“Do your work with love.”
That’s the motto of Samir Henein, the owner and chef of a new Mediterranean restaurant, SMSMA Kitchen, in West York.
The restaurant, located at 10 S. Highland Ave., features a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, such as hummus, lamb chops, kufta kababs, and a gyro platter.
Samir Henein, the owner and chef of a new Mediterranean restaurant, SMSMA Kitchen, in West York.
Henein, who is from Egypt, said he has worked as a chef in five-star hotels and restaurants. His mother, who cared for her children and cooked for the family, inspired his career.
Henein has worked in several countries, including Sweden and Greece, and noted that he even cooked meals for a Swedish prime minister and his family. He shared a picture of himself with them. He speaks multiple languages, including Turkish.
“I love my work really so much, so much,” he said. “My work is first.”
Henein came to the United States a few years ago and worked at a restaurant in Pensacola, Florida. He met a woman who shared that York needs this type of eatery.
With the help of ROCK Commercial Real Estate Advisors Nate Resh and Patten Mills, Henein leased the 1,951-square-foot establishment, formerly The Other Place, across the street from the West York Inn, according to a news release.
The landlord and the tenant transformed the former tavern into “the bright and quaint sit-down bistro it is now,” Resh is quoted in the news release.
Kabob and lamb chops on the grill at SMSMA Kitchen menu in West York.
On a recent morning, Henein explained that he makes his cuisine from scratch and uses fresh ingredients. He spends three days making the smooth, silky hummus. He grills lamb chops, steak and chicken, marinating the meat in a blend of spices.
He also makes Kufta Kabobs — a mixture of ground meat, onions and spices, marinated to perfection, according to the menu.
SMSMA Kitchen offers some halal foods.
Sauces from the left, Garlic sauce, Baba ghanoush, and Tzatziki sauce at SMSMA Kitchen, in West York.
The tender, juicy meats were flavorful and paired well with a variety of sauces, such as tzatziki, garlic and baba ganoush. Many of the dishes are served with rice and side items.
In addition to the main dishes, the menu includes appetizers, wraps and salads.
Henein said he hopes to grow the business in the future.
The restaurant has received good reviews online. One patron described it as the best Mediterranean food he’s ever had. Another called it “a hidden gem.”
SMSMA Kitchen at 10 S. Highland Ave. in West York.
“I’ve ordered takeout a few times now and the food is so good!” another reviewer, Anna Lowry, wrote. “Don’t sleep on this place York. Keep them in business!”
SMSMA Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
Teresa Boeckel is a reporter for the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact her at tboeckel@ydr.com.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: New Mediterranean restaurant SMSMA Kitchen opens in York County
Dining and Cooking