11/05/2022
Mikaela’s post provides a nice segue into some acknowledgements Zait & Za’atar needs to make. To our employees Adrian, Andy, Angie, Ben, Brooke, Caleb, Cassandra, Christian, Danny, Ellen, Georgia, Grant, Gus, Jamal, John, Kyla, Lilly, Linnea, Liza, Lucy, Maggie, Marco, Marley, Phoebe, Ruby, Sofia, Steve, Taariq, Veronica, and Zoe:
You wrapped your tongues, and hearts, around pronouncing ZAAAAH.tar, KUH.sha.ri and mu.SAAH.khan (although HAH.ssan will likely always be remembered as hass.AHn); you shared your design talents on restaurant announcements, drink labels, and chalkboards; you gifted us with books from Palestinian authors to share with guests; you helped keep Hassan energized through some nearly overwhelming weekends of busy summers and gave him perspective during cold, slower days of winter.
We relied on you to convey our enthusiasm for the flavors of foods from our Palestinian homeland, and to be the welcoming faces of our hospitality. We hope that you felt you were part of the family behind the neighborhood, family restaurant we always wanted Zait & Za’atar to be.
To Jason, from Fletcher's Ice Cream , thank you for sitting with us, listening to our story, and applying your ice cream genius to translate some favorite Middle Eastern ingredients into the Cardamom Coffee, Rose Pistachio, and Turkish Trail Mix ice creams that became such favorites with guests. And your deliciously different vegan options made sure everyone could enjoy a unique cold treat with their meals.
It is hard to thank Saed Wadi (World Street Kitchen and Milkjam Creamery) and Louie Kader (Afandina Cafe). Saed and Louie, in spite of your own busy lives and demanding schedules, you shared your time and years of experience in the restaurant business with us. You unselfishly and unstintingly counseled, advised, encouraged, and uplifted us with your insights, wisdom, humor, and prayers. You may be first-class restauranteurs, but you are beyond first-class brothers. You helped us for no reward but God’s pleasure, and we trust God will reward you with good. In Arabic: Jezekum Allah khair.
Alia, Senna, Mus’ab, Salah, Ilyas and Lamees, there are no words. Jezekum Allah khair.
To the wonderful guests whose paths crossed ours in person, on the phone, or over the internet, from the ElBakri family, as they say in the shawarma business, “That’s a wrap.”
Salaam aleikum: may peace be with you.
