ACROPOLIS
Address: 2213 Hamilton Place Blvd.Hours: Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.Phone: 423-899-5341
Between the blue skies, the late-spring breeze and the hubbub of Hamilton Place, Acropolis’ covered patio feels like an island retreat – one that is fleeting.
“It’s peak patio season,” said Nick Kyriakidis, who co-owns the restaurant with his family. “By July and August, it’s just too hot outside.”
For now, there is still time. In addition to outdoor dining, this time of year, said Nick, lends itself to the enjoyment of cool cocktails and shareable small plates, a combination known as “meze” in Greek.
“Mediterranean dining is all about meze; it’s very summery,” Nick said.
Acropolis’ appetizer selection features a number of filling options, such as the Greek nachos, made with housemade potato chips, feta, mozzarella, gyro meat, olives, onions and lettuce, then topped with tzatziki, basil pesto and tomato-cucumber relish. The best-selling lamb lollipops come with three tender lamp chops served over Greek fries with roasted red pepper and tzatziki.
Either dish would be a hearty starter for a dinner with Dad, or “Baba,” this Father’s Day, when Acropolis will also showcase a list of entrée specials.
As for those cocktails, in addition to colorful concoctions that include the pomegranate-infused “Greek Goddess” martini and the fruity rum-based “Patio Punch,” Acropolis’ drink menu offers an assortment of wine cocktails and craft beers, any one of which might be raised in a toast: to friends, family or patio season.