Mediterranean Restaurant Yasemi Brings Greek Cuisine to Godfrey Hotel
A New Concept from the Owners of Roop and Bar Goa
The owners of Indian-inspired establishments Roop and Bar Goa are branching out with their latest Mediterranean restaurant, Yasemi. Located on the street level of The Godfrey Hotel, 127 W. Huron St., Yasemi is headed up by Chicago-based Greek chef George Zervakis.
Inspiration and Concept
Rina Mallick, who owns Yasemi alongside her husband Manish, wanted to diverge from South Asian flavors with this restaurant. They’ve traveled to Athens and Mykonos several times and fell in love with the cuisine. "We wanted to do something different that would attract a different audience," she said. "Mediterranean cuisine also being very healthy was something that we wanted to lean into. We found an amazing Greek chef, so the rest is history."
Menu and Ambiance
Leaning into Zervakis’ heritage, the restaurant starts its menu off with a Greek base. It then builds itself out with flavors and ingredients from across the Mediterranean, like a Middle Eastern-inspired whipped harissa feta ($14) and crispy potatoes with an Italian pecorino crema ($13). Some of the most popular menu items are the braised lamb shank ($30) and chicken kebabs ($20), Mallick said. Her personal favorite dish is the half deboned chicken ($24), which has a "phenomenal" rosemary marinade and crispy skin.
The restaurant also offers appetizers – like hummus ($13) and charred eggplant ($13) – and wines from across the region, including Italy, Greece, Lebanon, and Spain, Mallick said. Alcoholic and spirit-free cocktails are served up with various twists and kicks, like olive oil martinis ($18), jasmine-infused gin and tonics ($14), and Greek espresso martinis with ouzo, an anise-flavored spirit ($15).
Reviews and Plans
Yasemi diners have described the restaurant as "spa-like," Mallick said – with plenty of greenery, warm tones, natural materials, and rustic plating. "We just want to create this really comfortable, relaxing environment," Mallick said. "You can come in, share dinner. The whole concept is around sharing plates and just enjoying that vibe."
Yasemi opened its doors on December 12, anticipating slow service ahead of the holidays "so we could get everybody trained and have a nice, soft opening," Mallick said. The restaurant started off with dinner service and has since added a lunch menu, which will be offered next week for Chicago Restaurant Week. There’s also a special Restaurant Week Dinner menu.
There are plans to create a breakfast menu, offer room service to Godfrey Hotel guests, and open a sidewalk patio come summer. "People are really loving everything from the food service to the vibe. It’s been phenomenal," Mallick said. "There’s a lot more to come."
Background and Future Plans
Under the umbrella of Soirée Hospitality Group, the Mallicks also own Monarch and Lion, a British-style pub with Indian influences. That makes Yasemi the couple’s fourth Chicago establishment since Roop’s opening in May 2019. They also have a Bar Goa booth at Timeout Market in West Loop.
Before venturing into the culinary world, Mallick worked as a creative director in advertising, and her husband was a consultant. The two loved to travel and "were always foodies," Mallick said.
They were inspired to open Roop, one of Chicago’s first fine dining Indian restaurants, after noticing Indian cuisine was "progressing" around the world while mainly popular in America in casual establishments, she said. "The other three [Soirée Hospitality Group] concepts all have their roots in Indian cuisine, and this is our first one that is completely different," Mallick said. "As far as ambiance and service, I hope that it’s similar to the experience [guests] are getting at all our restaurants."
Conclusion
Yasemi is open 4-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 4-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Find more information, the full menu, and make reservations here.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the concept behind Yasemi?
Yasemi is a Mediterranean restaurant that offers a range of dishes inspired by Greek and other Mediterranean cuisines. - What kind of menu items can I expect?
Yasemi offers a variety of small plates, including appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees, as well as a selection of wines and cocktails. - Is Yasemi open for lunch?
Yasemi is currently open for dinner, but will be adding a lunch menu in the near future. - Do you offer room service?
Yes, Yasemi will be offering room service to Godfrey Hotel guests in the near future. - Are there any plans for a patio?
Yes, Yasemi will be opening a sidewalk patio in the summer.
