There were no free tables at Opa Greek Restaurant on Valentine’s Night at Opa. Truth be told, there has never been a free table in the three years of its hosting the year’s most romantic night. Restaurateur and award-winning composer/recording artiste/producer Alexx Antaeus used the opportunity to thank guests for their patronage and to announce that this would be their last evening at the 75 Hope Road location. OPA was moving to Devon House. The reopening date: Friday, March 10, 2017

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“Our decision to relocate Opa,” explained Antaeus, “was based on three main factors:

1 Outrageously high rent increase at our present location.

2 Research showing that Kingstonians seem to prefer dining out where a “cluster of restaurants” exists.

3 Most importantly, sharing the vision of Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett and the newly created Gastronomy Group that Devon House can, and will, become a culinary centre of the Caribbean. We want to be part of this exciting future.”

The more with the relocation is that OPA will be rebranded as a Mediterranean restaurant and as such will introduce more culinary options alongside the Greek. “Seventy-five per cent of our menu will remain as is because it has been loved and appreciated by locals and visitors alike. But we will add other Mediterranean delicacies, such as paellas and crostinis,” he continued.

Ever the enthusiast, Antaeus has huge plans for a bar, “We are particularly excited about the addition of our Reggae Mill Bar… Devon House must have more Jamaican attractions. As the name implies, we will be playing reggae music only. EDM, dancehall and other genres of music will not be heard through our sound boxes. On occasions we will also utilise the space for live performances of reggae artists, especially up-and-coming ones. The Reggae Mill Bar will offer Yardie Finga Foods, such as patties, fla-fla and jerk chicken wings,” he said.

The affable restaurateur also plans in Phase 11 to open a Jamaican restaurant inside the Stiebel Room and is eyeing this space as a possible recording studio. “Just picture patrons dining or drinking at the Devonshire courtyard while a recording session is going on behind the glass… oh, those flickering mixing-board lights and VU sound meters!” It’s not hard to!

“The new logos were designed by Antaeus’s cousin Thanos Zakopoulos, the co-founder of one of Europe’s most successful art and design studios who recently visited Jamaica from his base in Milan, Italy and who’s also assisting with the interior design.

The new logo for OPA incorporates vibrant colours and modern fonts. We have introduced a warm yellow and an oval shape reminding us of an olive (which represents in an abstract way the Mediterranean). Furthermore, yellow is a colour that is peculiar both to the Mediterranean and Jamaica. It’s the colour of sunshine and happiness. We will retain our “opa blue,” which represents the sea, and we are reintroducing a teal/green, which, along with the yellow makes reference to the Jamaican flag, “ Antaeus note.

Thursday Food suggests that you — SAVE THE DATE Friday, March 10

. It’s going to be one helluva opening!