4DTHOmnibusThursday, February 2, 1989 Welcome to Cafe Giorgios where food functions as art By ANNE-RENEE RICE Staff Writer if you're often homesick for your mom's cooking, you can now dine at a new restaurant in Uni versity Square whose owner understands just how you feel. Giorgios Bakatsias of Cafe Gior gios considers his mother's culi nary talents as tops. "I want to share the love for food, hospitality and warmth that my mother gives in her kitchen," says Bakatsias. He recently opened the cafe after 10 years in the restaurant business. The University Square location houses his fifth establish ment. He opened his first, The Columns, when he was 21. The Columns, which is in Cary. and The Nicholas in Durham, are formal dining restaurants. However, Cafe Giorgios is fine dining in a casual setting. "I saw a need in the restaurant market for good, quality food that could be available to everyone," said Bakatsias. "It's important to use simple and basic products, but the fun of it comes from being creative with the food." Bakatsias takes great pride in how his food is presented. For example, a pattern is usually created with each meal, whether it's a unique garnish arrangement of herbs or an appealing color scheme with the ingredients. "Food is art for Bakatsias," says Dan Hussman, manager of Cafe Giorgios. "It's always a joy to see General College By ANDREW LAWLER Staff Writer General College, UNC's only nationally telecast production, had quite a busy first-semester season. Here's a quick summary of last semester's exploits with some hints of what's to come. Tessa was arrested for drug dealing after being fingered by Ann. Swearing revenge, Tessa enlisted Trevor's help in framing Ann for a theft she didnt com mit. However, Trevor fell for the ex-addict. Or did he? It all ended at the muzzle of a vengeful Rops a diner's reaction when the food is served." Before opening Cafe Giorgios, Bakatsias took a month to train his staff. He taught them tech niques for becoming acquainted with the dishes and wines that the restaurant serves. The interior of Cafe Giorgios has a chic atmosphere. "When traveling through Europe, I fell in love with the romance of fine dining," he said. The decor is energetic A black-and-white checkerboard floor immediately stands out after entering. Paintings in the art deco style, by Henrik Fontazios, adorn the walls. But the element which ties all others together is the patrons. "Dining is a way of life it's a culture. There is more to eating than 'Give me my food I'm leaving " Bakatsias says. "Eating should be a relaxed and enjoyable event." Hussmann describes the menu as "multi-ethnic" Many national favorites are served, such as the prized Spanish dish, paella. It's a combination of rice, sausage, seafood and chicken. Another winner is the hearty French dish, bouillabaisse. It's a thick and rich stew - like a melange of fish and shellfish, which is seasoned with tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and wine. Other ethnic items boast of Greek, Italian, Continental and Oriental origin. Tessa's gun. Next season bodes ill as one of the characters intercepts a bullet. But which one? Jason. UNC's bisexual philander ing frat-boy. found true love with good girl Courtney. Faced with opposition from both black and white groups, the affair was a rocky one. Jason got beaten up by his tolerant frat brothers and the season ended with Courtney, after ignoring a mysterious warning not to go to her lab, was grabbed by a mystery man. These two survive to go ... on the run? Alex and Jack took all semester trying to make up and just Yourself a Bargain! ICE PRICE- BOOKS RECORDS Sl MAGAZINES We buy and sell books, records, tapes and magazines. 300 E. Main, Carrboro . 929-6222 10-10 Mon.-Sun. 3427 Hillsborough Rd , Durham 383-0119 10-10 Mon.-Sun. ' - V ' ' -SL f S : , if . p v lilr J? " '"MK- I i 4 & sL " h??7" . ? v. "' f " -juror. -.-nrrmnn ... - T J f x ' ?iw jy . , - x Standing in front of a wall mural, An extensive wine list offers specialties from Australia, France, Chile and Greece, to name a few. Cafe Giorgios offers about 20 imported beers as well. Drink specials run on a weekly basis. On Tuesdays imported pints of beer are $1.50. Other imported beer is $1.75, with domestic beer at $1.25. On Thursdays, highballs are $1.75. Mondays, Cafe Giorgios offers free appetizers with any entree. in addition to good food, the restaurant serves up good, live missed each other at the airport. Alex had become entangled with Duke snob Trip. And Alex's good friend Priscilla had made a play for Jack. Jack got his big record ing break and was sent the travel money anonymously that is, by Alex. Will they be reunited?. Will Trip give up? And who's got' a skeleton in the closet? Brendan and Mary Catherine's wedding started out at a high point of a miscarried baby and steadily worsened. Brendan spent several episodes deciding if he should visit Mary Catherine in the hospital and upon her return began to bang the sexy neighbor next door. Mary Catherine left waiter Patrick Hurley prepares for entertainment. A variety of pop ular entertainers, including Rebecca and the Hi-Tones, Eve Cornelius and Chipp Crawford, Mr. Potato Head and Five Guys Named Moe, has performed at the cafe. Hussmann says the diners are not reluctant to get up and dance in the areas around their table. "It's great that people feel comfortable here, we want them to have fun," he said. You can have some affordable fun at Cafe Giorgios for lunch Monday through Friday, 11 am. to the jerk. What's coming up? Too gross to tell. Meg and Paige finally got rapist Kirk busted. Meg went through therapy and emerged her old spunky self. Paige's life got worse after fights with Billy and amid a myriad of other joys she became anorexic and bulimic Superjock Kyle Donovan was introduced, along with his sport star groupie-girlfriend Carmen. Kyle was on top of the world as the star of the soccer team and wasted no time in alienating nerdy roommate Ken with his antics. A drunk Kyle fell off the ninth floor of Morrison while celebrating a big victory. Super- 10:30 Em- 2:33 cm 610W.Frcnk!!nSt. Chapel Kill, DTHSteven Exum the dinner crowd at Cafe Giorgios. 2:30 p.m. Daily specials are offered, as well as two or three homemade soups. Lunch averages about $5. Dinner dishes are served from 5:30 p.m. until 11 pm, Monday through Saturday. The bar is open until 1 am, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays. Treat yourself or a date to the unique atmosphere of Cafe Gior gios as a way to avoid the winter blahs. The flair of the food and the spirit of the restaurant make it yet another contender for the business of Chapel Hill diners. jock lost the use of his legs as well as his shallow girlfriend. Carmen promptly latched onto Kyle's replacement. Meg was assigned as his therapist and arrived to see the despondent ex-jock sprawled on his bed with an empty box of pills in his hand. zoe told everybody about everything. Ken found a love of his own, in State student Violet. A smooth courtship led to safe sex by both well-prepared parties. Next semester Ken gets to sing and Violet gets to swing. Dont miss the thrills, chills and spills of G.C " KC