Petros Taverna Fort Lauderdale Featured in Sun Sentinel Newspaper Story

 FORT LAUDERDALE

From Montreal, a new Greek restaurant to remodel the space beside historic Gateway Cinema 

By Ben Crandell 

South Florida Sun Sentinel

The answer to the buzz about what’s happening behind the papered windows next to Fort Lauderdale’s historic Gate-way Cinema is in: A new Greek restaurant is under construction with a goal to open in April.

The former Mod Sixties Wine Lounge  just east of the Gateway Cinema, is being renovated and a new Greek restaurant is preparing for an April opening. 

AMY BETH BENNETT/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL 

 

The 120-seat eatery — including 45 seats on a remodeled sidewalk in the shadow of the movie theater’s iconic marquee — is by Montreal-based restaurateur Ted Dranias, well known across Quebec’s largest city for his four Petros Taverna restaurants.

The space at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Northeast 19th Avenue was the former home of long-shuttered Mod Wine Lounge.

While Dranias says the menu will be “a carbon copy” of Petros Taverna, he has not quite settled on a name for the new spot.

The smart money is on a variation of Petros Fort Lauderdale, as one Montreal publication dubbed it. Dranias acknowl-edges the brand will mean something to local snowbird Quebecers, in particular those from Montreal’s Jewish neighbor-hood of Westmount, home to one Petros Taverna.

“Everybody knows me here,” the affable Dranias, 60, says by phone from Montreal. “They even asked me to run for mayor at one point, and I said I’m not interested. … I’m born and raised here, and the politics in Quebec, well, you might lose your hair. I have nice, beautiful, thick hair. I don’t want to lose my hair. [Laughs]”

In Montreal, Petros Taverna is well-re-garded for its attractive, tiled and terraced charms and affordable survey of Greek classics, with seafood a specialty.

A reviewer for the Montreal Gazette acknowledged a few letdowns, but recom-mended Petros “because the highs are high … and the service is both efficient and friendly.”

Dranias says he’ll open with two chefs brought in from Estiatorio Milos, a white-tablecloth restaurant in New York.

Along with an interior remodel, the exterior of the Fort Lauderdale restaurant will be transformed with a white-washed brick look and Mediterranean accents. The sidewalk dining space will be bordered by greenery along the street.

Dranias says it’s a $500,000 renovation, but he’s confident in the Fort Lauderdale market, which he knows well. He has had a condo in Victoria Park since shortly after his friend Tony Di Leo opened Il Mulino next to Gateway Cinema more than 30 years ago.

“I like Fort Lauderdale. I like the people, the sunshine. They give me a lot of energy,” Dranias says. “At 60 years old, I want to go for a run on the beach and then come to work and have fun, you know?”

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com.

Petros Taverna Westmount supports another fundraising lunch for St. George's Cathedral

 Here is a message from the team at St. George Cathedral:

On behalf of Bishop Iakovos of Zenoupolis, we are very pleased to announce our upcoming 'pick up/delivery' Lenten lunch fundraiser which will be held on Sunday, April 4, 2021. 

Ted Dranias, owner of Petros Taverna, along with his staff, will prepare a delicious 'seafood pasta' meal. Salad, bread and dessert included! The ladies of St George Philoptochos will prepare homemade spanakopites

Experiencing the period of Holy Lent and heading towards Holy Pascha, we combine our spiritual struggle and effort with the expression of love for our beautiful St. George Cathedral. 

Your love and support is our strength! 

Our major donors for this event are:

Mrs. Elli Kourtidou and family donated $1,500

In loving memory of their beloved husband and father Yianni.

&

Kyriakos and Katerina Polymenakos donated $1,500  

Message from the family...

“ Have a blessed Easter. May you celebrate with health and happines”

We are deeply grateful!

Once again, we will be offering delivery service to your homes. We’d like to assure you that our drivers will be wearing masks and we kindly ask that you wear your mask when answering the door.

Pick up at Petros Taverna Westmount location is also available, for reserved meals only, as of 12:30 PM

Cost $30/meal

We would also like to warmly thank:

Anonymous donor for the seafood  

Serano Bakery for the dessert (baklava)

Peter Koukos, Director of Sales and Business Development, Premiere Moisson, for the bread

Please place your order by Saturday, April 3, 2021 by calling 514-813-4052 or email stgeorgephiloptochosmont@gmail.com

"I SUPPORT" St. George Cathedral  

As you may be aware, His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Zenoupolis announced the launch of the "I SUPPORT" St. George Cathedral fundraising campaign on  March 12, 2021, providing much needed financial support for the ongoing operations, repairs and restoration of our beloved St George Cathedral.  Learn more on how to make a monthly or annual donation: hcgm.org/donate/st-george.

