ANDERSONVILLE — Chris Lardakis and Alexi Giannoulias, the business partners who founded Kanela Breakfast Club, consider the opening of their new location in Andersonville a homecoming.
Giannoulias, the former state treasurer whose family started the shuttered Broadway Bank, grew up in Andersonville, while Lardakis grew up a few blocks away. While their ties might have inspired the two to open their fifth restaurant just a few blocks from their childhood homes, it wasn't the only factor, Lardakis said Thursday.
"It's always felt like home to us. My parents still live in the area, so I visit often," Lardakis said, adding the menu is infused with recipes from his mother's kitchen. "Now she can drive the street and visit."
The duo opened its first location at 3231 N. Clark St. in Lakeview in 2010. In the years since, they've opened restaurants in Wicker Park, Old Town and Streeterville. Each of the locations has full bars offering beverages ranging from smoothies to specialty cocktails, according to the Kanela Breakfast Club website.
The "Greek-infused breakfast and lunch" restaurant will try its hand at reviving the former home of Summerdale Restaurant. Summerdale, an American comfort food spot, closed last November after about a year in business. Kanela Breakfast Club plans to take over the spot in May, according to Chicago Eater, who first reported the opening.
Summerdale opened in October 2014 in the former Marigold Restaurant by three Andersonville restaurateurs — Marty Fosse, co-owner of Anteprima, Ombra and Acre; and the former owners of Marigold, Jim Dragatsis and Sandeed Malhotra. The location has seen a fair share of short-lived eateries, including Ole Ole in 2010, followed by Marigold in 2012 and Bulls Horn Taco Bar, which lasted only a few months in 2013.
"That never concerned us. These days, everyone needs breakfast. Plus, [Kanela] is such a great place for business meetings and is such a great place to just go," Lardakis said, adding the location was a "no- brainer. Plus, getting such a nice deal helped a lot."
The other restaurants and bars actually added to the allure and "really fit wonderfully for us," he said.
The area has changed for the better since the entrepreneurs' youth, and the two took notice.
"It really has turned into a great place to walk around, especially during the summer with all the festivals. The area has just become so beautiful," Lardakis said, adding he couldn't wait for the restaurant to participate in the various summer events such as Midsommarfest and City Made Festival.
"We love contributing to the community. We engage and help out as much as we can," he said.
Kanela, which means cinnamon in Greek, brings "a local, organic approach to a Greek-infused American breakfast and lunch," according to the restaurant's website. Everything served in the restaurant is cooked from scratch using "local organic ingredients whenever possible" and features cinnamon, the website says.
Its menu offers different takes on waffles, pancakes, French toast and omelets. It also offers soups, salads, sandwiches and sides such as breakfast meats, vegetarian bacon or sausage, toast and red potatoes.
"There's a lot of things we do that welcome customers because it's so good for you. When you're here it's almost like eating a home-cooked meal from your mother it's so fresh," said Lardakis.
For a look at the full menu click here.
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