Paréa
"My entire family is all about food. It's what our family revolves around." Manoli Katsanevas, owner of the eponymous Manoli’s as well as the less formal Paréa, was born and raised in the world of food. When he turned eighteen, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in this field. Today, he has woven his Greek heritage into the culinary fabric of Salt Lake City, creating dining experiences that celebrate family, tradition, and exceptional cuisine.
Manoli’s passion for food was ignited in his youth, growing up in a Greek household where meals were central to family life. His mother, an exceptional cook, would prepare feasts for twenty, even when only five were dining, embodying the Greek spirit of hospitality and abundance. At thirteen, Manoli began working at Salt Lake's Crown Burgers, his family’s fast-food business known for pastrami burgers and gyros. Eager to deepen his knowledge, Manoli attended a two-year cooking school at Salt Lake Community College, earning an associate degree. He then honed his skills in various local restaurants, shadowing seasoned chefs, and drawing inspiration from his mother’s home-cooked meals.
In 2008, Manoli met Katrina Parkin, who shared his love for cooking and food. Katrina brings her own rich cultural background into the mix, with her father’s Greek heritage and mother’s Welsh/Danish roots. Growing up with a love for cooking and baking, she became “obsessed with food” in high school, constantly experimenting in the kitchen. “I wasn’t intimidated by Manoli,” she says. “I already knew how to cook.” Although she lacked formal restaurant experience, Katrina’s enthusiasm complemented Manoli’s expertise. Together, they launched Manoli’s Catering, serving weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations. This venture not only satisfied their entrepreneurial spirit but also built the business credit needed to secure a loan for their future restaurant. Transitioning to catering and restaurant management with Manoli was a natural progression. Describing their partnership, the two agree that they work together seamlessly, each contributing unique strengths with a shared vision.
Manoli and Katrina have created a haven for Salt Lake City diners, blending their love for family, Greek heritage, and exquisite food through two distinct yet complementary spaces: Manoli’s and Parea. These two restaurants, a few steps from one another in the Central City neighborhood, offer unique experiences united by the same passion for Greek hospitality and quality.
In September 2015, the couple opened Manoli’s, which showcases the duo’s dedication to authentic and innovative Greek flavors. The restaurant offers a modern interpretation of Greek cuisine, emphasizing fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Its menu features stunning main courses like branzino flown in directly from Greece and perfectly seasoned lamb riblets. Diners are encouraged to order several of the small plates, designed for sharing, fostering a communal dining experience. The wine list is curated with equal care, offering some twenty Greek wines, many of which are organic or natural from small, family-owned Greek vineyards.
Manoli is still smiling when remembering those first few months. "You never know the true extent of what can happen when you open your own restaurant, but, honestly, it was one of those things where it was surreal. We already had a big following, especially from the tight-knit Greek community that embraced us." And the love has never stopped. Manoli and Katrina feel incredibly fortunate and credit a lot of their success to the support of their surrounding community.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced Manoli’s to close for about five months. During this challenging period, Katrina proposed introducing take-and-bake and grab-and-go items. This pivot resonated with customers seeking quality meals at home, leading to the successful launch of weekly meal offerings and gyro pop-ups. These initiatives not only sustained the business but also inspired their next venture.
The success of their pandemic adaptations led to the opening of Paréa in October 2024, located just west of Manoli’s. Housed in a refurbished 1924 building, Paréa offers a casual, cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a Greek grandmother’s home, complete with mid-century modern décor, including a vintage stereo serving as the front desk. The name “Paréa,” meaning a group of friends gathering to share life, reflects the restaurant’s ethos. The warm color palette, centered around a fireplace and accentuated by a unique wallpaper - a fabric-textured design inspired by an eighteenth-century tapestry - immediately envelops guests in comfort. Warm shades of brown, green, and yellow evoke a friendly, laid-back ambiance.
Paréa’s menu centers on authentic gyros made from scratch. Each morning, the team prepares fresh pitas and hand-stacks brined pork, emulating traditional Greek methods. Accompanying these are homemade Greek tzatziki, potatoes, and salads. The market side offers take-and-bake items like spanakopita and pastitsio, providing convenient, high-quality meals for customers to enjoy at home. With Greek wines and beer on tap in the not-too-distant future, the emphasis is on community and friendship. “Come with your Parea and hang out,” the couple sings in unison.
Manoli and Katrina’s partnership is the cornerstone of their success. They collaborate on menu development, business planning, and daily operations, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Katrina’s artistic vision shapes the inviting atmospheres of both establishments, while Manoli’s culinary expertise ensures the authenticity and quality of the cuisine. Their commitment to hospitality and community is evident in every aspect of their businesses. Whether offering a fine dining experience at Manoli’s or a casual meal down the block at Paréa, the Katsanevases invite guests to feel like part of their family, sharing in the rich traditions of Greek culture. "Being Greek is being hospitable. All we do is hospitality. The most important thing to us is we want you to feel as welcome as possible whether it's in a fine dining atmosphere or it's in a fast casual atmosphere, we want you to come and feel like you're part of our family."
