Groundhog Sees No Shadow, Free Lemonade at Hellenic Tuesday

It’s fitting that the first event to celebrate East Marion’s Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant’s 40th anniversary begins with lemonade.

Free lemonade — one free lemonade per customer all day Tuesday.

Lemonade was the signature hallmark of the Hellenic Snack Bar, way back in 1976 when the snack shop first opened.

And now, on GroundHog Day, a full year of events to celebrate kicks off: Since Punxsutawney Phil did not, in fact, see his shadow on Tuesday, meaning an early spring is set to arrive, diners at Hellenic will receive a free lemonade all day.

The restaurant opened Friday for the season with a full slate of fun ahead. “I just want it to be a giant celebration— fun, festive, filled with abundance, with people just pouring in here for a good time,” said owner George Giannaris.

Reflecting on the 40th anniversary year, Giannaris, sitting with his wife at the restaurant while crews bustled last week to get everything in order for Friday’s opening, smiled.

“I’m excited. I feel like it’s Year One. The restaurant’s evolved to a different level. People are getting excited about the new things we’ve added.”

Looking ahead, Giannaris has spent the winter break working tirelessly every day — only taking a day off for Christmas — to plan a full lineup of creative events to delight customers.

On opening day Friday, an “Interracial Wedding Soup” was served to get the festivities started. “It’s what happens when a Greek attempts Italian wedding soup and has a propensity towards Asian cuisine: seasoned organic mini turkey meatballs, organic kale, organic vegetables and organic orzo, with a hot ginger-scotch bonnet kicker on the side. Thus far this wonderful, soulful entrée was on our kitchen table at least five times since we closed the restaurant,” Giannaris said.

Valentine’s Day weekend will mean a romantic four-course dinner and wine pairing, with a complimentary glass of Sparkling Pointe wine for those who can show a copy ofHellenic’s newsletter in their name.

The winner of a Presidents’ Week Raffle will take home a $140 gift card, and on Leap Day on February 20, guests who buy one gyro can buy another for 40 cents. St. Patrick’s Day will see a menu of pedigree Wagyu Kobe corned beef and cabbage.

And in July, when the restaurant will celebrate its actual anniversary, there will be Greek music on the lawn.

Also on the menu this year are a series of wine pairing dinners, including a Prohibition Farmers’ Ball on April 9, featuring live jazz and blues, as well a five -course pairing and offerings by Shinn Vineyards, LIV Spirits, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, and hop and mushroom farmers.

Fans of Giannaris’ first book, ”Ferry Tales” will be delighted when he releases ”Ferry Tales 2: When Hellenic Freezes Over,” with a release party slated for Saturday, June 11. The book is a continuation of Giannaris’ first book, filled with personal stories, photographs and recipes.

Also new this year are menu items named after customers’ favorite orders, including Eileen Kapell’s salad in a pita and “The Norman”, a steak sandwich named after a longtime diner.

Keeping close to his customers means everything to Giannaris, and so, he’s launched a highly successful newsletter to share stories and events, a thread that keeps longtime friends and guests close even when he’s buried in paperwork in the back.

The newsletter shines with his trademark warmth and sincerity, his stories of a childhood spent with his family on the North Fork and his dreams for his sons.

With a whole new generation of visitors flocking to the North Fork, many of whom have never heard of Hellenic, Giannaris is always seeking new ways to spread the word. With 67 places to eat from Orient to Southold, Giannaris said the aim is find a way to bring diners back for an excellent culinary experience.

To that end, he’s done a food presentation at Martha Clara, and also offers a wide range of catering opportunities, including events, weddings, and even the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Takeout.

Deeply ingrained values, a respect and appreciation for the history of a restaurant that’s meant a lifetime of memories for generations, and a menu that delights — all intertwine to create a bastion of North Fork life that’s marking a milestone anniversary.

To his customers, he said, “I am looking forward to seeing you. I want to thank you in person for making Hellenic a North Fork landmark for 40 great years.”

After an interview last week, Giannaris went straight back to work, wearing a sweatshirt that said it all: “Life gave us lemons,” it said. “And we made lemonade.”

For a full list of ”40 Years, 40 Events,” click here.