Árdana’s Food & Drink Opens Its Doors At The Village Of Newtown

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Árdana’s Food & Drink, a 6,700 square foot Mediterranean-style restaurant owned by brothers Mike and Antoni Christou, opens its doors today at the former site of Solstice in the Village of Newtown Shopping Center at Eagle and Durham roads.

The Newtown location is the second under the Árdana’s name for the brothers who also own and operate Árdana’s on Easton Road at the Shops at Valley Square in Warrington. They opened their Warrington location in 2019.

The full service restaurant will provide 159 seats inside with an additional 90 seats at an outdoor patio during the warmer seasons.

"We are so excited. We can't wait to show people why we are so passionate about this concept, the
quality of the food we're serving and the level of service we provide," said Mike.

The restaurant gets its name from Árdana, a small farming village in Cyprus where the owners’ grandmother was raised. Their goal, Mike told Patch, is to transport guests to the Mediterranean while showcasing the beauty of the native style of eating known as “mezze”, where the entirety of the meal is shared amongst family and friends.

The inspiration for Árdana’s cuisine comes from influences from across the region including Italian and Middle Eastern flavors.

Ricotta Ravioli. (Ardana's)

"We don't call it a Cyprus restaurant. We don't call it a Greek restaurant. We call it Mediterranean because we pull inspiration, dishes, flavors and ideas from that whole region of the world," said Mike. "You have the fresh, light coastal flavors of Cyprus. You have pastas and pizzas from Italy. And you have the spices and flavors of the Middle East. We cover that whole area of the world."

Among the restaurant's most popular dishes are its fresh pastas, its wood-fired pizza and its
Mediterranean-style dishes, including whole-char grilled bronzino and roasted lamb chops.

Some of its small plates include whipped ricotta, calamari, Mediterranean olives, spiced lamb and chicken skewers, salted roasted beets and humus.

Other menu items include pan-seared Atlantic salmon, eggplant Milanese, prime grade sirloin, vodka rigatoni, braised pork ragu and mushroom cavatelli.

Roasted Lamb Chops. (Ardana's)

Brothers Mike and Antoni were raised in Newtown Township not far from Goodnoe Elementary School and graduated from Council Rock High School North. Their calling to the restaurant industry came early when they began working in their family’s restaurants in New Jersey as young teenagers.

Mike fondly remembers growing up in Newtown, enjoying the food and ice cream at the former Goodnoe Dairy Bar and Restaurant, Issac Newton's (before and after the fire) and the Italian dishes served at La Stalla, Meglio and Vecchia Osteria by Pasquale.

"It feels like a homecoming," said Mike of their return to Newtown. "Once we put up our sign people started calling and emailing. We have heard from people we haven't heard from in a while. But we love Newtown and Council Rock. And we're looking forward to renewing all of our old
friendships."

The brothers said they are thrilled to be bringing a piece of their heritage back to Newtown with Árdana Food & Drink.

Mike and Antoni Christou with their father. (Ardana's)

"Once you enter our doors you’ll feel as if you’re among family with a fresh and airy environment and plates that draw inspiration straight from the coast of Árdana," they wrote on their website. "After one visit, Árdana will quickly become a favorite amongst family and friends - for dinner, parties, and every meal in-between."

The restaurant will be serving the same menu as Warrington, but it also will be open for lunch service during the work week with brunch served on the weekends. To view the Árdana menu, click here.