Chef Constantine Kalandranis has been a fixture on Nyack’s bustling North Broadway since 2012, when he opened 8 North Broadway, a fine dining Mediterranean eatery. When he wanted to return to his Greek roots, he morphed the space into The Greekish, which focused on the foods he grew up eating. And in what he says is his “latest and last rebranding,” Kalandranis is filling yet another niche in Nyack’s flourishing dining scene: the elevated, yet approachable, oyster bar. One where patrons can pop in for a light bite and a glass of bubbly or linger over a heartier entrée.
“I wanted to simplify my menu and make it more affordable so that our customers could come in a couple of times a week,” says Kalandranis of his latest venture. “A place where they could have a drink and a flight of oysters, with the option to stay for a fine dining experience if they wanted to.”
To home in on this concept—and make the stunning copper bar that is original to the space a focal point—he went behind the bar himself, mixing martinis while chatting up customers about what they were looking for in a night out in Nyack. Centering his menu around bivalves became a no-brainer when he discovered Island Creek Oysters, a company in Massachusetts that overnights oysters within hours of being pulled from New England waters. He paired $1 Oysters with $5 Bubbly—a crisp, cold glass of cava or rosé—which was a huge hit with customers coming in for happy hour. “My wife Janet said to me, ‘If you have really good oysters, hot French fries, and awesome cheese, you’re almost there.’ So, I knew we’d be okay.”
“It’s about connection, giving people a place to hang out with their friends and eat really good food.”
While there are, indeed, fries, tater tots, and homemade potato chips on the menu, Little Dean’s also has a robust Snack + Share lineup that includes crab croquettes, smoked caviar deviled eggs, yellowfin tuna tartare nachos, BBQ smothered wings, and scungilli and shrimp ceviche. All can be washed down with an $8 mini martini or a mini Manhattan, smaller versions of classic cocktails crafted by beverage director Jorge Alvarez. For those who want to stay for dinner, more substantial fare like grilled Spanish octopus, hanger steak frites, and a soft-shell crab roll are also available. “We’re still focusing on ingredients, lots of fresh herbs, and good quality olive oil, but we’re doing it in a more approachable style,” says Kalandranis.
In keeping with its chic neighborhood watering hole vibe, the colorful paintings lining the walls are the work of local artists. Expect live music from area musicians on Friday nights, along with DJ sets and a late-night menu (featuring happy hour specials) on Saturdays. There’s also brunch on Sundays, and at lunchtime, fish and chips and patty melt burgers take center stage. Happy hour is still a thing (Monday-Friday), with those $1 oysters that were a hit right out of the gate. “It’s really about connection, giving people a place to hang out with their friends and eat really good food,” says Kalandranis. “That’s what’s most important.”
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