This early preview offers a glimpse of the Ukrainian and European dishes being developed for opening. Every dish will be prepared from scratch in our kitchen using fresh, carefully selected, high-quality ingredients.
Our kitchen promise
From scratch. Every dish. No exceptions.
From broths, sauces, and fillings to dumplings, entrées, and desserts, every element begins in our kitchen. We choose excellent fresh ingredients because memorable food starts long before it reaches the plate.
01 Fresh, carefully selected ingredients
02 House-made components and sauces
03 Chef-led recipes, prepared with intention
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Chef Sergey's Chicken Kyiv
Golden, crisp chicken filled with herb-garlic butter—a Ukrainian classic shaped by Chef Sergey's signature touch.
02
Handmade Varenyky
Tender dumplings folded by hand, with fillings inspired by home: potato and bacon, sour cherry, or braised cabbage.
03
Thin-Sliced Beef with Sour Cherry
Tender slices of perfectly cooked beef served with a savory sour-cherry sauce—refined, vibrant, and unmistakably Odesa.
More to discover
A glimpse beyond the signatures.
Swipe through a few more dishes being developed for opening—from Ukrainian comfort food to fresh seafood and salads.
Discover the kitchen promise, opening menu preview, and Odesa bar.
The Odesa bar
An Odesa tradition, poured in Midland.
Odesa will feature a full-service bar with thoughtfully selected wines and spirits, signature cocktails inspired by Chef Sergey's years in Odesa, and a complete collection of zero-proof drinks.
One of its signatures will be Ukrainian nastoiky—small-batch, house-infused spirits in a rotating collection of flavors. Choose a favorite pour or order a tasting flight to experience several side by side: a distinctive taste of Ukrainian hospitality created for Odesa by Chef Sergey.
100
Seats
Room for date nights, family dinners, and celebrations in Midland.
11 AM–9 PM
Lunch & dinner
Our planned service hours when Odesa first opens.
Breakfast
Coming next
Planned a few months after opening as Odesa grows into an all-day restaurant.
02
Our story
From Odesa, with a place at the table for Midland.
Odesa is a family-owned Ukrainian-European restaurant created by husband-and-wife team Sergey and Christina Pokanevych.
Six generations of their family were born and lived in Odesa. Today, Sergey and Christina are carrying that inheritance into the Michigan community that gave their family a second home—through food, hospitality, and a restaurant they are building together.
Signing the purchase documents for Odesa's building — Christina Pokanevych, realtor Jamie Broderick, and Sergey Pokanevych · Midland, Michigan · June 2026
Built together
Two strengths. One shared vision.
Sergey and Christina are the owners of Odesa by Chef Sergey. Sergey leads the culinary vision and remains the public face of the restaurant, while Christina leads its creative direction, marketing, and business operations. Together, they are creating a restaurant shaped by their life in Odesa and their new home in Midland.
Founder and owner of both Chef Sergey's Bakery in Midland and Odesa by Chef Sergey.
For more than 20 years, Chef Sergey has worked professionally in the culinary world. He led a major restaurant group as brand chef and co-owned several distinctive restaurant concepts in Odesa, Ukraine.
His approachable cooking and teaching made him one of Ukraine's most recognized culinary personalities. He built a community of more than one million followers, founded an online cooking school that taught students around the world, and created video recipes for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok that have been watched and loved by millions. His original recipes were also published in his own cookbook.
At Odesa, he brings that experience together with what Midland already knows from Chef Sergey's Bakery: food made from scratch, thoughtful ingredients, and generous hospitality.
Published cookbookThe Joy of Cooking
Chef Sergey's favorite recipes, made approachable for home cooks.
Midland's European bakery and coffee shop—known for artisan bread, croissants, pastries, sandwiches, and a commitment to making food from scratch with carefully chosen ingredients.
Odesa is a Ukrainian-European restaurant led by Chef Sergey, with a strong focus on house-made recipes and warm, polished hospitality.
When will Odesa open?
We are planning to open in Fall 2026. Join the opening list for the first official date and reservation announcement.
Will Odesa have a full bar?
Yes. The bar will offer alcoholic and zero-proof drinks, Odesa-inspired signature cocktails, and house-infused Ukrainian nastoiky available by the pour or as a tasting flight.
What hours are planned?
Odesa plans to open for lunch and dinner from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Final days and hours will be confirmed before opening.
Will Odesa serve breakfast?
Yes. Breakfast is planned to begin a few months after opening, once the lunch and dinner service is fully established.
How large will the restaurant be?
Odesa will offer 100 seats, with room for date nights, family meals, celebrations, and group dining.
Where is the restaurant located?
Odesa is located at 1716 W Wackerly St in Midland, Michigan, near the Wackerly Street and Eastman Road area.
Will reservations be available?
Yes. Reservation details will be announced closer to opening, with early news shared through our opening list and social channels.
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