Mediterranean Fine Dining Restaurant Symposia Opens Oct. 4 in Detroit’s Greektown

Symposia, a Mediterranean-inspired fine dining restaurant located within the Atheneum Suite Hotel in Detroit’s Greektown, will open on Oct. 4.
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A variety of plates from the new Mediterranean fine dining restaurant Symposia in Detroit's Greektown Casino and Hotel. // Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender
A variety of plates from the new Mediterranean fine dining restaurant Symposia in Detroit’s Greektown. // Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender

Symposia, a Mediterranean-inspired fine dining restaurant located within the Atheneum Suite Hotel in Detroit’s Greektown, will open on Oct. 4.

Featuring a menu created by executive chef Elliot Patti, Symposia highlights the Mediterranean region inspired by Greece, Italy, Spain, and more.

Signature dishes will include Roasted Beet with whipped feta, pickled strawberry, green harissa; Spanish octopus with Romesco, Yukon potato, and Chorizo Iberico; Prawn Bucatini with Greek olive oil, garlic, blistered tomato, confit lemon, Kalamata olives, fried parsley; Australian Lamb Chop; Amish Half Bird, with harissa, crème fraiche and an olive oil cake with pistachio, orange, honey-whipped Greek yogurt.

The interior of Symposia. // Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender
The interior of Symposia. // Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender

The restaurant will be overseen by the Papas family, which also owns and operates the Atheneum Suite Hotel and Conference Center, A Bar, Pegasus Taverna, Mosaic, and Santorini Estiatorio — all located in Greektown

“Since we opened Mosaic and Santorini Estiatorio, we’ve been eager to introduce another restaurant concept in the Greektown district,” says Athina Papas, executive at the Atheneum Suite Hotel. “Symposia will build on our commitment to preserving the cultural aspects of the area, as well as enhancing the community moving forward.”

Chef Patti, who will lead the culinary team, was raised in Hawaii by his Irish mother and his Sicilian father, and he trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles. He has worked in Five Diamond and Michelin 3-Star restaurants worldwide, from Spain and France to England and San Francisco, and served as a private chef for celebrities.

Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender
Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender

“The menu for Symposia is a culmination of my culinary experiences,” says Patti. “I twist authentic recipes by taking liberties with unexpected juxtaposition. I look forward to serving these dishes to our guests.”

Symposia’s wine list features many California favorites as well as popular wine regions in Europe. Offerings include Nickle & Nickel ‘Truchard’ (Caneros, CA), Quintessa ‘Rutherford Blend’ (Napa Valley, CA), Veuve Clicquot ‘La Grand Dame’ (Reims FR), Quilt (Napa Valley, CA), Renato Ratti ‘Marcenasco’ (Piemonte, IT), Vieux Château Mazerat (Saint-Émilion Bordeaux, FR, Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia (Epanomi, GR), and other unique offerings.

St. Clair Shores-based Olon Interior designed the space, which evokes a Mediterranean landscape with white and sea blue accents alongside materials like stone and wood. Just outside of Symposia in the Atheneum lobby (also designed by Olon), diners will see artwork depicting Plato’s “Symposium.”

Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender
Courtesy of Gerard and Belevender

“We didn’t have to look far for inspiration,” says Papas. “The art piece in our A Bar of Plato’s Symposium inspired the vision for the restaurant. Symposiums of ancient times were used as a space to gather, drink, and dine in celebration of an exchange of ideas and philosophies. In that same spirit, Symposia provides a welcoming atmosphere for family and friends to gather while savoring our unique cuisine.”

With a seating capacity of 65, Symposia will be open for dinner Tuesday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are recommended, but not required, and can be made by calling the restaurant directly at 313-962-9366.

Complimentary valet parking is available. Symposia is located in the Atheneum Suite Hotel and Conference Center at 1000 Brush Street in Detroit.

For more information, visit symposiadetroit.com.