Wilmette, News

Greek restaurant to take over former Firefly Kitchen space

More dining variety is headed to Wilmette.

Greek restaurant Taverna Naxos plans to occupy 111 Green Bay Road, a site left vacant by Firefly Kitchen in 2020.

The Record failed to reach leaders of Taverna Naxos by press time (Tuesday, May 16), but confirmed that the restaurant applied for a liquor license with the Village of Wilmette in April and appeared in front of the Appearance Review Commission in February.

The commission granted Taverna Naxos approval for an aluminum-paneled sign — white with black lettering — to replace the current wooden one. The new restaurant will also install two window decals, according to the meeting minutes.

A submitted sketch of Taverna Naxos showing the restaurant’s approved signage. | Image from Village of Wilmette

A letter to the Village from Cameel Halim, listed as a managing member of Taverna Naxos, says the restaurant plans to be open six evenings a week and closed on Mondays. The liquor application lists the restaurant’s planned hours as 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, and 4-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The restaurant can seat 60 in its primary dining room, 30 more upstairs and another 30 in an outdoor patio, according to Halim’s letter.

“Taverna Naxos … is the result of a demand for quality and authentic Greek food in the North Shore,” Halim wrote in the letter. “We are pleased to offer a combination of Greek food in a fun and exciting atmosphere.”

A website attributed to Taverna Naxos at 111 Green Bay Road is live. Though it is incomplete, it links to a menu that lists classic Greek dishes, such as saganaki, dolmathakia, moussaka and baklava.

Firefly Kitchen took over 111 Green Bay Road in 2015 from A la Carte catering, which then operated out of other retail locations and is now the vendor for Kenilworth Community Cafe.


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joe coughlin
Joe Coughlin

Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319

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