The Goods from Loula’s Taverna / Nammos Estiatorio / AMA / Selene Aegean Bistro

Vancouver, BC | Yianni and Petro Kerasiotis, brothers and restaurateurs behind neighbourhood favourites such as the new Selene Aegean Bistro, Nammos Estiatorio, Loula’s Taverna, and Japanese-style speakeasy AMA, continue to raise the bar for their restaurant family. They have welcomed award-winning bartender Dylan Riches as their new beverage director, adding his expertise and creativity to the group.

“With our growing group of restaurants, we knew we wanted to add a seasoned, talented, and passionate individual to our team as beverage director, and Dylan checks all the boxes and then some,” explains Yianni. “His creativity and dedication to his craft aligns well with our vision for delivering exceptional dining experiences at each of our venues. Dylan is already working on further elevating our beverage programs, and we are excited to unveil his menus in the new year.”

Most recently, Riches served as bar manager at Michelin-starred Published on Main for nearly five years. During his tenure, he was named Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards’ 2023 Bartender of the Year, earned runner-up honours at his first World Class Canadian Championships this year, and was the 2022 Hennessy My Way global winner.

Riches first arrived in Vancouver from his hometown of Prince George with the dream of becoming an actor. When he soon needed to find a different way to pay the rent, he started bartending and discovered he loves the profession. Previous to Published on Main, he worked at a variety of downtown Vancouver establishments, including Yaletown’s renowned Brix & Mortar.

“I am thrilled to join Yianni and Petro at their group of amazing restaurants – each with their own different personalities, from the newly opened Selene to the hidden cocktail bar AMA above Nammos,” says Riches. “It’s been great working with the team on building the individual beverage program identities for each location. My goal is to help build creative, positive spaces that offer the same opportunities and learning I’ve been fortunate enough to have in my career.”

On why he loves working in the hospitality industry, Riches adds, “We take care of people. It’s one of the most rewarding things in life.”

About Yianni and Petro Kerasiotis | Brothers Yianni and Petro know a thing or two about great hospitality – they learned from the best, their parents, having grown up around the food and beverage industry. Together, they co-own a variety of unique neighbourhood spots across Vancouver, including the newly opened Selene Aegean Bistro in Hastings-Sunrise, traditional Greek destination Nammos Estiatorio in Fraserhood, contemporary Greek hotspot Loula’s Taverna on Commercial Drive, and Japanese-style speakeasy AMA. The duo are currently working on a new restaurant group brand, launching this spring.