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Anthos
36 W. 52nd St.
New York, New York
212-582-6900

Kefi
505 Columbus Ave.
New York, New York
212-873-0200

Eos
485 Brickell Ave., Viceroy Miami
Miami, Florida
305-503-4400

Gus and Gabriel
222 West 79th St.
New York, New York
212-362-7470

10 Recipes by Michael Psilakis

• Chicken with Zucchini Salad
• Chopped Greek Salad
• Crab and Artichoke Orzo Salad
• Greek Grilled Scallop Sandwiches
• Greek-Style Vegetable Risotto
• Grilled Pork Tenderloin Salad
• Jumbo Shrimp Salad
• Lamb Chops with Vinaigrette
• Spaghetti with Cauliflower
• Yellow Split Pea Dip

Why he won Because he has ingeniously redefined Greek cooking in America.

Born New York City; 1968.

First career Accounting. “Then I decided to go to law school and started waiting tables at T.G.I. Friday’s to pay for it. I found out I liked the restaurant industry.”

How he got into cooking “I bought a restaurant on Long Island, Café Angelica, and worked as a maître d’. I loved it; it was like My Big Fat Greek Wedding every night. One day, the chef left without notice. Customers were coming, so I went back to the kitchen and did the best I could. It wasn’t a fun day, but it was a fortunate one.”

Flavor obesession “I’m an acid freak. The more complex a dish is, the more important acidity is—it stops palate fatigue. It keeps you going after the fourth or fifth bite.”

Fantasy restaurant partner Jim Morrison. “The food would be deeply conceptual, and the crowd would be artsy and intellectual. I’d love to know what his foodie friends—if he had any—would have thought.”

Other restaurants Kefi, a casual Greek spot, and Mia Dona, a casual Italian-Med place.