St-George Cathedral teams up with Petros Taverna for Feb. 7 fundraising lunch

St.-GeorgeCathedral  in Côtes des Neiges will hold a pickup and delivery fundraising lunch on Sunday, February 7, partnering with Ted Dranias of Petros Taverna Westmount. Dranias and his team have been providing meals to charities and frontline workers since the COVID-19 pandemic began last spring.

St.-George Cathedral, located at 2455 Cote St. Catherine Road, was designed by world-renowned architects Dimitris Dimakopoulos and Kimon Karagiannis and inaugurated on May 28th 1961.

Bags are lined up for pickup at Petros for the last fundraiser.

Dranias has been providing meals for their fundraisers for many months. Before the lockdown procedures were put into place he and members of his team made the lunches at the church. When the doors were closed to the church in January, Dranias offered the pickup or delivery option from his Westmount location.

 Those who sign up  will dine on lamb shank with orzo kokkinisto and mizithra on the side, Greek style, with a Tiropita (cheese pie), salad, bread  and dessert.

 The  Efraimidis family  has generously donated $1,500 in memory of their beloved husband, father and grandfather Gregory towards this event.

 Pat Tambakologos,  President of the Laconian Association and Justine Frangouli, multi-published author/journalist, blogger pickup their meals.

 

 

Petros Taverna and the church wish to assure everyone that all safety measures will be taken. Drivers will be wearing masks and gloves. It is being requested that  people wear their masks when answering the door and to have the exact amount of the cost of the meal ($30). Pick up at Petros Taverna, Westmount is available, for reserved meals only, starting at Noon. Please place your order by Friday, February 5 by calling 514-813-4052 or by email at stgeorgephiloptochosmont@gmail.com

At the last sold out Pickup and Delivery  Vasilopita lunch hosted by Petros, a draw took place for a gold coin. Bishop Iakovos announced the winning number during his live stream broadcast. Congratulations to Alexander Tsinas,

Besides  Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount,  Petros has locations on Laurier Avenue in Outremont, William Street in Griffintown and St. Dominique in Little Italy (currently closed). For more details go to www.restaurantpetros.ca.

 

Petros Taverna launches special holiday menu

Petros Taverna Montreal owner Ted Dranias has announced that beginning on Monday, December 7, he will be offering special home cooked holiday meals through to New Year’s.

The specials being offered are for groups of four to six , or eight to 10 people, starting at $65, and they all include standard sides of greek potatoes and basmati rice. 

Here are the selections:

• Stuffed Pork Loin, with  spinach goat cheese and feta  
• Roasted glazed ham   .
• Roasted pork shoulder, with a Greek herb rub, for six to eight people
• Fresh Mediterranean Sea Bass
• Leg of lamb, with a roasted Petros secret rub in red wine sauce
• Roast beef  

For all of these meals you can add a Greek, green or beet salad  for $20. 

“These are all from the Dranias family recipe book from many generations,” said Ted Dranias.

 Orders must be reserved 24 hours in advance by calling the Westmount location (4785 Sherbrooke Street West) at 514-938-5656. Take-out is encouraged. Deliveries can be arranged for a nominal surcharge.

Petros also has locations on Laurier Avenue in Outremont, William Street in Griffintown and St. Dominique in Little Italy (currently closed). You can see the complete regular takeout and delivery menu at www.restaurantpetros.ca.



 

Mile End Community Mission teams up with Petros Laurier for a successful fundraiser

By Nancy Greene-Gregoire

Fundraising organizations continue to become innovative during this COVID-19 pandemic. The Mile End Community Mission teamed up with Peri Kalivrousis and Petros Taverna Laurier for their annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. On October 22 the Mission moved their event, including guest speaker Rachel Bendayan (Outremont Liberal MP), to Zoom. All ticket purchasers were able to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Petros Laurier. Proceeds will benefit those living below the poverty line. Since the pandemic, the Mission has seen an 88% increase in bags distributed by the food bank. 150 individuals and families in the neighbourhood rely on the free hot meal program, and 800 masks have been distributed to the members. Demand continues to increase as the second wave of the pandemic arrives. “Behind the crisis of health and inequality looms another – that of loneliness and isolation,” said Director Linda (Lou) Hachey, “We look forward to a time and scenario where we can safely break bread together once again. In the meantime, we’re doing “community” in another way for a while.”

