Yanni’s has great food in beautiful new location
A friendly and lively spot, Yanni’s is the perfect place for families and friends to enjoy flavorful food and an array of libations in a beautiful setting.
After 12 years in Poway, Yanni and Denise Pihas moved their successful restaurant to a larger location in Scripps Ranch in July. The expanded restaurant features two stylish dining rooms, a large indoor bar with a community table, a spacious outdoor terrace and a relaxing outdoor lounge. Easily accessible off Interstate 15, the restaurant offers plenty of free parking, too.
Greek and Italian inspired dishes highlighted on the extensive lunch and dinner menus are prepared in the state-of-the-art kitchen. Enjoy Happy Hour specials created by mixologist bartenders or a glass of wine bottled especially for Yanni’s in the full-service bar.
“Our culinary adventure began 30 years ago,” said Pihas, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1985 with his sister and settled in Boston. “I first worked as a pizza cook for a short time at a place where everybody spoke Greek.”
Although he did not speak English, he spoke French, which earned him a position at a French café - an opportunity Pihas is grateful to have had, he said.
However, it was his job at one of Boston’s highest grossing restaurants that convinced Pihas to pursue working in the food and beverage industry. Eventually he made his way to Los Angeles, where he and his wife opened their first restaurant.
At Yanni’s top-quality ingredients are used, and the dishes are freshly prepared. The ricotta and mascarpone cheese are made in-house as well as the pita chips and salad dressings.
“Also what makes a big difference is we provide the best service, whenever we can say ‘yes’ we say ‘yes,’ ” he said. “Always our goal is to wow our guests with something we are proud of.”
The new location offers an expanded menu that includes burgers. Keeping with the Mediterranean influence, the lamb burger is topped with gorgonzola, mushroom, onion and avocado ($18). Yanni’s cheeseburger combines bacon, aged cheddar with tomato and lettuce ($16). Nearly a dozen sandwiches are offered on the lunch menu ($11.50 to $14).
Steamed black mussels in saffron, garlic cream, rosemary and white wine ($16) are an excellent starter. Or, mix and match fresh pita bread with one or more dips – Tzatziki, a yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill dip; Hummus, a dip made with garbanzo bean, garlic and lemon juice, and Tirokafteri, a slightly spicy dip made with feta, whipped cream cheese, pepperoncini and serrano peppers. Prices vary from small for $7, large for $10 or the trio for $13. A great variety of bruchetta is available by the slice ($2 to $3 per piece). Pihas shares a bit of his childhood with the Spartan Bruschetta. Based on his grandmother’s recipe, grilled bread is topped with fresh chopped tomato, feta, onion and olive oil ($2.25 per piece).
Popular dinners include the chicken lasagna – layers of housemade ricotta, Parmesean and mozzarella cheese in Bechamel and marinara sauces ($16), Alaskan king crab legs with spaghetti, butter, tomatoes, peas and lemon ($36) and NY strip steak ($32). A variety of skewers are available. Choose from chicken, shrimp, lamb and beef tenderloin served with roasted vegetables (from $16 to $22). The menu also includes a number of unique salads ($11 to $16), all of which are offered in small and large sizes.
Budino, a rich Italian chocolate pudding is the No. 1 selling dessert, but cheesecake lovers are sure to delight in Denise’s ricotta cheesecake (prices vary).