Charles Bililies, 36, owner of Souvla restaurant in Hayes Valley, knows the hip 'hood like the back of his hand. We caught up with the budding restaurant emperor—two new Souvla restaurants recently opened in the Mission and on Divis—to find out why he chose Hayes Valley as home base for both the restaurant and his personal life.
How did you get into the restaurant business?
I’m probably one of the rare few who actually went to school for this! My grandfather owned and operated restaurants on the East Coast years ago. A lot of the copper and brass pots in Souvla came from him.
Why did you decide to open Souvla in Hayes Valley?
I decided to live in Hayes, too! It’s such a great neighborhood. It has a bit of a small-town feel in the middle of the city. We’re surrounded by awesome places to shop, drink and eat, and there are always people out in Patricia’s Green and PROXY, the outdoor spaces in the middle of the neighborhood.
How has the ’hood changed since Souvla first opened?
It’s become busier, for sure. We’re also seeing more savvy tourists, both American and from overseas.
Top three favorite spots in Hayes?
My wife and I are creatures of habit, so we have our go-tos, and they usually have to do with drinking and eating. In no particular order: Zuni Café for oysters, Caesar salad and roast chicken; Birba for a glass of wine and a snack; and Domo, our friendly neighborhood sushi spot.