More dining variety is headed to Wilmette.

Greek restaurant Taverna Naxos plans to occupy 111 Green Bay Road, a site left vacant by Firefly Kitchen in 2020.

The Record failed to reach leaders of Taverna Naxos by press time (Tuesday, May 16), but confirmed that the restaurant applied for a liquor license with the Village of Wilmette in April and appeared in front of the Appearance Review Commission in February.

The commission granted Taverna Naxos approval for an aluminum-paneled sign — white with black lettering — to replace the current wooden one. The new restaurant will also install two window decals, according to the meeting minutes.

A submitted sketch of Taverna Naxos showing the restaurant’s approved signage. | Image from Village of Wilmette

A letter to the Village from Cameel Halim, listed as a managing member of Taverna Naxos, says the restaurant plans to be open six evenings a week and closed on Mondays. The liquor application lists the restaurant’s planned hours as 4-9 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, and 4-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The restaurant can seat 60 in its primary dining room, 30 more upstairs and another 30 in an outdoor patio, according to Halim’s letter.

“Taverna Naxos … is the result of a demand for quality and authentic Green food in the North Shore,” Halim wrote in the letter. “We are pleased to offer a combination of Greek food in a fun and exciting atmosphere.”

A website attributed to Taverna Naxos at 111 Green Bay Road is live. Though it is incomplete, it links to a menu that lists classic Greek dishes, such as saganaki, dolmathakia, moussaka and baklava.

Firefly Kitchen took over 111 Green Bay Road in 2015 from A la Carte catering, which then operated out of other retail locations and is now the vendor for Kenilworth Community Cafe.

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