Greek in the Heart of Italy: By Shayna Wiwierski
Fill your Greek cravings at Kristina’s on Corydon.
Blue walls, white columns, the smell of lemon roasted potatoes waft in the air. Sounds like Greece. Except this little piece of Greece is located in Winnipeg’s Italian district, Corydon Avenue and provides a haven and a different culture from those who surround it.
Kristina’s on Corydon has been on the strip since 1993 serving up authentic Greek cuisine to loyal Winnipeggers. The restaurant’s proprietor, Yvonne Nakoulas, moved to Canada in 1975 by way of Argos Greece, and wanted to bring a bit of her culture to the city.
“Greek food is one of the most healthiest foods. You cook with olive oil, spices are limited, and it’s all herbs. It’s very healthy. People say [other food] is organic and those things, but Greek food is organic from the time you start to the time you finish, it’s all fresh,” says Nakoulas, 50.
Kristina’s (which is named after Nakoulas’ oldest daughter who controls the kitchen) has all the delectable Greek dishes that makes the country famous for its cuisine. There’s the Kristina’s Greek Chicken, which is a juicy breaded chicken breast stuffed with authentic feta cheese, red and green peppers, broccoli, and black Kalamata olives, marinated in a creamy and delicious Mediterranean wine sauce. Or there’s the Spanakopita, a flaky appetizer that uses all organic herbs, wrapped in a beautiful phyllo pastry with tons of Greek feta cheese on top.
If you are feeling adventurous and want the whole Greek experience, try the Greek Platter which includes souvlaki, lemon roast potatoes, spanakopita, and more. For dessert try the baklava, which is homemade everyday like most of their dishes. It has almonds and walnuts wrapped in a phyllo pastry with honey syrup. All entrees come with a choice of soup or salad, rice or lemon roasted potatoes, vegetables, and garlic toast.
Although the restaurant is mainly known for its Greek fare, it’s not exclusively so. Kristina’s also serves up many North American dishes like steak, hamburgers, chicken fingers, and pasta, as well as a number of vegetarian dishes. They are also available to cater to events. Nakoulas, with the help of her staff, came up with all the dishes for the restaurant, with a little inspiration of course.
“All the stuff I make my grandma and mother made. I don’t have recipes, I see it and know.” And it’s this fresh food and classic recipes that make the restaurant so popular. “I have so many repeat clients, some people come in a few times a day.”
Tyler Scammell, a server that has been at the restaurant for the past three years, has only heard good things from customers about the food. “I never get complaints, it’s always good. It’s easy to serve people because they like the food,” says Scammell.
Although delicious, it’s not just the food that makes people come back for more. It’s also the charm of Nakoulas, who is at the restaurant every day, which brings a little personality into the establishment.
“People keep asking me to sell it. I would go crazy if I don’t work. I would have nothing to do,” says Nakoulas. Adds Scammell, “she went on a vacation and called like twice a day. She’s always here.”
