A new Greek restaurant is coming to West University Place. Called Kriti Kitchen, it will open soon in the Wesleyan Plaza Shopping Center at 4010 Bissonnet St.
Named for the Greek pronunciation of "Crete," Kriti's menu draws upon chef-owner Mary Cuclis's Greek heritage. The chef plans to serve both a dine-in, all-day brunch menu and a to-go menu of dishes designed to be heated at home.
The chef brings extensive experience to her new venture. Best known locally for her time at Pondicheri, Cuclis also trained at Bo Innovation, a two-star Michelin restaurant in Hong Kong. Growing up oversees, she frequently visited her relatives in the towns of Chania and Heraklion on the island of Crete, where she developed an appreciation for Greek dishes and cooking techniques, according to a release.
“I’m extremely excited to bring our version of Greek cuisine to the West U community,” Cuclis said in a statement. “We want guests to get a real taste of authentic Greek offerings that you might not otherwise find in Houston. Many of the dishes will be made with locally-sourced ingredients, which is a core tenet of Cretan cooking.”
Meals at Kriti will be centered around mezze boards that combine multiple dishes and are designed to be shared. For example, a meat board offers keftedes (beef meatballs), chicken souvlaki, and dolmades. A vegetarian board consists of spanakopita paired with cheeses, crackers, and olives.
Diners may also opt for individual portions of salads — the Cretan is Cuclis's take on the classic Greek salad of cucumber, tomato, and feta — wraps, or bowls. Brunch items include mizithrapita, a cheese-stuffed pancake, and a spinach omelet.
Those who order from the Heat & Eat menu will find dips, sauces, breads, and family-style meals that are sized to feed groups of either two or three people or six to eat. Dishes include pomegranate pork ribs, seasonal salad, and both kinds of moussaka — traditional beef or vegan eggplant.
“All of the ingredients are thoughtfully packaged so that our guests can enjoy meals in their freshest form,” Cuclis added. “Convenience and quality will always be top-of-mind.”
Kriti's beverage options center around espresso drinks and a list of Greek wines.
Photo by Ajna Jai
Choose a mezze board at Kriti Kitchen.
