There's a new dining spot in Boston's Fenway neighborhood. Saloniki officially opens today, serving up fast-casual Greek fare, including honey-garlic braised pork, spicy lamb meatballs, zucchini fritters, and more, which can all be wrapped in a fresh-house made pita or served over rice or a salad. There are recommended combinations as well as the opportunity to build one's own from a variety of options. Base prices range from $8 to $10.50.
On the drink side, there are red and white house wines on tap, two Harpoon beers, a classic Greek frappé (sweetened, foamy ice coffee), Greek ice tea, lemonade with cucumber and mint, and local Spindrift sodas.
The space, which seats 75 inside, is open and airy with several long communal tables running throughout the inside of the restaurant. (There's also a 50-seat seasonal patio.) Saloniki's walls are painted a gradient of blue that starts dark towards the top of the walls and fades to light blue towards the base, giving the feeling of floating in the ocean. There are large photographs on either side of the dining room, shot by Adams' husband Ken Rivard, depicting the people of Greece. The perimeter of the restaurant is windowed, providing plenty of sunlight and people-watching.
The other side of the space is mostly devoted to the kitchen. A large marble counter stands before the kitchen where each item will be displayed for patrons to see and choose. There's another long communal table that runs parallel to the kitchen, plus more seating options along the front window with a row of high-top chairs. Additional two-top high tables run along the other side of the room, and a couple of high-top chairs at the end of the counter give diners a glimpse of the kitchen action.
Trade co-owners Jody Adams and Eric Papachristos, along with Trade opening manager Jonathan Mendez, are behind the new restaurant. Its name is an homage to Papachristos' Greek hometown, Thessaloniki.
Saloniki is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
