YORKVILLE — A new Greek restaurant is hoping to shield its customers from the chaos of ongoing construction of the Second Avenue subway outside.
The eatery, called 1633 after its address 1633 Second Ave., features tinted windows, a babbling fountain and a side door entrance on East 85th Street — all so diners can eat in peace and forget the world outside, its owner James Paloumbis said.
"The Upper East Side community has been under siege with all the ongoing construction, and I feel that everyone has had enough," Paloumbis said.
"Guests shouldn't be subjected to what's going on outside while they are enjoying dinner or cocktails — thus the covered windows. Inside, it's kind of the hidden jewel of the Upper East Side, and we believe we have thoughtfully created an interesting experience that our guests will enjoy."
When visitors enter the restaurant through the side door, they have to walk through the kitchen before they get to the dining room, according to a spokeswoman for the owner.
The dining room aims to be an oasis, the spokeswoman said, with a running fountain on one side, and a 3D mural on another, filled with faux grass, birds, stone cherubs and oversized copper roses.
The menu — by Chef Dionisis Liakopoulu — is focused on a modern take on traditional Greek foods, including the "Mousse-AKA," a layered ground sirloin, and "The Cube," a brioche dough pie with spring greens, cheese and yogurt.
There's also a cocktail list, featuring a Chef's Negroni, made with gin, Vermouth, Campari, strawberry and orange.
Cocktails are $14 each or you can buy a bucket, enough for five cocktails, for $65.
1633 opened last week, and hours are from Tuesdays through Sundays, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
