By: Zach Lewis
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s is celebrating five years in business as a fast casual restaurant offering customizable grain bowls, salad bowls and wraps.
Owner Elias Zeina said that the restaurant on Commercial Drive opened five years ago and is proud to reach this milestone.
Zeina said his family also runs Zeina’s Cafe on Varick Street and that both restaurants have received strong support from the local community.
By: Zach Lewis
Zeina explained that his parents immigrated from Lebanon, arriving in the United States without money or English skills but with a strong work ethic and faith.
He said the community welcomed their family and continues to support both businesses.
Zeina described Lafa Mediterranean as a family-run business, with his parents helping to keep things running smoothly.
Lafa Mediterranean was created to meet a growing demand for healthy, quick Mediterranean meals.
Zeina said the restaurant offers scratch-made, flavorful meals in a fast-service format, allowing customers to pick and customize their bowls with a variety of proteins and fresh toppings.
By: Zach Lewis
Zeina said customers can choose from options like chicken shawarma, steak shawarma, lamb meatballs and falafel, and add fresh toppings such as feta, cucumbers, cabbage slaw and pickled onions.
He explained that more people are looking for healthy options and quick service, and that Lafa Mediterranean brings together the flavors of Zeina’s Cafe in a fast-casual setting.
By: Zach Lewis
He recommended that first-time visitors try a customizable bowl, filling it with rice or salad, a protein, and fresh toppings, then finishing with sauces or dips like hummus and baba ghanoush.
Zeina said all the food is made fresh in-house and is visible to customers as they order.
Zeina mentioned that while Lafa Mediterranean is now a more established business, “I feel like we’re just getting started.”
The five-year celebration took place on Monday, March 2 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a prize wheel, meal deals and free Turkish coffee.
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Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina’s is celebrating five years in business as a fast casual restaurant offering customizable grain bowls, salad bowls and wraps.
For more NEWSChannel 2 coverage of the Zeina Family, click on the linked story below.
It’s time to present the Women Wednesday honoree from NEWSChannel 2—a moment to highlight the strong and accomplished women in our community.
Dining and Cooking