About Anastasia
Hi, I’m Anastasia — the heart and hands behind Anastasia Midas and Stasi’s Supper Club (previously Land of Pleasant Eating — we’ve had a glow-up).
I’m a content creator, recipe developer, and storyteller raised between the sun-drenched villages of Greece and the gritty charm of Baltimore. I’ve also lived in Seattle, San Diego, Mexico, and the DMV — so trust me when I say my spice rack is worldly and my taste buds are well-traveled.
This blog is where my passions come to play — good food, thoughtful design, cozy gatherings, offbeat travel, and a little sass for good measure.
If you follow me on Instagram, you already know: I’m a dog mom, a triple crème brie loyalist, and a big believer in never yucking someone else’s yum. I’m also firm in my belief that style (in the kitchen and in life) is just an ever-evolving expression of personal taste — and mine happens to include lemon zest, linen napkins, and the occasional disco ball over dinner.
This space is for feel-good recipes, honest reviews, hosting inspo, and life lived deliciously. Welcome to the table. I love you already.
My Culinary Philosophy
Food is the most human thing we do. It’s how we celebrate, connect, and take care of ourselves and each other. For me, cooking is emotional, ancestral, and deeply personal — a love language passed down, reimagined, and plated with intention.
I was raised part-time by my Yiayia in a small mudbrick house tucked into a valley beneath the cliffs of Meteora, Greece. It was the kind of upbringing that makes you fall in love with food from the ground up — literally. We milked our goats, grew what we ate, and yes, I killed my first chicken at age eleven. (Most of y’all haven’t sacrificed for your dinner — and it shows.)
Growing up in Greece taught me to respect the land, honor the ingredients, and slow down enough to savor every bite. Our eggs were so orange they glowed, our feta came from the goat in the backyard, and every bite was a story. We cooked with care, ate with our hands, and never wasted — for example, making desserts out of lemon peels.
Living off the land wasn’t a trend — it was survival, culture, and connection. That experience shaped everything: how I see food, how I respect ingredients, and how I carry tradition into modern life.
Then I’d come back to the States and — cue record scratch — find chicken in wet plastic bags and freezer aisles that felt like sci-fi. I became pescatarian at 14 out of sheer disbelief, and spent the next decade getting scrappy and creative in the kitchen. I played with flavor, tested textures, and figured out what made my body feel its best. Spoiler: it wasn’t tofu pretending to be steak.
Back in the U.S., my parents started a restaurant group in Baltimore that grew to over seven restaurants — each one rooted in different cuisines and stories. I started young: coat check, then barista, server, bartender, and eventually operations and management. Before moving to the West Coast, my brother and I rebranded one of the family restaurants together — blending our love of heritage with a fresh new vision.
Food has always been the throughline in my life. It’s how my family built a livelihood. It’s how we connect across cultures and generations. And it’s a passion that quite literally runs in my blood.
Today, I still eat mostly plant-based, but I listen to my body and leave room for joy. I believe in balance, buying local when you can, and eating with pleasure instead of guilt.
And yes, I still love bacon. I’ll also never turn down pizza or good cheese — so if I do, please check my vitals.
My Yiayia taught me to live life in moderation — and that without indulging once in a while, you do your mind and body a disservice.
This isn’t a wellness blog with a side of shame. It’s a celebration — of ingredients, of intuition, and of the very real magic that happens when you feed yourself well.
What You’ll Find Here
This space isn’t just about food — it’s about flavor.
You’ll find recipes that are plant-forward but never boring, full of herbs, color, and that “wait, what’s in this?” kind of magic. I’m talking cozy soups, breezy summer pastas, blue zone-inspired bites, and brunch dishes that make you feel like the main character.
But this blog isn’t just about cooking — it’s about living.
Here’s what you’ll find sprinkled throughout:
Seasonal Recipes that taste as good as they look (no beige plates here)
Hosting Tips to help you throw a dinner party that feels like a hug and a vibe at the same time
Travel Guides & Food Finds from Greece, Mexico, and beyond — with no gatekeeping
Product Reviews & Pantry Picks for the curious home cook
Stories & Musings on food, identity, sustainability, and slowing the heck down
This isn’t Pinterest-perfect living — it’s warm, real, and full of flavor. Bring your appetite, your questions, and maybe your favorite cheese. You’re in good company.
Stasi’s Supper Club
Stasi’s Supper Club is where the magic happens offline.
Born from a love of long tables, candlelit convos, and asking strangers what they’re eating, this is my way of gathering community around the universal language of food.
It’s dinner parties with purpose. Real talk over roasted veggies. A little sparkle, a lot of homemade, and zero pressure to “host perfectly.”
Each supper club experience blends thoughtful menus, seasonal ingredients, curated vibes, and meaningful connection. Whether it's a backyard feast, cozy book club night, or city pop-up — the goal is always the same: come hungry, leave full (in more ways than one).
Want to be part of it?
Join the waitlist here or follow along on Instagram at @anastasiamidas. The next seat at the table might have your name on it.