From 2009 until 2022, Soul Gastrolounge operated on a prominent corner of Plaza Midwood, offering small plates, sushi and craft cocktails to a passionate fanbase. When it closed due to rising rent costs, the team promised a reopening, and on August 25, the new Soul opened its doors near NoDa. Longtime patrons and first-time guests alike have flocked to the new location, soaking in their favorite bites and sips while enjoying tunes from rotating DJs. The menu remains largely unchanged, but baklava ice cream, a dessert from Soul's former sister concept, Kiki, has become one of their two sweet offerings—and one of the restaurant's most popular dishes.
THE INSPIRATION
“Our baklava ice cream is an example of how we like to play with flavors," says Andy Kastanas, Soul Gastrolounge's managing partner. "We start with a classic Greek dessert that everyone knows and loves, then substitute the traditional phyllo with the more delicate, shredded wheat pastry, kataifi, for maximum crunch. It has the expected flavor profile of baklava but is remixed for a fresh, indulgent taste."
THE COMPONENTS
The aforementioned kataifi is "woven" into a beautiful nest, creating the base of this treat. It's filled with homemade cinnamon ice cream churned with chunks of baklava, then topped with chopped pistachios and honey pistachio syrup. The varying textures, from the cold, silky ice cream to the crunchiness of the pastry nest and nuts, create a well-balanced dessert with sweet and salty notes. You'll be fighting your tablemates for the last bite, so go on and order two for good measure.