[EXCLUSIVE] Kouzina Christos to be "Reimagined" in Familiar East Cobb Space

ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that Christos Giannes plans to open a new Greek restaurant later this year in East Cobb.  Giannes closed his popular Kouzina Christos Greek eatery December 5 at Terrell Mill Village after about four decades in business.  The new restaurant will reportedly be similar to, but not an exact replica of Kouzina Christos.  Many East Cobb area residents will be familiar with the space Giannes has leased as it was home to the popular pizzeria Aurelio's for nearly nine years before the restaurant's November 2020 closure.  

Giannes, 66, said at the time of his restaurant's closure that "My fantastic staff and I will take a long overdue break while looking at options to re-imagine the next chapter of Kouzina Christos."  This new restaurant, which Giannes tells ToNeTo Atlanta will plan to incorporate a "social benefit," is seemingly that plan realized.  ToNeTo Atlanta first got wind of the planned restaurant in early January with Giannes telling us March 10 that he is "99.9999%" sure he will make a formal announcement of the planned restaurant next week.

Our report on the closure of Kouzina Christos was met with tremendous sadness on our website and social channels and its reintroduction will surely please many.  The new 3,159 square foot restaurant is smaller than its 5,500 square foot predecessor and is about seven miles away from its former Terrell Mill Village home.   With more than forty years in the business and the hope that some of his same staff will come back to open the new restaurant, there is reason to be hopeful this new endeavor will do just as well as its predecessor.  

If you were a regular of Kouzina Christos, Giannes has in the months since the restaurant's closure continued to update the eatery's facebook page and also recently shared a rather insightful interview he did with "rebel chef" and founder of Eclipse di Luna and Loca Luna, Paul Luna.  Luna, who now lives in Switzerland, has also interviewed several other Atlanta chefs in recent weeks, including Steven Satterfield, Jake Rothschild and Savannah Sasser, among others, and his "F&B Lunacy" YouTube channel is definitely worth a follow.  

In Market Plaza (1255 Johnson Ferry Road), the new Christos eatery will join other popular neighborhood restaurants already in the center including Bagelicious, Fuji Hana, Ali's Cookies, Mediterranean Grill and Red Sky Tapas & Bar, among others.  

3/19 Update: Giannes plans to reopen Christos in June!  

Are you excited for the return of Christos to the East Cobb dining scene?  What is your favorite Greek dish? What type of restaurant would you most like to see open in East Cobb?

Please share your thoughts below.