Guests at this Greek restaurant once tossed napkins from an upper level like confetti at a Mykonos party. Then, in the early hours of a June morning, fire turned the whole building into a total loss.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt.
Most restaurants would need years to recover from that. This one needed about four months.
The team found a new two-story home, painted it in island whites, and brought back the sushi and the grilled branzino that fans missed.
I love a good comeback story, and New Jersey just handed us a great one. I believe the speed alone deserves a standing ovation, or at least a napkin toss.
So how does a restaurant rise from ashes this fast? And does the new place still feel like the old favorite?
The answers are pretty delicious.
The Night Everything Changed, And The Comeback That Followed
June 11, 2026 started with terrible news for one beloved Greek spot. A fire broke out in the early morning hours at Lefkes Estiatorio on Sylvan Avenue in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
The building was declared a total loss. The good news was huge, though, because no injuries were reported.
Losing a restaurant is like losing a neighborhood living room. Birthdays, date nights, and big family dinners all happened under that roof.
Plenty of owners would have stepped back for a long while. Owner Georgia Dumas had other plans and started looking ahead almost right away.
Fast forward to Friday, October 9, 2026. That evening marked the grand opening of Lefkes at The Modern in nearby Fort Lee.
Do the math and you get roughly four months. That is a blink in restaurant time, where new openings often drag on forever.
I can’t imagine the late nights and stress packed into that stretch. Permits, menus, staffing, and design all had to come together fast.
The result feels less like a replacement and more like a sequel. Same heart, new address, and a story worth sharing at the table.
Two Restaurant Pros Joined Forces To Make It Happen
Teamwork made this comeback possible. Georgia Dumas, the owner of Lefkes, partnered with restaurateur Alexander Duran for the new venture.
Duran already knew the space well. He was the restaurateur behind Ventanas at The Modern, which previously occupied the same spot.
That connection explains a lot about the speed. Instead of starting from an empty shell, the team had a working restaurant ready for a makeover.
Even better, a big part of the Ventanas team stayed on. Their style of hospitality moved right into Lefkes at The Modern.
So you get a mix of two crews under one roof. Some familiar faces from the Englewood Cliffs days returned too, which feels like a warm welcome home.
Partnerships like this don’t always work smoothly. Here, it looks like two strong restaurant ideas found a way to blend instead of compete.
I like how the move gave both brands a fresh chapter. Ventanas fans keep their beloved space, and Lefkes fans get their favorite food back.
Call it the restaurant version of a friendly merger. Everybody wins, especially anyone hungry for grilled fish on a weeknight.
Find It At The Foot Of A Fort Lee High-Rise
Getting there is simple. Lefkes at The Modern sits at 200 Park Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, inside The Modern development.
Fort Lee is close to the George Washington Bridge. That makes the restaurant an easy stop for folks across Bergen County and even nearby New York City.
The move from Englewood Cliffs isn’t a long trip either. Longtime fans only need to adjust their route slightly to reach their old favorite.
A two-story layout gives the new home plenty of room. Upstairs and downstairs spaces open up options for dining, lounging, and the party later on.
Outside, there’s an outdoor patio plus a landscaped garden. On a nice evening, that kind of setting makes dinner feel like a mini vacation.
Reservations can be made online, including through OpenTable. Booking ahead seems smart, especially on weekend nights when the energy picks up.
Hours run seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Times can shift, so checking before you head out is always a good move.
Bonus tip: plan a little extra time for parking and finding the entrance. New spots in big buildings can take one lap to figure out.
White Walls And Murals Bring Greek Island Vibes Indoors
Santorini without the plane ticket. That seems to be the goal behind the redesign of the former Ventanas space.
White tones now cover the room, giving it that bright island feel. New murals add color and personality to the walls.
Lighting got an update too. Mediterranean-inspired furnishings round out the look, aiming to make you feel like you’re near the Aegean Sea.
The overall mood lands somewhere between upscale and relaxed. Think lounge comfort with enough polish for an anniversary or a big celebration.
Two levels give the room a sense of height. Looking down from above adds a little drama, which suits a place known for lively nights.
Design matters more than people admit. A beautiful room can turn a regular Tuesday dinner into something that feels special.
I believe the white palette was a clever choice after the fire. It feels clean, fresh, and full of hope, like a blank page for a new chapter.
Wear something you like being photographed in. Those murals and bright walls practically ask for a picture before the food arrives.
