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Lombardi Family Concepts to Turn Former Yia Yia Mary’s Into Eliás Estiatorio, a New Greek Restaurant in Uptown Houston

The hospitality group behind Toulouse, Maison Chinoise, and Lombardi Cucina will reimagine the longtime Uptown favorite as a contemporary Greek dining destination opening this winter
Written By: author avatar Megha McSwain
author avatar Megha McSwain
Megha McSwain is the Texas Editor for DiningOut Magazine, managing editorial content for Houston and Dallas. Megha was born in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Houston. She has a passion for reporting on food, restaurants, chefs, and travel, and has contributed to outlets like Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways throughout her career. As a trusted member of the local media, Megha also appears as a regular guest on local lifestyle television shows, Great Day Houston on KHOU11, and Texas Today on NBC5.
A rendering of Eliás Estiatorio reveals the restaurant's Mediterranean-inspired dining room, where warm wood tones, woven lighting, lush greenery, and coastal design elements will transform the former Yia Yia Mary's space in Uptown Houston. | Photo by NDD Design
A rendering of Eliás Estiatorio reveals the restaurant's Mediterranean-inspired dining room, where warm wood tones, woven lighting, lush greenery, and coastal design elements will transform the former Yia Yia Mary's space in Uptown Houston. | Photo by NDD Design

Lombardi Family Concepts, the restaurant group behind Lombardi Cucina Italiana, Maison Chinoise, and Toulouse, is bringing another ambitious dining destination to Houston—this time with a taste of the Greek isles.

The Dallas-based hospitality group has announced plans to open Eliás Estiatorio this winter at 4747 San Felipe St., transforming the former Yia Yia Mary’s space near the Galleria into a contemporary Greek restaurant rooted in Mediterranean flavors and hospitality.

Inspired by the culinary traditions of Greece through a modern coastal lens, Eliás Estiatorio will center its menu on fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and ingredient-driven dishes that celebrate the simplicity and balance of classic Greek cooking. The concept promises an elevated yet approachable take on Mediterranean cuisine, emphasizing pristine ingredients and unfussy preparations.

The opening marks another significant investment in Houston for Lombardi Family Concepts. Founded by restaurateur Alberto Lombardi, the group has built a loyal local following with upscale restaurants that anchor some of the city’s premier retail and mixed-use destinations, including Lombardi Cucina Italiana at Uptown Park, Maison Chinoise at River Oaks Shopping Center, and Toulouse at River Oaks District.

Designed by NDD Design-Build, Eliás Estiatorio will replace Yia Yia Mary’s longtime look with interiors inspired by Greece’s coastal villages. Mediterranean wood tones, soft curves, textured finishes, and architectural archways are intended to evoke the relaxed elegance of the Aegean while creating a polished dining room in the heart of Uptown.

“When you go to the Mediterranean, people take time to enjoy life, food and each other,” Lombardi said in a statement. “That was the inspiration for Eliás Estiatorio—to create a beautiful, energetic place where guests can relax, celebrate, and share a memorable meal together.”

Beyond the menu and design, Eliás aims to capture the spirit of traditional Greek hospitality, encouraging leisurely meals and convivial gatherings in a space that feels sophisticated without sacrificing warmth.

Eliás Estiatorio is expected to open in winter 2026, giving one of Uptown’s most recognizable restaurant addresses an entirely new identity.

Eliás Estiatorio, 4747 San Felipe St., Houston, lombardifamilyconcepts.com

author avatar
Megha McSwain Texas Managing Editor
Megha McSwain is the Texas Editor for DiningOut Magazine, managing editorial content for Houston and Dallas. Megha was born in Mumbai, India, and currently resides in Houston. She has a passion for reporting on food, restaurants, chefs, and travel, and has contributed to outlets like Food Network, Eater, InsideHook, Resy, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways throughout her career. As a trusted member of the local media, Megha also appears as a regular guest on local lifestyle television shows, Great Day Houston on KHOU11, and Texas Today on NBC5.
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