 

Peri prepares the meals.

Petros Laurier prepared 34 dinners for us. Most people picked them up themselves, but we had a volunteer team that made about 10 deliveries. The Greek salad with the creamy feta, the divine salmon, the perfectly cooked chicken, the gorgeous stuffed peppers,and Loukoumades donuts with honey – everyone agreed that it was delicious!

 

Linda (Lou) Hachey  

 

 

We had 21 people join the Zoom, and it was memorable. Lou told us that everyone misses the community aspect of the Mission. People come early to line up for lunches and the food bags, just so they can have a chance to talk to each other, but it's not enough. Everyone is afraid of what winter will bring. The Mission will continue to do all it can for the people who need help.

Nancy Greene-Gregoire 

 

Joanne Racette introduced the art program she has run at the Mission since 2004. The pandemic stopped them from meeting at the Mission, but they met in local parks throughout the summer and everyone brought their own art supplies and masks. When the weather gets colder they will send their art to Joanne via Messenger, and she will continue to post it on the Mission’s facebook page every week. Art helps with our mental health and Joanne encourages all of us to create art.

We held a silent auction during the Zoom event, with gift certificates from Drawn&Quarterly, Bishop&Bagg, artisan soap from Crate 61, a year-long VIP pass to the Museum of Fine Arts as well as a Montreal Canadiens hockey shirt and a cap signed by Carey Price. We raised $660 this way!

Rachel Bendayan, our local MP, joined us near the end of the evening and spoke to us of her firm commitment to supporting Universal Basic Income, something dear to the hearts of all who work with those who live below the poverty line. She was glad to know that the Anglican Bishops across Canada had written to the government in support of basic income. This and the needs of the Mission encourage her to continue to push for what the people want.

Stephane Gregoire 

The discussion throughout the evening was intense, and it was so special to hear from so many of the Mission members! We all have fears and worries about the coming of winter. The Mission isn’t collecting clothes now because of COVID-19, so they don't have winter coats for members, nor sleeping bags for the homeless members. It was especially touching when two of the members talked about how they look through the line each week and make a special effort to speak to those who look the most withdrawn or scared. It gave us a clear picture of how hard life is for some of us.  

 For more information go to https://mileendmission.org.  

Also log on to www.restaurantpetros.com.

Les Jardins Petros opens in LIttle Italy

 At a time when the restaurant business is struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ted Dranias continues to reverse the trend. Not only are his Westmount, Laurier and Griffintown locations fully operational, but on Tuesday, September 1 he will introduce Les Jardins Petros in Little Italy.

Located at 6896 St. Dominique, at Belanger, the restaurant is a partnership between Dranias, Maria Gaitanis and Grigoris Gournakis,  It will be open from 11:30 am to 10 pm every day but Monday. There are 35 seats inside and a terrasse of 35, which will be enclosed in the fall of 2021. It is open for takeout as well and available for private parties. Unlike the other three restaurants, which have Bring Your Own Wine concepts, Les Jardins Petros will have a complete wine selection and liqor  menu.

Grigorios Gournakis, Ted Dranias and Maria Gaitanis.

Specializing in Greek Mediterranean Cuisine, Les Jardins Petros  will be offering a variety of homestyle menu choices such as traditional moussaka, fish filets (salmon, swordfish and sea bass),  pastisio (pasta with bechamel sauce and minced ground beef), fresh green herbs ground beef and ground veal), the Greek spread medley (any four spreads such as taramosalata, tirokafteri and tzatziki), Greek salad, finely chopped romaine  salad with Greek balsamic vinaigrette and beets with crumbled feta and for dessert, baklava.

Here Ted Dranias takes you for a tour:

For more information on this location please call 514-317-2820 or log on to www.restaurantpetros.ca..

 Les Jardins Petros s'ouvrent en La Petite Italie

Alors que le secteur de la restauration est en difficulté pendant la pandémie COVID-19, Ted Dranias continue d'inverser la tendance. Non seulement ses établissements de Westmount, Laurier et Griffintown sont pleinement opérationnels, mais le mardi 1er septembre, il présentera Les Jardins Petros dans la Petite Italie.

