bright space, lined with floor to ceiling glass windows that wrap around the storefront. The restaurant features an open kitchen separated from the dining room by mosaic-like ceramic tiled dividers dotted in blue, eggshell and yellow.
Inotheke is open daily for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner from 5:30-10 p.m.
606 Broadway Ave., Santa Monica, 310.458.3366. inotheke.com