Sofia Crokos opened Elaia Estiatorio in Bridgehampton in 2017 alongside her husband, Chris Boudouris, the owner of Bridgehampton Wine Cellar, as a way to pay homage to their Greek roots while celebrating the ingredients, community, and spirit of the Hamptons.
In addition to owning and operating the restaurant, Crokos owns her own event design and planning company, Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle.
We caught up with Crokos to learn more.
What inspired you to open your restaurant, Elaia Estiatorio?
We knew that the community was very much in need of an authentic Greek restaurant — and since the Hamptons really ‘lacks’ ethnic food, we knew we were going to knock it out of the park. Furthermore, being of Greek descent, my husband Chris and I can be involved in the flavors of our cuisine and the beauty of some spectacular Greek wines and spirits. Elaia has been well-received in our community and Long Island for our welcoming environment, consistent food presentation, and friendly staff in our year-round, welcoming restaurant. I also knew that getting involved in this new and next venture would be a natural transition due to my event planning and design background.
Tell us a little about your event design and planning company.
I started my company 24 years ago because I had a passion for creating celebrations and watching them come to life. Growing up in a Greek family, I was surrounded by parties from a young age, whether my parents attended or hosted events. After seven years of fashion, I knew I wanted to create a business out of this. Planning social events has been my repertoire, along with some corporate and charity too. Because of this, I have met fascinating people, my love for beauty has expanded, and our events have also brought me to some spectacular locations globally.
How have you had to pivot your businesses due to Covid-19?
The events industry took a massive hit during Covid-19. There were endless moving parts that were either static or rapidly changing due to the uncertainty across the world. I knew that having this luxury event planning company and all the hard work put into it, at first, I was not sure what “pivot” my team or I was ready to take.
The most important thing that I focused on was the gift of time, as it allowed me to re-group and check-in with both myself and my team. I did not believe in pivoting to a new and kitschy business for the sake of conforming with what others were doing. I remember being told to “try boxing up your event ideas” so people could DIY at home. This approach felt insincere and lacked soul since I pour my heart and soul into everything I do.
I knew that by the time this “next new idea” would come to life, we would be close to having events again. So instead, I pivoted into “ME” time and continued to surround myself with people aligned with me and reconnected with past clients. I also honed into some internal tasks for my Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle business that were left unattended because time was not in our favor before the madness. The best thing I did was hire a business strategist to support and assist in realigning my brand.
What are some suggestions you’d give for entertaining at home in the Hamptons this summer?
Now that we are back to having both parties and gatherings, I would say to bring the people you have not seen in a long time together, surround yourself with everything beautiful. I am a huge foodie and lover of flowers; you never want a guest or family member to leave your home and say that they didn’t feel full enough! Create great music playlists, offer your favorite wine or spirit, and hug and love the people in your life.
What’s next for you and your businesses?
There’s been a handful of inspiring new things on the horizon for both of my businesses, and for that, I prefer to keep them private until they have bloomed, and I am ready to share them with the world. Please see my Instagram, @sofiacrokosevents, for more information.
How do you like to spend your time on the East End when you’re not working?
I like to spend my time in nature. I love the ocean, enjoying beach walks, bike rides, wine tasting on the North Fork, gatherings with our friends and family, trying out new restaurants, meditation, renovating, and or “zooshing” up my home — which is my sanctuary.
