Chef Evan Kalogiannis found his calling while watching his father cook in their family restaurant. Now he is the executive chef at Milton Point Provisions in Rye, NY. Chef Evan Kalogiannis took a break from his busy schedule to chat with Suburbs 101. I asked him for restaurant recommendations- what are the best restaurants in New York and Connecticut? He shares his favorite restaurants in Westchester County and Litchfield County. As well as his favorite New York City restaurants- including the best Peruvian restaurant in NYC.
PS: We are very excited about the upcoming Greenwich Wine + Food on March 4, 2023, where Chef Evan Kalogiannis will be a guest chef.
Eat Where the Chefs Eat is a column where local Chefs and food industry insiders share their favorite restaurants in the New York metro area. Learn where your favorite chefs go when they aren’t in their own kitchens!
What is Your Favorite Restaurant in Westchester County?
When I do get the chance to go out, I love to swing by Southern Table in Pleasantville. While they have a great variety of Southern flavors—I get to visit my culinary roots a bit—my favorite dish on the menu is their Braised Short Rib with wild mushrooms and roasted carrots.
What are Your Favorite Restaurants in Litchfield County?
My favorite restaurants in Connecticut are in Litchfield County. I love Community Table in Washington, CT, where I usually order the Smoked Monkfish Loin. When I visit Bantam, CT, I can’t miss a stop at Arethusa Al Tavolo. I highly recommend their Smoked Pork Belly Dumplings.
What are Your Favorite Restaurants in New York City?
My favorite restaurants in New York City are Pio Pio and Kubeh. I think the best Peruvian restaurant in NYC is Pio Pio —the Lomo Saltado (filet mignon) and the Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian-style fried rice) are my favorites. Kubeh has the best Middle Eastern cuisine in NYC. If you visit, definitely order the Charred Eggplant Meze and the Pan Seared Dorade with sumac turmeric rub.
About Evan Kalogiannis
A native of Sharon, Connecticut, Chef Evan Kalogiannis found his calling while watching his father cook in their family restaurant, which served up Greek favorites. From a young age, Evan worked with his father in the kitchen learning the basics of cooking and the restaurant business. He enrolled in Lincoln Tech to begin his professional training in the culinary world while working summers at 41 North in Newport, Rhode Island.
After two years, he wanted more of a hands-on experience and was looking for a change. He moved to New Orleans, working in restaurants that served up Cajun and Southern cuisines. After 5 years of working at a variety of restaurants including Cochon and the Link Restaurant Group in New Orleans, he got the urge to travel the world and learn about food and the different styles and flavors of cooking. Chef Evan spent four months traveling and eating his way through Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, Greece, and Turkey, satisfying his need to learn about food and different cultures.
Returning back to the United States in 2016, he landed in New York as the Sous Chef at Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish in North Salem, New York. When the restaurant expanded to Sleepy Hollow, New York he was promoted to Chef de Cuisine at the new location. In 2018 he was approached to be the Executive Chef at The Bit in Dobbs Ferry. In 2022, he became Executive Chef at Milton Point Provisions in Rye, NY, helping the team launch a new dinner menu focused around their wood-fired oven. As Executive Chef, he is able to bring his vast knowledge of different cooking styles to life, creating a menu that caters to everyone’s palate.
Looking for Restaurant Recommendations from Chefs? Check out our other Eat Where the Chef Eats interviews:
Chef Luke Venner’s Favorite Restaurants in New York and Connecticut
Chef Peter Kelly’s Favorite Restaurants in Westchester
Best Restaurants in Fairfield County: Chef Robin Selden
Best Thai Restaurants in NYC: Grumpy Dumpling Chef Kook’s Faves
Best Restaurants in NY: According to Chef Ellen Sledge
Best Restaurants in Litchfield County, CT: According to Chef Evan Kalogiannis
Best Sushi in Greenwich, CT: According to Chef Scott Fratangelo
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