In Mitsos

At Kapani market - Vlali market - end of Kydoniatou Street, the street that is perpendicular to Ermou Street, in the center of Thessaloniki, is located at traditional cafe "in Mitsos". A small tosodouli shop that steals your heart. At first glance, I felt like I had known him for years. Coffee tables made of metal, snacks on plates, bottles with tsipoura and ouza, a fridge with PDO cheeses as a showcase, the kitchenette with pans and preparations, happy customers, personal svelte and noble.

I do not manage to sit down and a lad comes to me with them "Cafes of Greece" and before we order it asks me for a dedication. My book (I had published it in 2013) was there from the first day of operation of the cafe and was waiting for me, and, as I learned afterwards, it was the source of inspiration for Mitsos, the owner of the shop. And what the space reminded me of were the familiar images from all the cafes I had recorded during my years of research to write the book.

Mitsos he was missing, he was in the morning shift, and from our company I was quickly informed, his legend. How a young man from detoxification, managed to fix it in four years perhaps the best tavern, but definitely the most affectionate in town and it did not come as a surprise to anyone that in 2018 it came out in the top ten, in the category "Hidden diamonds", in the competition for the best 100 restaurants in Greece.

The appetizers of Mitsos In terms of image, setting and taste, they are more reminiscent of the gourmet restaurants like Varoulko or Me Zen and less humble cafe appetizers.

Monastic sausage made of cuttlefish and squid - what the monks eat during the days of fasting -, livers with sweet potatoes, sea pasturma, meatballs with mustard leaves, grilled shrimp with sun-dried tomatoes, sweet papas, sweet papav t seafood) and anchovy marinade, octopus couscous, shrimp and mussels with noodles, trachana with shrimp and Tzoumagias sausages are a few of his appetizers, and no one exceeds 7,5 Euros!

The next day I was late to leave the city, just to go meet him Mitso Pantzartzidis originating from Pontus. We hugged and kissed as if we had known each other for years.

«The idea to build a cafe of this kind came to me when I came across your book. It lit up in my mind and I said to make one like the ones you recorded».

I swelled with joy and emotion and asked him to find out about his life.

«Difficult youth years, from 15 to 21 lost in drugs, I went to Ithaca for detoxification. I remember the first time I got a thumbs up in my life, to applause, was when I cooked lentils for our team as an assistant. That was it, cooking came into my life. I worked for many years serving in many good shops, but my heart and caring was in the kitchens, where I always had secret eyes. Ο chef Giannis Loukakis from Mourga It was crucial in my life because he told me, "you have the thing", and your book fell into my hands and I started looking for a store. As soon as I saw this old cafe with rent, I took the ad from the wall, hid it in my coat and urned it to the owner. 14-2-2014 I cut my first order - I have framed it - and since then we have come this far, overcoming all difficulties».

Mitsos is a big heart, a warm embrace to those who have crossed the paths of pain, with a sweet smile on his face, full of love, compassion and optimism.

Mitsara thank you for the life lesson. Be well.