Falls Church News-Press Fall Food 2018

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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SEPTEMBER 13 – 19, 2018 | PAGE 13

Fava Pot’s Unlikely Success Jives With Owner’s Belief in Herself

BY MATT DELANEY

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS

Everybody loves the story of a scrappy individual who achieves greatness and wealth thanks to their guile, diligence and courage in the face of immense risk. But what about the person who’s professionally successful and financially secure, only to bet the farm on a new venture they have no experience in outside of ties to their heritage? That’s a new twist on the rags-to-riches narrative — one that’s been realized by Fava Pot’s owner Dina Daniel and her pursuit of fulfillment rather than fortune.

In the not-so-distant past, Daniel was living comfortably.

Vegan No More

She had emigrated to the U.S. from her native Egypt in 2004 and by 2007 was working as the director of donor relations for the nonprofit Coptic Orphans.

The job paid handsomely, but the amount of zeros in her salary couldn’t put her mind at ease when she thought about doing more for the children her organization supported (Daniel is a Coptic Christian herself). So, in 2012 Daniel left her desk job and went on a mission trip to Kenya.

She returned from the trip with the idea for Fava Pot in tow, hoping to fill a gap in the area’s bustling Mediterranean food market and give her homeland some overdue recognition.

“There is no Egyptian food

in the area whatsoever. I was really surprised because our cuisine is good — how come there is all kinds of Middle Eastern food except Egyptian?” Daniel said. “At the same time, I’m very proud of my heritage and I wanted to show it off in a nice way.

My philosophy is not to come and eat and go; my philosophy is you are taking a trip to Egypt.”

Egypt’s influence, and Daniel’s pride in it, is inescapable from the first step into her establishment.

A mural behind the service counter is dedicated to European professional soccer player and Egyptian national Mohamed “Mo” Saleh. Decorative wallpaper lines two adjoining walls

The popular vegan des�na�on Sunflower Vegeteraian Restaurant is no more and long�me customers aren’t happy.

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FAVA POT employees do some of their prep work for the day in front of the Mo Saleh mural. (P����: N���-P����) where prominent Egyptians are noted for their accomplishments to both their country and the world. But the true goldmine of Egyptian knowledge may be found in the restroom. There, short blurbs and illustrations spotlight some of the inventions and innovations Egyptians helped pioneer, from tumbler locks and irrigation to fractions and scis-

sors.

That’s not to say Fava Pot’s interior is cut from Cairo and pasted into Falls Church. A sleek modern aesthetic stands out, with furnished wood tables and chairs complimenting the soft incandescent lighting that hangs from natural rope. The restaurant appears

Continued on Page 18

Also Inside:

• Taste of Falls Church Lineup, Menu, Map & Vendor List • ‘Taste’ Judge Q&A’s

A Taste of The Kensington We cordially invite you to experience The Kensington. Join us for an afternoon of food, friendship and fun. Meet the bighearted team who brings smiles to the faces of our residents every day. Tickle your taste buds with the culinary delights of our talented executive chef.

Explore our programs of care and enrichment that uplift morale, preserve wellness, deliver comfort and build trusted bonds.

Call us to schedule a personalized tour and stay for lunch.

We continually look for opportunities to serve seniors and their families. Talk to us. We are listening.

(703) 992-9868 700 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 www.TheKensingtonFallsChurch.com Kensington Park, another Kensington community located nearby in Kensington, MD

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15, 2018 Spanakopita and Chicken Souvlaki Skewers

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SEPTEMBER 13 – 19, 2017 | PAGE 15

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Bawadi Replaces Sunflower Amid Patron Turmoil

by Orrin Konheim

Falls Church News-Press

At the intersection of Seven Corners lies a restaurant where an intersection of a different sort has been occurring this summer between two passionate customer bases.

Khalid Mekki moved his restaurant, Bawadi Mediterranean Grill and Sweets Cafe, from its Bailey’s Crossroads location to Seven Corners on July 21. He took over the building which Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant formerly occupied since 2003 until co-owners Cindy and Patrick Leh sold off both their Falls Church and Vienna locations this past spring.

What Mekki didn’t realize when he took over the new menu was how passionate the existing customer base was. The Chineseinfluenced menu was one of the few dependable vegan eateries in the area and was often hailed as one of the best in the region.

“My intention was to completely close the Sunflower menu down,” said Mekki. “But when I met the customers, they were very passionate so we gave them a month [to test the Sunflower menu].”

The Lehs closed the restaurant without alerting patrons, so when Mekki used the Sunflower Facebook page to let the customers know of the changes in management, he faced a lot of

pushback.

“My family and I have been loyal patrons of this restaurant since it opened its doors. We have hosted multiple events here, and have also utilized Sunflower for the unique vegan options for catering external events as well,” wrote Sara Stewart in response to one of the Facebook announcements. She added “I too urge you to seriously reconsider retiring the Sunflower menu. In a changing world, where more and more people are adopting a vegetarian/vegan diet, eliminating a unique restaurant that many have loved for so long, only to replace it with a similar set of items that can be found nearby is not a good business practice.”

A PhD graduate who quit his engineering job to follow his passion of cooking, Mekki’s survival in the restaurant industry and eventual entrance into Seven Corners hasn’t been easy.

According to the Annandale Blog, Mekki sold his home and drained his savings to keep his business going when a partner backed out.

Additionally, his restaurant was immersed in an ugly legal battle this past spring when the landlord, Alta Enterprises 1 LLC, decided not to renew Bawadi’s lease with no reason given and less than two months notice.

Although the restaurant had only been open four years, the community support was strong

enough to garner 700 signatures on a petition to demand Alta Enterprises reconsider their decision.

Until he saw a sign saying that the Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant was going out of business and that the property was for sale, Mekki thought it was a near impossibility to open up so soon after vacating his old property.

Before he closed down the restaurant, Mekki is quoted in an article for Annandale Blog estimating it would take a year to get the necessary permits.

In the month that he’s been open, Mekki has enjoyed the patronage of many of his old diners who have slowly rediscovered the new location.

“It looks great,” said Bawadi customer Kip Germain on the new location. “It’s always been good people and good food. I’m happy to see him open here.”

Still, placating the pre-existing vegan customer base hasn’t been easy. In a Facebook post on Aug. 18, Mekki announced that he would give customers of Sunflower a 15 percent discount through December with a receipt of purchase. The post also listed the many vegetarian options.

Many responded that food cooked in a kitchen alongside meat wouldn’t be acceptable as vegetarian fare. Mary Tuomey (who goes by Mary Ilana on Facebook) wrote “What would

possess anyone who’s a vegan or vegetarian to eat at a restaurant that now has a commingled kitchen with meat products?!”Another, Juliana Christine, wrote, “Also, you cannot call yourself a vegetarian restaurant. I won’t be going there but I won’t wish anyone failure, just disappointing to see the menu and spirit of the place gone.”

In contrast, Facebook user Mila Djordjevic wrote, “I went to your restaurant last night with my dad to find more vegan options.

The hummus, falafel, salad, grape leaves and baba ganoush was absolutely delicious. I hope you don’t think all vegans are angry and cruel people as we can see in the comments.”

Although Mekki believes that Cindy and Patrick Leh likely retired from the business, he also believes that they weren’t making money from the place.

“The vegan community was not happy to lose this place as a vegetarian-only restaurant, but the business was not good enough, that’s why the owner sold it,” he said.

“It’s not profitable to serve vegan/vegetarian menus with a built in client base of over 20 years? That’s absurd,” said Mary Tuomey in a later interview in response to Mekki’s claim.

Tuomey didn’t personally know the owners but believes the restaurant was one of a kind in that

it became a haven for people wanting to eat compassionately.

Vegan blogger Angela Proudfoot of the website, The Voracious Vegan, reviewed Sunflower Vegetarian.

In response to its closing, she wrote, “Any time you lose a longtime vegan restaurant in a neighborhood and replace it with a restaurant that serves meat after what seems some miscommunication about the new ownership, there’s going to be backlash. The regular patrons are disappointed and seem to have been misled.”

When Mekki almost lost his restaurant this past April, he noted that 10 jobs would be lost if he was evicted.

When he came to Sunflower, he allowed the three chefs and manager to stay on and work for him.

Two of the chefs have taken his job offer. Additionally, Mekki argues that he has gone to great lengths to be ethical with his food.

All of his meats are organic and halal.

“Halal means the animal is slaughtered in a humane way,” said Mekki. “It’s absolutely done humanely.”

In the interim, Mekki is confidently moving forward with his new menu that was fully introduced on Sept. 1.

Bawadi Mediterranean Grill and Sweets Cafe is located at 6301 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church.

A FEW HOLDOVERS in various forms still remain at the former Sunflower Vegetarian restaurant, which is now Bawadi Mediterranean Grill and Sweets Cafe.

Owner Khalid Mekki retained two of the chefs who used to work for Sunflower owners Cindy and Patrick Leh, and physical markers of Sunflower’s previous presence are seen by the decor in the dining area (left) and the now-blank sign that used to show Sunflower’s insignia to passersby in the Seven Corners area. (Photos: News-Press)

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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

SEPTEMBER 13 – 19, 2018 | PAGE 17

Eat Healthy For a Good Cause Egyptian Restaurant and Cafe Join Us This Week At The Taste of Falls Church Saturday, September 15, 2018 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

www.favapot.com

Community Center Parking Lot (223 Little Falls St.) & Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave.)

(703) 204-0609 7393 D Lee highway Suite D. Falls Church VA 22042

facebook.com/FavaPot

•

instagram.com/favapot

•

twitter.com/FavaPot

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PAGE 18 | SEPTEMBER 13 – 19, 2018

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

From Food Truck to Storefront, Daniel’s Vision Came to Life Continued from Page 13

to be straight out of a catalogue before Daniel’s individual touches were added, with the finished product contributing to her goal of creating a welcoming aura.

“Ever since Jesus went to Egypt as a refugee, we are known to have an open heart,” Daniel continued. “Coming to America, I realized people will go, they will eat and then they will leave.

There’s no meeting or interacting with other people. I wanted to show our hospitality. Whenever people come I want them to feel that it’s not just to eat — that there’s something different about this place.”

Fava Pot’s current day form is all the more amazing considering its humble beginnings as a food truck just five years earlier.

Back then, Daniel wagered nearly $120,000 on herself – someone who was an international foodie and a hit manning the grill at backyard barbecues, but never worked in a kitchen professionally – that her idea could be turned into a profitable enterprise. She was calculated in how she tackled the challenge, spending a large chunk of her invest-

ment on branding and developing a website to broaden Fava Pot’s reach. But she also had to acclimate to the 17-hour days on the clock and working with her hands for the first time in her life at 45 years of age.

As time wore on, Daniel adjusted.

She hired help with her longest-tenured employee, Elmer Ramos, joining the fray. And she started to see the good vibes she seared into her dishes be returned to her as her business continued its positive ascent. It got to the point that Daniel was able to contemplate the move to a brickand-mortar restaurant. She had found an ideal landing spot and even paid a security deposit on the property, however, Fairfax County determined the site’s lot was under-parked. Daniel lost her business permit and her security deposit to the landlord, who she later sued.

“What I lost to this guy was everything in my life. I was just about to quit and go back to working my corporate job,” Daniel added, who experienced this fallout in January of 2017. Fava Pot would open up its doors in September of that same year after

she reached out to another landlord on a whim, who believed in her vision and even wired Daniel $50,000 to complete the current restaurant’s build out.

Now, Daniel is bringing the full Egyptian experience to Falls Church, which includes the menu. She’s upgraded from the portable koshary bowls and kofta platters of the food truck to the squab (similar to quail, but as the menu says is “larger and tastier”) stuffed with cracked wheat and Molokheya. She even makes her own ghee, a clarified butter popular in the Middle East. And yes, she also makes her unique falafels from fava beans that are combined with onions, garlic and parsley; a stark difference from the chickpea-based falafels many casual eaters may encounter. Locals will get a chance to try out Daniel’s chicken, kofta, koshary and falafel, along with Egyptian-style rice, at Saturday’s Taste of Falls Church event as a part of the Fall Festival.

Daniel also remains committed to the cause she originally split from in 2012 in the Coptic Orphans. She’s even teamed up with the organization to sponsor her own project – Coptic

Beautiful space available for private events!

RESERVE TODAY

THE COVERING ON THE WALLS in Fava Pot is not reserved just for the famous Egyptian soccer player; it’s also for renowned surgeons, scientists and singers. (P����: N���-P����) Girls Rising – which offers financial assistance to gifted female high school graduates who show promise, but lack the means to acquire a college education. At this time, the project delivers yearly scholarships to five students, with plans to grow as Fava Pot grows in popularity as well.

The commitment to Fava Pot has enriched Daniel in more ways

than one — though to her, there was never an alternative to the satisfaction she has now.

“If you do something, it is not to fail; it is to succeed and be blessed,” Daniel said. “My faith believes that if you’re doing things right, and trusting in God and staying away from cheating and gray areas, you will do very well. It’s the life pattern.”

Announcing the Grand Opening of Famille

Saturday, Sept 22 • 11am-2pm 700A West Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046

Entertainment by the Leesburg Pike Band • Menu Tastings • Giveaways Famille is a warm, welcoming gathering place where friends, kin and community can come together for breakfast, lunch, enrichment or privately hosted celebrations.

DINE IN for breakfast or lunch with full coffee service and a wide selection of teas in vibrant, trendy surroundings. GATHER after hours with people you know and people you’ll meet, thanks to a rotating calendar of programs and events. RENT SPACE to host your private party, reception or banquet from 4pm until midnight or all day on Mondays.

Call (703) 570-8669 for details — www.FamilleCafe.com —

EAT, DRINK, GATHER

FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

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SEPTEMBER 13 – 19, 2018 | PAGE 19

Judges Talk Celebrity Chefs, Opinions on Leftovers & More

This year’s Taste of Falls Church judges shared their thoughts on everything from new restaurants to adult beverages with the News-Press

Nader Baroukh, Former City of Falls Church Mayor 1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

I may try to go on a long bike ride to work up a healthy appetite. I will also bring my wife and daughter with me to help with the tasting.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

I love them all.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Ming Tsai. Great at incorporating western and eastern cooking.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

My wife has promised to make me Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon for years. I am still waiting.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Healthy – I had some fruit this week...Unhealthy – too much chocolate.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

I can’t cook. So, a green salad.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

50-50 8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

I am not a fan of leftovers. So, a cost-saving necessity.

Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent for Falls Church City Public Schools 1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

I try not to eat too much in the morning so I have plenty of room for the afternoon treats.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

I think the BBQ at Liberty is really delicious. I am particularly a fan of the brisket.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Bobby Flay.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

I would love to have a meal prepared by Julia Child.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Healthiest – raw spinach Uuhealthiest – French Fries 6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

Homemade jalapeno poppers with peppers from our garden (wrapped in bacon of course) 7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

Eat out about one time a week for dinner. Lunches are a little more frequent.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

I am all about cost-savings!

David Tarter, City of Falls Church Mayor

Jim Way, Executive Director at American Astronautical Society

1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

Fasting! Fasting! and more Fasting!

1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

Fasting and a loose belt.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

As mayor, all of the City’s restaurants are my favorites.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

I’m a fan of Liberty Barbecue and Lazy Mike’s.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Does Marie Callender or Chef Boyardee count?

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

Alton Brown. I love his scientific approach to cooking education. Learned a ton from him.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

Probably my aunt’s Hot Browns. – an open-faced sandwich of turkey and bacon, covered in a cheese sauce that’s baked.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Probably oatmeal and pizza. I try to stay mostly in neutral territory.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

When my kids were younger, we would always bring a pasta dish to make sure they ate.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

I mostly eat at home.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

I love leftovers.

9. What is your least favorite thing you make yourself eat on a regular basis?

Cereal bars.

9. What is your least favorite thing you make yourself eat on a regular basis?

Any green vegetable.

9. What is your least favorite thing you make yourself eat on a regular basis?

Vegetables hidden in smoothies.

10. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

Depends on the meal.

10. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

Wine.

10. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

None of the above.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

I love a good veal parmesan by any good Italian chef. But I’ll have to go with my wife’s shortbread cookies. Mmmm, butter.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

Healthiest: A salad with roasted turkey. Unhealthiest: McDonald’s bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

Jim’s Atomic Sawdust Chili.

(Homemade and contest winner!)

Sheila Way, Human Resources Professional 1. Do you have any special methods to prepare for being a Taste of Falls Church judge?

I’m going to scale back for a few days and wear something very comfortable.

2. What’s your favorite restaurant that has opened in Falls Church in the past five years?

I’ve been enjoying Northside Social and Liberty BBQ. We also love the new location for Lazy Mikes.

3. Who’s your favorite celebrity chef or cook?

I like Ina Garten’s approach to cooking and entertaining.

4. If you could have one dish prepared by one person, who and what would it be?

My grandmothers pasta primavera with veggies from her garden.

5. What’s the healthiest and unhealthiest thing you’ve eaten in the past week?

I love all vegetables so that’s the healthiest. The least healthy has got to be Ben&Jerrys.

6. If you had to prepare one dish for a potluck, what would it be?

I like to make Ina’s roasted vegetables and orzo.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

Most nights at home.

7. How often do you eat at home versus how often do you eat out?

We eat most nights at home.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

A little of both.

8. Are leftovers a cost-saving necessity or an under-appreciated delicacy?

A delicacy for sure.

9. What is your least favorite thing you make yourself eat on a regular basis?

Turkey sausage. Blech.

9. What is your least favorite thing you make yourself eat on a regular basis?

Its got to be pork or steak.

10. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

D. All of the above.

10. Wine, beer or cocktail with a meal?

Cocktail, then wine.