IF you love a combination of gin and Greek delicacies and you’re located near Newton Aycliffe – you might just be in luck after the town’s most recent addition to the food scene opened to rave reviews recently.

Starting just before Christmas, Something Greek at The Aviator finely balances food and drink together and provides a unique experience for those that visit.

The newest restaurant in Newton Aycliffe, which is located on Unit 18 on Aycliffe Business, Northfield Way, uses the experience of established gin bar, The Aviator, which has been at the premises for the past year, and combines it with the new expertise of Something Greek; a family venture started during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read more: AA Restaurant Guide 2022: Best restaurants in the North East and North Yorkshire revealed

After opening its first solo takeaway in Coxhoe, County Durham, in 2020, Something Greek and the Vouli family have fast become one of the most exciting Greek restaurants in the region.

Now that they’ve been asked to provide food for The Aviator Gin Bar, they have brought their unique blend of flavour and creativity to Newton Aycliffe. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

After opening in November 2021, people have flocked to try the menu, from Gyros to topped fries, and the restaurant has already achieved an average five star rating online.

The Northern Echo: One of the dishes on the Something Greek menu; Gyros and topped fries. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.One of the dishes on the Something Greek menu; Gyros and topped fries. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The idea for Something Greek was started by Stavros Vouli, who had become bored of his factory work and longed to be serving people the food that he'd been preparing for his family for decades. 

Speaking to the brainchild of Something Greek, Mr Vouli says that there's no "secret formula" behind the success of the restaurant – just a desire to bring people together.

He told The Northern Echo: "Working with my family is a dream come true. Of course, there's positives and negatives to working this way, but we've come a long way in the short space of time we've been operating. 

The Northern Echo: Stavros Vouli, the owner of Something Greek, serves up a storm in the kitchen in Newton Aycliffe. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.Stavros Vouli, the owner of Something Greek, serves up a storm in the kitchen in Newton Aycliffe. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

"The transition from cooking for your family to cooking for paying members of the public is a tough one, and more difficult than I first thought. 

"We've worked hard to get to where we are now, and I'm pleased that we can bring the food to the people of Newton Aycliffe."

Check out these pictures of Something Greek at The Aviator:

The Northern Echo: The outside gazebo area that Something Greek are based in. Customers can alternatively eat their food in The Aviator Gin Bar too. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.The outside gazebo area that Something Greek are based in. Customers can alternatively eat their food in The Aviator Gin Bar too. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: Left: Stavros and Dimitra Vouli at Something Greek. Right: Inside The Aviator Gin Bar. Photos: SARAH CALDECOTT.Left: Stavros and Dimitra Vouli at Something Greek. Right: Inside The Aviator Gin Bar. Photos: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: Something Greek are serving Gyros, pizzas, fries in both meat and vegetarian options. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.Something Greek are serving Gyros, pizzas, fries in both meat and vegetarian options. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: The tables at The Aviator Gin Bar are made from part of aircraft. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.The tables at The Aviator Gin Bar are made from part of aircraft. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: The already-established Aviator Gin Bar has linked up with Something Greek for a new venture. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.The already-established Aviator Gin Bar has linked up with Something Greek for a new venture. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: Customers at Something Greek can head into The Aviator Gin Bar for a drink to go with their meal. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.Customers at Something Greek can head into The Aviator Gin Bar for a drink to go with their meal. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The Northern Echo: Smaller booths and bigger tables are featured inside The Aviator. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.Smaller booths and bigger tables are featured inside The Aviator. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Although Something Greek was set up by Stavros, it's very far from a 'one man show' after he credits his daughter, Dimitra, with the commitment to expand the business from Coxhoe.

Along with the two members of the Vouli family, there's also Dimitra's partner Jesus and a couple of other friendly faces behind the scene.

After making his dream a reality in 2020, Mr Vouli and the team have never looked back and have gone from strength to strength. 

The Northern Echo: The seating area at The Aviator Gin Bar. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.The seating area at The Aviator Gin Bar. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

 

-Dimitra added: “It’s about creating a combination between ourselves and the gin bar to give the people of Newton Aycliffe something completely different, something that they might not have had before and a unique experience.

“It’s a quirky venture, but we jumped at the chance to partner with The Aviator – we want people to come down, enjoy themselves, have a bite to eat and join with their friends.

“We’re seeing great reviews so far, and, hopefully, that continues as we establish ourselves.”

There’s more information about Something Greek here.

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