Simone Koutoufaris grew up in the restaurant business. Her parents owned a Greek restaurant, Ikaros, in Shadyside in the early 1980s. For the past 10 years, Koutoufaris has operated Opa Gyros, a Greek takeout place in Schenley Plaza, but she always wanted a brick-and-mortar place of her own.
“I looked all over, but never found the right location,” she says.
Her search ended earlier this year, when she opened Simone’s at 665 Washington Road, in the space most recently occupied by Kous Kous Express. Breakfast specials include the Avocadonater, an omelet featuring bacon and avocado; crepes, both savory and sweet; and Greek eggs Benedict, with tzakziki sauce standing in for hollandaise. The lunch menu includes burgers, sandwiches and salads.
“It’s stuff we can manage,” says Koutoufaris. “A little bit of everything.”
Simone’s is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Learn more here [1].