Theo Poulos
Google
There’s a new Greek bakery and patisserie in town. It is called Zymi and headed up by pastry chef Yannis Tassopoulos. Chef Yanni is a Culinary Ambassador from Greece to the United States and diplomacy has never been so wonderfully delicious!
Zymi has all the Greek pastry favorites we have come to know: Baklava, Galaktoboureko, and Bougatsa, to name a few. Your favorite Greek cookies are also on the menu: Melomakarono, Kourambiethes, ect.
Let me focus on Koulouria, the famous Greek breakfast treats. A Koulouri coupled with a cup of coffee are the one two punch that transforms one’s morning! These are not the standard Koulouria we are used to in the Greek American diaspora. Instead, Zymi’s Koulouria are soft, fresh loops of thin bread covered with sesame seeds; the type you can see everywhere on a morning Athens commute. These are the real deal!
Yes, you can get a great cup of coffee at Zymi too. There is perhaps nothing better than drinking a good cup of Joe, snacking on a dough ring, and perusing the glass cases deciding how you are going to spend the rest of your do re mi.
And yet, Zymi is more than just a Greek pastry shop. This brilliant and talented chef has taken Greek pastry one step further with a creative fusion of Greek sweets with American standards. Thus, the Baklava Brownie has been born or the Kataifi Cheesecake! These are just the tip of the iceberg!
Zymi will fill special orders and here is where Chef Yiannis shows one of his greatest talents: designing unique cakes. He will work with you to make every special occasion even better with just the right gâteau! Also, when I visited, there were some cakes in the pastry case for those who need one in a pinch. So if you need a cake at anytime there are always some available.
I save the best for last! Zymi is now making what may be the greatest Greek dessert: loukoumades! These Summer delights Chicagoans have grown to love by attending the annual Greek Orthodox Parish Picnics are made every Saturday. For those not familiar with this dessert, it can basically be described as fried dough, cascading with molten honey, and sprinkled with chopped nuts. Once you have tried these you will never be able to stop thinking of them!
I can keep going on about how great of a pastry shop and bakery this is, but please go and see for yourself!
Zymi is one of those places that makes Chicago an even greater town!
P.S. I forgot to mention the fresh breads and delicious croissants.
