THESSALONIKI | Grigoris Helmis and Andreas Diakodimitris opened ΨΙ by Mezen (Psi by Mezen) in 2024. A spinoff of their contemporary Volos and Thessaloniki tsipouradika, ΨΙ by Mezen reimagines the traditional chasapotaverna (a hybrid butcher and and taverna), with a focus on seafood rather than meat.
The best quality seafood is sourced daily from Nea Michaniona, Thessaloniki’s central fish market, and transformed into an assortment of products and dishes that visitors can purchase for home, or eat in. Fish is dry-aged and cut-to-order into fillets and steaks, and prepared into ready-meals, fish charcuterie, and pantry essentials. The entire drinks menu is also available to take home, with a focus on local natural and low-intervention wines, and spirits from small Greek producers.
When I first heard of ΨΙ by Mezen, I couldn’t help but think of Josh Niland’s Sydney restaurant, St Peter. What St Peter’s bar menu is to casual Australian pub fare, ΨΙ by Mezen’s menu is to casual Greek taverna food. Collars, tails, and offcuts are transformed into edible delights, while flavours and textures are altered by dry aging. The dry aging chambers, prep space, and kitchen are all in view of the dining space, enhancing the immersion of the experience.
Small bites see flying squid, shi drum, and tuna transformed into souvlaki; while swordfish is compressed and crumbed to become schnitzel. Tuna takes the place of pork to make pastirma and louza, and swordfish becomes pastrami. It’s inventive, exciting and delicious. For salads, try the vibrant medley of carob rusks, cherry tomatoes, smoked grey mullet, and pastirma fish roe mousse. On the side, a serve of the moreish cracked fried potatoes with sfela cheese is a must.
The larger ‘fish cuts’ section of the menu features things like zesty fresh shrimp tartare with peach and chilli, dry aged tuna belly on the grill with tabbouleh, and butterflied saddled seabream on the grill. Again, it’s all outstanding. Paired with a glass of bright, citrusy, acidic Assyrtiko (I highly recommend the Hatziemmanouil Assyrtiko), you can’t go wrong.
If you’re looking for some of the best seafood in Greece, prepared and served in innovative ways that you won’t find elsewhere, ΨΙ by Mezen needs to be on your list.
ΨΙ by Mezen
Skra 8
Thessaloniki 546 22
Greece
Telephone: 2310 268 763
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 12:00pm to 5:30pm