About Us

Ithaki Estiatorio brings the spirit of Greek hospitality — xenia — to Chicago's Greektown, from Forte Hospitality Group, the neighborhood-focused restaurant company behind Lincoln Park's Sapori Trattoria and Butcher & The Bear.

​

Ithaki is led by Partner Kosti Demos, whose roots in hospitality run deep — he got his start in his family's restaurant at 13 and later helped oversee Costas in Greektown alongside his uncle, a beloved landmark of elevated Greek cuisine. Ithaki is Kosti's most personal project to date, built to help revitalize the neighborhood and celebrate the spirit of Hellenic hospitality with an experience inspired by the timeless beauty of the Aegean.

​

He's joined by Partner John Lawson, who brings more than 25 years of experience in construction and design, and Chef Partner Saul Ramos, who leads the kitchen. From bussing tables at 13 to leading kitchens across Chicago and Miami, Saul has spent his career crafting elevated dining experiences rooted in passion and creativity. At Ithaki, he's building a menu that honors Greek heritage while celebrating the beauty of seasonal ingredients and modern technique.

​

Every dish at Ithaki is served in the spirit of xenia — the ancient Greek tradition of welcoming guests as honored friends. A new chapter of Greek hospitality has arrived in Chicago.