Order The Whole Fish And Let The Table Go Quiet
Seafood is the star of the show here. The menu features branzino, Mediterranean sea bream, grilled wild Atlantic salmon, and miso cod.
Branzino has a big following from the old location. Fans were thrilled to see it return with the move to Fort Lee.
The kitchen leans on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Many are local and organic, which matters a lot when fish is the main event.
Not sure which fish to pick? Asking your server for help is a smart move, since the options can change with the season.
Ordering by the pound works great for groups. Everyone can grab a piece while the platter sits proudly in the middle of the table.
Miso cod adds a fun twist to the lineup. It hints at the restaurant’s love of blending Greek tradition with other flavors.
Squeeze some lemon, pass the plates, and enjoy the moment. Good grilled fish has a way of making conversation slow down.
Sushi At A Greek Restaurant? Absolutely, And Fans Wanted It Back
Greek and sushi on one menu sounds like a plot twist. At Lefkes, it has been part of the identity for a while.
The restaurant kept its popular signature sushi selections in the new home. That was great news for anyone who loved them in Englewood Cliffs.
Why does it work? Both Greek cooking and sushi celebrate fresh seafood, so the pairing makes more sense than you’d expect.
Sushi also makes a nice starter while the table decides on mains. A roll or two keeps everyone happy during the menu debate.
Groups with mixed tastes benefit the most. One friend can go fully Greek while another sticks with sushi, and nobody has to compromise.
The lineup fits the modern Greek approach here. Traditional flavors share space with contemporary influences, and sushi slides right into that mix.
I like how it shows the restaurant’s personality. It refuses to be boxed into one category and seems happy about it.
My advice is to try at least one roll alongside the Greek dishes. Mixing worlds on one table is half the fun of this place.
Start With Mezze, Spreads, And A Plate Of Octopus
Grilled octopus might be the best way to kick things off. It’s one of the Greek specialties that headlines the menu at Lefkes at The Modern.
Spanakopita is there too. That flaky spinach pie is a Greek classic that rarely lasts long at a crowded table.
Stuffed eggplant adds a hearty, comforting option. Traditional spreads round out the starters, perfect for scooping and sharing.
Mezze plates are made for passing around. Ordering several lets everyone sample a little of everything without committing to one dish.
Sharing is a big part of Greek dining culture. Small plates keep the table lively and give conversation plenty of fuel.
Fresh, seasonal ingredients show up here as well. Simple dishes depend on good ingredients, so that focus really pays off.
Here’s a friendly strategy for first-timers. Order a round of mezze, see what disappears fastest, and build the rest of the meal from there.
Fair warning, it’s easy to fill up before the main course. Pace yourself, because the fish and steaks are still waiting in the wings.
Meat Lovers Get Their Own Spotlight Too
Not a fish person? No worries at all.
The heartier side of the menu brings serious options for anyone craving meat.
Lamb shank sits on the list, and it’s a natural fit for a Greek kitchen. Lamb plays a big role in traditional Greek cooking.
Australian lamb chops offer another lamb choice. They’re a great pick for anyone who likes something easy to share or enjoy solo.
Steak fans can choose filet mignon or prime ribeye. Those two cover both ends of the steak spectrum, from tender and lean to rich and bold.
Having these options matters for group dinners. A family outing works better when the seafood fan and the steak fan both leave happy.
Weekend brunch adds another reason to visit. It runs on Saturdays and Sundays, giving daytime diners their own way to enjoy the space.
I believe a strong menu has something for every appetite. This one checks that box without losing its Greek soul.
Pair a meaty main with a few mezze plates. That way you get a taste of the island and a hearty finish in one meal.
Stick Around After Dinner, Because The Party Starts Later
Mykonos nightlife inspired one of the most fun traditions at Lefkes. After dinner, DJs and entertainment take over and the room shifts into party mode.
The old location was famous for napkin parties. Guests tossed napkins from the upper level, filling the air with white like a snow globe.
The new space has two levels too. That means the napkin tradition has a natural stage, which feels like a happy coincidence.
Late nights run later toward the end of the week. Friday and Saturday hours stretch well past midnight, so night owls have options.
Not into late nights? Daily happy hour runs in the afternoon and early evening, giving you a calmer way to enjoy the scene.
Private spaces are also available for corporate gatherings and family events. A birthday with built-in entertainment sounds hard to top in New Jersey.
I love that the fire didn’t put out the fun. The team kept the energy that made Lefkes special and carried it into a brand-new home.
So save some energy after dessert. You may end up dancing, or at least waving a napkin with pride.
