On The Passing Of Peter Rogakos: A Very Sad Loss to Carroll Gardens And To Avlee On Smith Street.

Avlee owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos on the night of Avlee's opening in 2013

I am so saddened by the loss of Peter Rogakos, one of the co-owners of Avlee Greek Kitchen.
Peter passed away on Monday, October 2nd, of a heart attack.  He was a devoted father of three children and a Bay Ridge resident.
He opened Avlee at 349 Smith Street with his partner Andrew Poulos in February 2013 and worked tirelessly to make his eatery the success and welcoming place that it has become.

At the time of his passing, Peter was busy on another restaurant venture.

One of his friends reached out to PMFA to say:
"I knew Peter not only as a friend, but as one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met. He was a loving husband and father who will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

My condolences go to his family and to the Avlee crew.  Yes, Peter and his big smile will be very much missed in Carroll Gardens.

Though it must be very, very hard,  Andrew has reopened Avlee. The best way to honor Peter is to stop by to his beloved eatery on Smith Street and to make sure that it will be part of our neighborhood for any years.

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Avlee, Smith Street's New Greek Eatery, Now Open

Avlee owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos

There is a new fun and health eating option in the neighborhood.
Avlee, the Greek/ Mediterranean restaurant at 349 Smith Street, between Second Street and Carroll Street, just opened for lunch and dinner.   The owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos held a soft opening for their new eatery last week-end and officially launched yesterday.

According to Poulos, Avlee means 'garden' in Greek. "We felt that it was a great name for a Greek restaurant in Carroll Gardens," he told me a few days ago. It also reflects the fresh ingredients used to make all of the traditional Greek fare.

Avlee offers a nice range of appetizers like Tzatziki, taramasalata, tirokafteri, spanakopida or domatosalata, a tomato salad with shaved red onions and feta cheese ($6 small, $11 large).  Of course, the menu also includes Gyro and Souvlaki. Try the Chicken Souvlaki Platter with tzaziki sauce in a grilled pita ($14) or the Pastitsio ($15).
And don't forget to sample the Greek wine or beer with your meal. (There is also Greek sodas.)

Walk all the way to the back of the restaurant to a mini-Greek grocery display and check out Greek products like jams and olive oils.

There are a few tables for dining in and in warmer weather, more tables will be available in the garden. You can also stop by and order take out.

Avlee Greek Kitchen

349 Smith Street

(Second Street and Carroll Street)

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New Greek Eatery On Smith Street To Be Called "Avlee'

The new Greek/Mediterranean restaurant, which is slated to open at 349 Smith Street later this fall, will be called 'Avlee'. A web site is in the works, but does not yet provide menu information. According to owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos, the eatery will have counter service and seating both inside and outside in the back yard.

The storefront was once occupied by Joe's Superette, an Italian deli owned by Leo Coladonato. Many in the neighborhood still miss Leo's sandwiches and prosciutto balls.




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