Avli's Eleftheria Sioulas on Her Favorite Spots in the City

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Every month, people from Chicago's hospitality industry share recommendations for food, drink, ingredients, and more as part of our Chef Picks series.

Eleftheria “Ele” Sioulas was born in Chicago but was raised in Athens, and attended culinary school at Le Monde in Greece. After returning to Chicago, she spent four years cooking at the Langham Hotel in River North before joining Avli’s expanding restaurant group in 2021. As executive sous chef at Avli on the Park in Lakeshore East, she gets to be creative with the cuisine of her beloved homeland, sharing the rich traditions of Greek food that she learned from her grandmother. 

Here are her Chicago picks based on her time spent enjoying the city with her five-year-old son.

Favorite Restaurant

Lao Peng You in Ukrainian Village

Favorite Dish

The pistachio ravioli at Cira restaurant in the Hoxton Hotel

Favorite Place to Drink

I don't drink coffee, so I am always looking for cool places with unique tea flavors! I love Oud Coffee & Cafe. 

Favorite Place to Buy Ingredients

Green City Market in Lincoln Park. I love working with seasonal produce and connecting directly with farmers: it brings meaning to the food.

Favorite Local Chicago Brand

Zarlengo’s Italian Ice has the best gelato!

Favorite Place in the City to Bring an Out-of-Town Guest

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

A Person in the Industry You Admire

Chef Bill Kim [of Urbanbelly]! He has established several notable restaurants throughout his career, blending his Korean heritage with diverse culinary influences.