‘A deeply personal project’: Former Pied à Terre executive chef to launch Greek restaurant

Asimakis Chaniotis, the former executive chef at Michelin-starred Pied à Terre, is set to launch his own restaurant in London’s South Kensington this May.

Myrtos, which takes its name from the island of Kefalonia’s most famous beach, will showcase dishes based on the chef’s Greek heritage.

Acorn Award winner Chaniotis was born and bred in Athens and moved to London in 2011. He worked across Cubitt House and a variety of Greek restaurants before joining restaurateur David Moore at Pied à Terre, where he was based for 13 years. He was named executive chef in 2017 and announced his departure from the Charlotte Street diner in March 2024.

He was also previously head chef at Moore’s sister restaurant, L’Autre Pied in Marylebone, until its closure in 2017.

At the 80-cover Myrtos, Chaniotis will offer taverna-style dining with a focus on small and large sharing plates such as homemade bread with taramosalata; lobster giouvetsi with orzo, tomatoes, mussels, lemon and basil; and pan-fried pink bream with five-herb, lettuce and lemon sauce.

These can be paired to skewers such as lamb belly and pickled turnip, savoy cabbage and tzatziki and finished off with Mediterranean desserts such as pistachio cake made from pistachios cultivated on the island of Aegina.

The restaurant will champion working closely with Greek and British suppliers, ranging from smoked cheese company Metsovone to Dorset Snails.

Meanwhile, guests can try cocktails from Athens bar Line, including the Mediterranean Martini, the Spiced Pomegranate Mule and Bloody Mary.

Front of house will be led by general manager Vasilis Kritselas, who boasts a 30-year-long career in both Greece and the UK.

Chaniotis said: “Myrtos is a deeply personal project inspired by my upbringing and childhood holidays in Kefalonia. Opening my first restaurant is an amazing feeling, bringing to life the flavours I grew up with and the dishes that shaped my journey as a chef.

“South Kensington felt like the perfect location as it was my first home in London and a neighbourhood I have always loved. I hope Myrtos transports guests to Greece, evoking the nostalgia of being there without leaving London.”