Kipos is an amazing Greek Taverna on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and is owned by Giorgios Hospitality and Lifestyle Group. If you have not met Giorgio, who can be seen at Kipos often, you are truly missing out on meeting someone fantastic and that you will never forget. Also, if you are not familiar with this group, they do own a number other restaurants in the area, including: Bin Fifty-Four, Parizade, Local 22, Vin Rouge, City Kitchen, Kalamaki and Village Burgers. They also own two restaurants in Wake Forest (Gatehouse Tavern and Farm Table) and one in Charlotte (Georges). I have had the pleasure of also eating at Parizade, Bin Fifty-Four and Vin Rouge and all of them are fantastic.
Okay, back to Kipos though as I have now had the pleasure of dining there twice and I am truly obsessed….so wish this place was near my house!!! The atmosphere here is so lively (I absolutely love the lighting, tables and chairs that were picked out) and you can find fabulous (and hot) belly dancers. Giorgio is Greek and Kipos means garden in Greek. Kipos was conceptualized based upon the fresh village foods cooked in wood-burning ovens, honoring old and modern recipes (there are plenty of those on the menu). The best way to enjoy the menu is through the ordering of many small plates (which they are all really meant to be) so you can try everything!! Here are a couple of pictures of the restaurant inside so you can get a sense for what I mean about the décor:
The open kitchen is awesome to watch and the loud and vibrant atmosphere is energizing to me! You will see the same staff every time you come as he has very loyal employees and they are like a big family, which can feel while you are there. Again, here is a good instance in which the wine took over and left me without sufficient pictures of the amazing food I was enjoying, but here are a few to see:
The top left is a picture of the XORIATIKI SALAD, which has feta, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions and capers in a lemon dressing and is absolutely fabulous. The picture next to it is of their pita bread, which I could just eat all day long (served piping hot) and came with the MEZZE TRIO (my favorite is the tzatziki), so I would likely opt for just that next time. Bottom left is what is left of the house made SPANAKOTIROPITA made by Olga (a family member of Giorgio and I am all of a sudden blanking on if this is his sister or aunt). It is not your typical spanakopita you are likely used to eating…..it is SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!! The bottom right is a picture of their rotisserie herb roasted chicken that comes out so flavorful and moist!!
Okay, now done to what I would order as a perfect meal when going with friends:
1. Start with the tzatziki and pita along with the grilled octopus
2. Get the GIGANTES PLAKI, which are roasted giant beans (I know, sounds odd, but you will not be disappointed)
3. I would find it difficult not to order the SPANAKOTIROPITA, but it is quite filling and you want to make sure you have room for their whole fish (if you are in the mood for seafood) or their lamb, which is amazing. Crap, their beef meatballs are also delicious. Well, just go back multiple times so you can try it all!
There are so many other amazing items on the menu and their cocktails are fantastic. While I was there, I was a brat and refused to Ouzo as I do not like black licorice, which is what that tastes like to me. I told our server (LOVE HIM) to surprise me and with something else because he was not allowing everyone else to have a drink without me.