Page 164 - ATHENS RIVIERA 2024

As a distinguished
ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL destination among
gourmet getaway Mykonos’ culinary elite,
Efisia restaurant presents
a culinary journey steeped
in the timeless tradition of
Relais & Châteaux. Within an
ambiance of refined luxury,
guests are invited to savour
Ilias Maslaris’ meticulously
‘‘I CHOOSE LOCAL curated to tantalize the most
crafted gourmet offerings,
PRODUCERS, WHO discerning palates.
CULTIVATE THE

PRODUCTS PRODUCED

IN OUR COUNTRY
BY FOLLOWING

TRADITIONAL

PRODUCTION

METHODS.’’

Who has been the most important person in this
gastronomic journey from Northern Greece and
Thessaloniki to Mykonos?
There are so many people who have been important
in my gastronomic journey who I am so grateful
for. But if I had to single out one man on the island
of Mykonos, it would be Vangelis Daktylides, the
owner of the Myconian Ambassador Hotel and Deos
Mykonos, who placed so much faith and trust in me.
You recently received - once again - the 2024 Greek
Cuisine Restaurant Award from Athinorama
magazine. Do you follow the trends in modern
Greek cuisine? And if so, to what extent?
What interests me is following trends in modern Greek
cuisine but to the extent that nothing is altered or
lost in the dishes that I create. This is ultimately the
ideal balance for me.
What emotional experience are you seeking to
provide guests?
One that is based on love and warmth. On the one
hand, I want to awaken forgotten memories and on
the other, create new taste memories from scratch.
If the Athenian Riviera was a taste, what would
it be?
The taste that comes to my mind as I close my eyes
and think of the Athenian Riviera is a dessert from my
homeland, the famous Armenonvil, a specialty from
Thessaloniki which is a gorgeous semifreddo dessert
with caramelized almonds and crushed meringues.
What goals have you set for yourself? Is winning
a Michelin star one of them?
Of course it is. There isn’t a chef out there who doesn’t
want a Michelin star! I also like the idea of the dishes CHRISTOS DRAZOS
that I have created travelling further afield, around
the world. 

165