A familiar restaurant location on South Seminary Street has a new chapter.
Evgenia (pronounced Ev-ye-NEE-ah), a Mediterranean-style steakhouse owned by Galesburg natives Chris Deligiannis and Gina Suhomske, opened April 3 at 41 S. Seminary St.
The space was most recently occupied by Craft, which closed in December. Over the years, the location has housed several eateries and pubs with distinct personalities.
For the owners, the opportunity to open a restaurant in the downtown location felt personal.
“This spot has always spoken to us,” Suhomske said. “I love the row of businesses along this street. This opportunity was a beautiful gift, actually.”
The pair bring a mix of culinary influences shaped by family traditions and professional experience.
“She’s Italian. I’m Greek and Mexican,” Deligiannis said. “We want to feature a lot of things we grew up on.”
Deligiannis comes from a family well known in Galesburg’s restaurant scene. His father, Spiro, and mother, Sandy, once operated the Family Table on North Henderson Street, Bubba’s Place in Avon and Nicco’s, which was located next to the former Northgate Lanes.
“I never wanted to get into the restaurant industry, but it gets in your blood,” he said.
Deligiannis’ experience included bartending jobs around the world, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Poland, Iceland and Serbia.
Asked how he managed multiple languages, Deligiannis joked: “The good thing is Jack and Coke is the same in all languages.”
Suhomske trained at the Culinary Institute of Chicago and worked for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises before returning to Galesburg.
“I started very young,” she said. “I always was in love with food and hospitality.”
The two previously worked at several Galesburg restaurants — including Craft — and met while working at Soangetaha Country Club.
Suhomske serves as Evgenia’s chef, while Deligiannis handles bartending and other operational duties.
Deligiannis made one thing clear.
“She is the boss here and at home,” he said.
Although Evgenia retains much of the old-world atmosphere of its predecessor — including a grand piano, fireplace, cocktail lounge, private room and much of the same staff — the owners said they are putting their own stamp on the restaurant.
“We brought prices down a little bit so they’re more affordable,” Deligiannis said. “It’s a small menu, but everything is fresh.”
“We try to stick with what we know,” Suhomske said.
Artwork created by local artists is also featured throughout the restaurant.
“We have a great relationship with the community, and we love local artists,” Suhomske said. The collection includes pieces from Knox College and the Galesburg Community Arts Center. “We are so gifted in this town.”
About 50 percent of the menu could change daily, Deligiannis said, as the restaurant focuses on fresh, seasonal offerings.
Current small plates include calamari, baked goat cheese, shrimp cocktail, souvlaki, baked clams and roasted artichokes. Pasta offerings include Pastichio, Tagliatelle Gina and linguine.
Steak selections include filet mignon and New York strip, while seafood options include fresh trout and salmon. Also available are Yiayia’s chicken and cheeseburgers with frites.
“Our food and service will do our talking for us,” Suhomske said.
A week after opening, the owners said the early response has been encouraging.
“It’s been nothing short of beautiful,” Deligiannis said. “It’s been incredible.”
Evgenia is open 4-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 4-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed Sunday.
