The Athenian will not be reopening on 10th Street

The Athenian NYC, the well-liked Greek tapas bar on 10th Street from the team behind the Immigrant, will not be reopening. It had been shut since the COVID-19 PAUSE went into effect this past March.

"There wasn't enough clarity from the state/federal governments on re-opening plans to give us confidence moving forward," owner Jason Corey told me via email. "Although we loved our space and poured our blood and sweat into it (no tears), our lease was coming due and we decided not to renew."

The Athenian debuted in February 2018 at 224 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. Before Corey opened the Immigrant Wine Bar on Ninth Street in 2009, he tended bar at Molyvos, a Greek restaurant near Carnegie Hall, and spent time there getting to know and appreciate Greek wines.

Meanwhile, the Immigrant continues on with outdoor dining (and takeout and delivery) on Ninth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. And Athenian fans will recognize Chef Max, who's now helping out behind the scenes at the Immigrant.

The Athenian NYC, now serving Mediterranean fare on 10th Street

Before Jason Corey opened The Immigrant Wine Bar on Ninth Street in 2009, he tended bar at Molyvos, a Greek restaurant near Carnegie Hall.

Corey and Kamal Kouiri, the current wine director and GM at Molyvos, spent years drinking Greek wine together.

Now the two have opened their own Greek cafe. The Athenian NYC debuted last Thursday at 224 E. 10th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The small space was previously home to Graffiti, the well-regarded restaurant from chef Jehangir Mehta.

"The landlords are extremely nice people, so when I heard the space was going to be vacant, we jumped on it," Corey told me.

At the Athenian, he said people can expect to find "great Mediterranean food, delicious Greek wines, and happy servers and chefs."

The kitchen is open daily from 5-11 p.m. More info will be coming to their website soon.