2 minute read
Sip and Tell
By Sue Lukenbill, Encore Resident
Welcome to the month of December. As we close the door on 2022, I can honestly assay that I have enjoyed all the restaurants that I have reviewed and have really enjoyed having Jennifer Sheets, our Director of Communications, join me monthly for the reviews. I love sharing new places to eat (or drink) with the residents of Grayhawk and truly enjoy hearing about your experiences at local restaurants as well.
It’s hard not to brag about the life here in Grayhawk. On December 18, my husband and I will celebrate 26 years living in Grayhawk. The date is almost as important to us as the birthdays and anniversaries we celebrate! I still love living here with no regrets. I also love reminiscing this time of year about the many things that have made the year so special, from my friends and family to the many Grayhawk events I have been a part of. We are so very lucky to call Grayhawk home.
This is the time of year than many of us are eating out more than normal, whether it’s a quick bit while shopping for the holidays, a nice dinner hosting out of town visitors or just enjoying the company of our local friends and family. Jennifer Sheets recently suggested Cava as a healthy fast-casual option and I jumped on the opportunity to check it out. I have to balance out the holiday sweets somehow!
Cava started amongst three friends: Ted, Ike, and Dimitri. One of them is the chef, and all of them grew up with loud Greek families who spent their time gathering around food. They took notes from their nonnas and uncles in the kitchen at kitchen counters and over bottles of wine. They all know that food is what connects us to people, and closes the gaps between us. But they also knew that wasn’t enough. The food had to be good as well.
Cava is a Mediterranean restaurant featuring customizable greens and grains bowls, pitas and salad. Cava has a great menu, but I didn’t need to look at it and try and decide what I would order because Crispy Falafel was on the menu, and when falafels are on the menu, I always order them. They are my favorite! At Cava the plant-based pita favorite is made on a large, warm pita that includes falafel, hummus, roasted eggplant, pickles, cabbage slaw, tomato, onion, garlic dressing and skhug (a spicy cilantro sauce and contains sesame).
Jenn ordered the Greek Salad. It is a base of romaine and arugula, hummus and classic Greek ingredients: tzatziki, grilled chicken, feta, cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives, and Greek vinaigrette. We both devoured our lunches. We did not even have leftovers to take home!
I would recommend this restaurant in a heartbeat. You order at the counter, and they bring your order to you at the table. It seems to be super busy at lunch but the line goes superfast.
Until next month, stay safe, and healthy. Happy Hannukah and Merry Christmas!
