Fifteen years after its departure, Greek cuisine is making a comeback as Zorba’s Greek Bistro returns to Baton Rouge.
Zorba’s owner Dinos Economides hails from Cyprus, Greece, and said he prides his restaurant on its authentic Greek offerings.
The restaurant originally opened in 1984 and closed in 2000 when the Economides family returned to Greece.
Then, Zorba’s was then located on Perkins Road, and its new location is on Essen Lane.
Economides owns the restaurant with his wife Polina, and he said he enjoys the work dynamic. When the couple returned to Greece in 2000. Economides said they didn’t give up their entrepreneurial roots and opened their own medical equipment company.
Economides said he’s seen old customers return to Zorba’s Essen location, calling 50 percent of his customer base returners.
“Everybody was very excited,” Economides said. “They were very sad that we closed in the first place.”
Economides said customers were interested in Zorba’s return because there is no similar Greek restaurant, with most of the Lebanese restaurants serving Greek dishes.
Zorba’s atmosphere and personalized service is another reason for the restaurant’s popularity, he said.
“The objective was to serve first-quality food at reasonable prices, and that’s what we’re doing,” Economides said.
He said he and his wife are hands-on at the restaurant, greeting customers with hospitality.
Although customer service is key for Economides, he said the most important aspect of a good restaurant is good food. He said he’s brought in his customers because of the restaurant’s food.
Polina is a chef in Zorba’s kitchen, and he said she makes sure the freshest ingredients that are used every day.
Dinos said while his menu has Mediterranean influences, most of the offerings are Greek, including traditional Greek dishes — some with a modern flair.
Along with the restaurant’s new location, came a new name.
Zorba’s Greek Bistro was previously Zorba’s Greek Restaurant before it closed in 2000. Dinos said the name changed because the restaurant went a different route with a trendier menu than the original.
He said the menu is about 70 percent the same as the old menu, and the other 30 percent is more modern, such as salads. But all the food is always made with a Greek flair.
The new update brought new customers along with the returners.
“When we see people coming back, especially younger people, that means a lot. That means we are succeeding with what we were wanting to succeed,” Dinos said.
Dinos said he sees the importance of attracting younger crowds to Zorba’s and he is happy he succeeded.
Comparing the Baton Rouge restaurant scene in 2000 to today, Dinos said a lot more people are eating at restaurants than at home and are more selective when it comes to their restaurant choices.
Along with Zorba’s daily menu, the restaurant holds a wine tasting every month and has a private room that holds up to 60 people.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Haskell Whittington

The newly re-done patio and entrance to the restaurant on Tuesday Sept. 22, 2015, at Zorba’s Greek Bistro on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge.