Eating Out
Michelle Le
Oren’s Hummus Shop features free-range chicken skewers with sides of herbed quinoa and hummus. (continued from previous page)
Oren’s Hummus Shop, 261 University Ave., Palo Alto; Orenshummus.com; 650-752-6492 Hours: Daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Michelle Le
GIANT CHALKBOARD THAT LINES THE RES TAURANT S WESTERN WALL PROCLAIMS h&INALLY AN AUTHENTIC )SRAELI RESTAU RANT IN THE 3ILICON 6ALLEY v 4HE SHOP IMPORTS MANY OF ITS INGREDIENTS IN CLUDING TAHINI GARBANZO BEANS AND COFFEE FROM )SRAEL h7E REALLY WANTED TO KEEP IT AU THENTIC v .ANCY $OBRONSKY SAID h7E SHIP OUR INGREDIENTS FROM )SRAEL DI RECTLY JUST TO GET THAT AUTHENTICITY v !MONG THE MOST IMPORTANT IM
PORTS WAS THE HUMMUS MAKING TECHNIQUE .ANCY $OBRONSKY SAID SHE AND HER HUSBAND DID PLENTY OF HOMEWORK IN /REN S MOTHERLAND BE FORE THEY LAUNCHED THEIR VENTURE IN 3ILICON 6ALLEY h7E WENT TO EVERY SINGLE HUM MUS PLACE THAT THERE IS IN )SRAEL v SHE SAID h) ATE A LOT OF HUMMUS %ACH PLACE DOES IT ITS OWN WAY &OR EACH PERSON YOU ASK THEY HAVE THEIR OWN STYLES v 4HE IDEA INITIALLY WAS TO FOCUS MAINLY ON HUMMUS "UT BEFORE LONG THEY DECIDED TO BROADEN THE MENU TO APPEAL TO THE MAINSTREAM DINER 4HE RESTAURANT NOW OFFERS ALL THE STAPLES OF )SRAELI FOOD FALAFELS KEBABS BABA GANOUSH AND ITS CHICKEN SKEWERS WHICH COME WITH TWO SIDES ARE AMONG
Patrons eat during the lunch hour at Oren’s Hummus Shop on Oct. 2. ITS MOST POPULAR DISHES .ANCY $OBRONSKY SAID "UT IN THE END IT S THE HUMMUS THAT STEALS THE SHOW 4HE CREAMY SPREAD ARRIVES IN A BOWL ALONG WITH A STACK OF WARM PITA BREAD WHICH IS BAKED FRESH ON THE PREMISES 7HILE A PURIST CAN STICK TO JUST THE HUMMUS THOSE LOOKING FOR A MIX OF TEXTURES CAN CHOOSE A FANCIER PLATE LIKE THE h(UMMUS 4RIANGLE v WHERE THE HUMMUS SETS THE STAGE FOR
SLOW COOKED FAVA BEANS AND GAR BANZO BEANS 4HE TWO BEAN TYPES ALMOST PRESS AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HUMMUS PLATE SEPARATED BY ONLY A DOLLOP OF TAHINI 4HE HUMMUS RISES AROUND THE BEAN PLATTER LIKE PIZZA CRUST ENCIRCLED BY A THIN RIM OF OLIVE OIL 4HE TASTE MAY BE )SRAELI BUT THE AESTHETIC INSIDE /REN S (UMMUS 3HOP IS ALL 0ALO !LTO 4HE CHALK BOARD LISTS NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT HUMMUS GRAMS OF THE STUFF FOR INSTANCE CONTAINS CALORIES AND CATALOGS THE BENEFI CIAL CHEMICALS CONTAINED WITHIN IF YOU RE LOOKING TO LOAD UP ON TY ROSINE TRYPTOPHAN OR PHENYALANINE LOOK NO FARTHER !ND LEST YOU RE STILL UNSURE ABOUT WHAT REGION YOU RE IN A NOTICE ON THE BIG BOARD INCLUDES A WIRELESS PASSWORD AND THE MODEST ACKNOWLEDGMENT h7E ARE CURRENTLY IN "ETA v N
Experience the taste of Italia from the 7 hills of Rome
TO THE SEA BREEZES OF THE !MALl COAST AND WINDING BACK THROUGH THE ANCIENT TOWNS OF 4USCANY #UCINA DI 6ENTI HAS CAPTURED THE SOUL OF )TALIAN COOKING 7E TAKE PRIDE IN BRINGING YOU THE VERY BEST 4HE INGREDIENTS ARE SIMPLE )MPORTED )TALIAN WATER FOR the dough; fresh herbs to bring out the true taste of the regions and extra VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ENHANCE CLASSIC DISHES FROM THE WORLD S l NEST CUISINE
Featuring our Executive Chef
Antonio Zamora
/UR LOVE OF )TALIAN FOOD KNOWS NO BOUNDS
!NTONIO HAS SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN )TALIAN AND -EDITERRANEAN CUISINE "ELIEVING TO ONLY USE THE FRESHEST SEASONAL INGREDIENTS FOUND LOCALLY !NTONIO S YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CAN be tasted in his dishes.
From our Kitchen to yours. Bon Appetit!
Cucina Venti
AN AMERICAN TRATTORIA IN THE ITALIAN TRADITION™ 0EAR !VE -OUNTAIN 6IEW s s WWW CUCINAVENTI COM (OURS 3UNDAY THROUGH 4HURSDAY A M TO P M s &RIDAY THROUGH 3ATURDAY A M TO P M ÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V ÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊ"VÌ LiÀÊ£ ]ÊÓä£ÓÊU Page 31