Situé au 6896 St. Dominique, au Belanger, le restaurant est un partenariat entre Dranias, Maria Gaitanis et Grigoris Gournakis. Il sera ouvert pour le déjeuner (11h à 14h) et le dîner (17h30 à 22h30) tous les jours sauf le lundi. Il y a 35 places à l'intérieur et une terrasse de 35 places, qui sera fermée à l'automne 2021. Elle est également ouverte pour la vente à emporter et est disponible pour les fêtes privées. Contrairement aux trois autres restaurants, qui ont le concept "Bring Your Own Wine", Les Jardins Petros proposeront une sélection complète de vins et une carte des liqueurs.

Spécialisés dans la cuisine méditerranéenne grecque, Les Jardins Petros proposeront une variété de menus maison tels que la moussaka traditionnelle, les yiouvetsi (cubes de veau à l'orzo), les filets de poisson (morue, saumon, espadon et bar), les pastisio (pâtes à la béchamel et au bœuf haché), les gemista (tomates et poivrons farcis, avec du riz, ), le mélange de tartinades grecques (quatre tartinades au choix, telles que taramosalata, tirokafteri et tzatziki), la salade grecque, la salade romaine finement hachée avec une vinaigrette balsamique grecque et des betteraves avec de la féta émiettée et, pour le dessert, les loukoumades maison (petite pâte levée arrosée de sirop de miel et accompagnée d'un peu de yaourt) et le baklava.

 

Pour plus d'informations sur ce lieu, veuillez appeler le 514-317-2820 ou vous connecter à www.restaurantpetros.ca.

 

Petros Taverna va agrandir le site de Griffintown et faire ses débuts dans la Petite Italie

 Ted Dranias, restaurateur de longue date, continue d'étendre sa marque Petros Taverna.

En mai 2015, Dranias ouvre son premier Petros, spécialisé dans la cuisine grecque, rue Notre Dame à Griffintown. Le nom était un hommage à son défunt père (nommé Petros), qui a toujours voulu avoir son propre restaurant grec. En décembre 2016, un deuxième Petros a été établi au coin des rues Sherbrooke et Grosvenor à Westmount, suivi en avril dernier par Petros Laurier.

Dranias exploitait également un restaurant appelé La Trattoria sur Notre Dame. Il a fermé cette exploitation l'été dernier et a ensuite loué un local de 5 000 pieds carrés au 1613, rue William. Vers la fin novembre, Petros Griffintown déménagera dans cette installation. Il pourra accueillir 150 personnes, soit trois fois la taille de l'installation actuelle de Griffintown. Il sera différent des autres avec la musique le week-end et à partir de 2020, le brunch le week-end aussi. "Nous n'avons même pas encore ouvert nos portes et nous avons plus de 1 000 réservations pour le mois de décembre ", dit Dranias.

Les trois restaurants BYOB sont en plein essor et sont âgés de 57 ans. Et Dranias n'a pas encore tout à fait fini. Il est maintenant heureux d'annoncer qu'un quatrième Petros ouvrira ses portes en 2020 dans la région de la Petite Italie.

Ted Dranias

Malgré une pénurie de main-d'œuvre dans l'industrie de la restauration, M. Dranias a relevé ce défi en donnant à certains de ses employés de confiance des participations dans chaque établissement de Petros.  Les restaurants disposent tous de salles pour des réceptions privées. Un restaurant entier peut être loué pour des occasions spéciales ou pour des collectes de fonds d'organismes communautaires. Dranias lui-même travaille souvent dans la cuisine. 

Les excellentes entrées de Petros, comme le mélange à tartiner grec (quatre tartinades comme taramosalata, tirokafteri et tzatziki), la pénicilline grecque (purée de pommes de terre légèrement assaisonnée d'ail et d'huile d'olive), les salades, soupes, poulpes et bien sûr un choix de poissons frais, steaks, côtes levées, veau, moussaka et bien plus. Pour le dessert, les loukoumades maison, une petite pâte au levure arrosée de sirop de miel et accompagnée de yogourt et de baklava, sont les favoris.

Pour plus d'informations, connectez-vous sur www.restaurantpetros.ca et suivez-les sur Facebook et Instagram.