Yanni’s Bistro Celebrates 10 Years with Tasty Reception on Sunday

It’s been 10 years since opened its doors, and business is still booming. While owner Yannis Pihas brought years of experience to the table, he remains modest when it comes to the real reason for his success.

“We’ve been very blessed to have a lot of repeat guests,” said Pihas, who immigrated from Greece 27 years ago. “The success of our business is that they keep coming back, week after week, month after month. We’ve had some of the same customers for 10 years—quite a few actually. Thank God.”

Pihas worked extensively in the food industry under the Ritz Carlton at several locations across the nation. He and wife Denise then opened their first restaurant in Los Angeles, which was just around the corner from his sister’s house.

When his sister moved to Scripps Ranch, the Pihas family soon followed and opened Yanni’s Bistro nearby.

“We thought it would be a good omen to open the restaurant around the corner from my sister—continue the tradition,” said Pihas, who also lives nearby.

The restaurant officially turns 10 on Sunday, and Pihas is celebrating by hosting a reception with wine and appetizers from 1 to 3 p.m.

When asked to name the best dish on the menu, the normally fast-talking Pihas paused.

“I enjoy my food immensely and that’s how we design our menu,” he said before conceding that the lamb skewers and the Cappellini Tourkolimano were among the items “very dear” to him.

“Everything is made with love and care and excitement,” he said.