David Tsirekas to launch mod Greek restaurants in Chicago

The world has taken note of Sydney's mod Greek revolution (hello Alpha, Opa and Ble) and where better to take inspirations from than Pitt Street's 1821, the restaurant named after the Greek revolution against the Ottomans.

1821's head chef, David Tsirekas, has been poached to oversee the launch of two mod Greek restaurants in the US after Chicago mega restaurateur Louie Alexakis flew into Australia to check out what all the fuss is about with our Greek food and fell in love with Tsirekas's cooking.

"Chicago, after Melbourne, has one of the highest Greek populations in the world. He liked the twist we're putting on Greek food here, so I'm going over to help launch two restaurants: one a funky, hip taverna, the other place is more upmarket," Tsirekas says.

Chicagoans can expect his quirky take, including Greek san choy bau and pita siders. Tsirekas isn't severing ties with 1821.

While Luiza Gomes is stepping in as the new head chef at 1821, Tsirekas retains a group executive chef role while still being able to dabble in consultancy projects.

One of those will be in Brisbane, where he'll oversee the kitchen at the soon to open Nostimo Restaurant at The Greek Club, which has had a $3 million spit and polish.