Chef Doug Psaltis announced the appointment of Chris Farrell as the new Wine Director at Andros Taverna in Chicago’s Logan Square. Farrell brings Grecian viticulture knowledge as the restaurant expands its wine catalogue and dinner programming moving into 2022, beginning first with a paired wine dinner this week.
“The biggest takeaway I want for guests is to leave Andros knowing that Greece is experiencing a renaissance in quality wine production. Get into the Greek wine scene while it’s emerging, and get excited for new bottles when you return to Andros,” says Farrell.
Farrell broke into the hospitality industry while working with Lettuce Entertain You restaurants before joining Andros full-time to study under Chef Psaltis and former sommelier Kristin Francesco. Both Psaltis and Farrell keep themselves open for exploration, which allows them the challenge of new and interesting takes on traditional dishes.
“Doug is a visionary and truly on the forefront of what he does,” says Farrell. “To see him constantly challenging, improving and expanding upon the possibilities of what he can do with tradition and modernity is just where you want to learn.”
Since joining Andros, the restaurant has added at least 25 different labels to the wine program under Farrell. He cites Ted Diamantis from Diamond Wine Importers as his great friend, mentor and colleague who has helped shape his education on Greek viticulture and expanding the restaurant’s wine catalogue. The goal for Farrell is to have an explorative experience with guests to show them parts of the Greek wine world that they may not have known until a visit to Andros. Modern practices from Italy, France and California have made their way to Greece, making the islands the forefront on how to make wine from a region so suited to producing agriculture.
Farrell’s first wine dinner on December 8, 2021 features a curated selection of savory, rich, juicy, and expressive Xinomavro that pairs a special menu curated by Chef Psaltis full of hearty winter dishes. Diners in Chicago can expect even more wine dinners in the future that pair the best Greek wines along with the ever changing menus at Andros Taverna.
