Balos Now Open In Former Besito Spot In West Hartford

Balos Estiatorio is now open in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square. The restaurant at 46 S. Main St. replaces the former Besito, which closed in July 2017.

George Chatzopoulos, the owner of the Chip’s Family Restaurant local chain and two The Simple Greek fast-casual franchises in Glastonbury and West Hartford, partnered with co-owner Odysseus Rethis to open the upscale Greek restaurant.

In April, Rethis told The Courant Balos is named for a beach on the coast of Crete, Greece’s largest island, and described the restaurant’s style as “elegant-rustic” and its planned menu, with small plates and larger entrees, as “upscale but playful.”

Balos’ online menu features a variety of spreads with grilled pita and crudite (tzatziki, spiced feta, skordalia, hummus) and appetizers like spanakopita, saganaki (fried flaming cheese), dolmades and seafood like calamari, octopus, mussels and scallops.

“Mains” are also seafood-heavy, with salmon and halibut dishes, seafood orzotto with shrimp, clams, scallops, mussels and lobster meat; a lobster and shrimp pasta and a fisherman’s stew. Moussaka, lamb chops, pan-seared chicken and filet mignon are among the other options, along with vegetarian plates and whole grilled fish.

A menu on OpenTable lists Balos’ appetizers and spreads at $8 to $19, salads at $13 to $15, mains at $24 to $48 and whole fish at $32 to $38. Sides like potatoes, rice and vegetables are $9.

The restaurant also offers a selection of Greek wines, suggesting varietals like Moschofilero, Assyrtiko and Xinomavro as pairings with entrees.

Balos is open Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Closed Mondays. 860-461-1010, balosgreek.com.

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