Inotheke A Taste of Cyprus Lands on Broadway Cyprus’s Loss is the Westside’s Gain
Hospitality industry vet Carolos Tomazos rose through the restaurant ranks among the culinary elite while managing the Michelin-starred restaurants of chefs Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller and Eric Ripert.
Now, Tomazos has ventured out on his own to create Inotheke, a contemporary new spot in Santa Monica that highlights the cuisine of his homeland, the island nation of Cyprus.
“I grew up in a food-loving culture in Cyprus, where food was everywhere and everything,” says Tomazos. “Everyone cooked, while perpetually breaking bread together, and playfully competing in an unspoken spirited game of who prepares what dish better.”
Blending his unique pedigree with operational knowledge, Tomazos is responsible for creating all the recipes at Inotheke, ensuring that hints of Cyprus surface in each dish through bright olive oils, global spices and fresh herbs.
Lighter plates such as the Oven Roasted Beet Salad mixed with arugula, goat cheese, red onion, dill and lemon vinaigrette, or the simple, yet classic, Greek Salad prepared with tomato, cucumber, peppers, onions, feta cheese and olive oil, are the perfect way to start. Flavorful Cyprus-style comfort food comes in the form of Tyropitakia with Haloumi and Kaseri cheeses, mint and red peppers, as well as the Potted Duck topped with walnuts and orange cardamom marmalade.
A cornerstone of any variation of island cooking, seafood naturally reigns at Inotheke, showcased in dishes like Lakerda, with Ahi tuna and a fresh herb salad; Sardeles served on toast with lemon, olive oil and parsley; Shrimp Saganaki presented with tomato sauce, feta and ouzo; and a Grilled Calamari Salad paired with cannellini beans and fennel.
Greek for “wine case,” Inotheke also recognizes the importance of quality wine pairings and features over 20 varietals by the glass. Unique whites, like the Robert Cantin “Les Pier Blancs,” a Sancerre from France, along with reds such as Salentein Reserve Malbec from Argentina, in addition to over 60 eclectic selections by the bottle also featured on the extensive wine list.
The space on Broadway and 6th Street is casual and contemporary, with natural light flooding in through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. An open kitchen creates a sense of community among guests in the dining room, where the atmosphere is warm and relaxing.
“I want people to come here, be comfortable while enjoying our food and drinks at a good value, and feel welcome above all,” says Tomazos.
With a philosophy like that, we might have just found an easy way to experience the Mediterranean. Weekly.
Inotheke
606 Broadway Avenue, Suite 101, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.3366 | Inotheke.com
Photos Courtesy of Acuna-Hansen
