May 10, 2017 By Christian Murray
A Greek restaurant is slated to open on Vernon Boulevard in the location formerly occupied by San Remo.
The restaurant, to be called Vernon Grill, is expected to open by the end of June, according to owner George Tsiolis, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 40 years.
Tsolis, who at one time owned six diners on Long Island, said he is coming out of retirement to open the 48-20 Vernon Boulevard restaurant.
“I am an old dog and this is my baby,” Tsiolis said, adding that he thought he could retire but couldn’t stand being at home.
Tsiolis said he was notified that the location was available from the owner of the now-defunct San Remo.
The restaurant will seat 40 people indoors, with Tsiolis planning to add sidewalk seating that will double his capacity.
He said he has applied for an outdoor seating permit and is waiting to hear back from the city. He is also awaiting a wine & beer license, which he hopes to obtain before he opens.
Tsolis, who immigrated from Greece when he was 17, said he will be serving high-end food at an affordable price. He said he will offer items such as gyros, souvlaki, Greek meatballs, zucchini, barbeque chicken, spinach pie, octopus, salads and more.
“I will be offering big portions,” he said. “It will be about quantity, quality, service and cleanliness.”
