In 1912, grandfather George Kamburis sailed the Atlantic ocean from Patmos, Greece to come to America. As the story goes, he landed without much money and made his way down to Montgomery, Alabama. Knowing very little English, he started off pushing an ice cream cart through the streets of Montgomery. He saved enough to buy a fruit stand. Once that was established, he again saved enough to open a café and named it “The Coffee Pot.” Unfortunately, after a few years in operation, the Coffee Pot burned down, along with many other buildings in the area, so George had to start all over. He partnered with his brother Antonio, and this time around they decided on a larger restaurant. They renovated a big garage type building on Lee St. and named it “The Normandy Café”. They went on to prosper well in that location.

Once both men became much older, they landed in different hospitals at the same time, both unknowing of the other’s condition or whereabouts. One day in the hospital, Pappa George told his son-in-law that he had a bad dream about his brother dying. Unfortunately, George’s dream was true, Antonio died that day. The next day following, Pappa George died as well, testimony to how close the brothers were.

Now you sit in another version, two generations later designed by Michael Hsu along with Mark and Marty Kamburis. An eatery, recreating their Greek grandfather’s vision, for people to come together and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

So sit back, relax, turn off the cell phone and enjoy the cuisine…