I grew up in the melting pot of NYC. I am a first generation American, English my second language (my Dad’s tenth). The comforting aromas of ethnic cooking and stores were always available to me growing up. To eat REAL falafel, you went to a Lebanese market. To eat REAL marinara, you went to an Italian market. To eat REAL bratwurst, you went to a German market. To eat REAL chopped chicken liver, you went to the Jewish deli. etc If you want to understand this, pay a visit to Mediterranean Specialties Cafe and Goods.
The owners are what my mother would call excellent cooks with class. No one uses the word CLASS anymore. I know why – a few people are born with it and the rest of us have to want to cultivate it. My mother was raised Hungarian. Hungarians are known for there mathematicians, composers and, foremost, their hospitality. If a Hungarian invites you to a party, don’t walk, RUN.
I devour the homemade falafel at Mediterranean Specialties. Only I could make fresher hummus – delish. And the soup is always HOT and satisfying. The self seating area is bright and clean – a great place to meet a pal and trade stories.
Nahla Gholem is co-owner with her sister (I’ve heard) and are originally from Lebanon (many years past) and wears sharp glasses from LINKS on James Street. She was VERY friendly towards my mother when we visited. The inside scoop on that is: immigrants who speak English with an accent will show great respect toward others of the same. There is so little of it otherwise in America, from my own experience.
Mediterranean Specialties Cafe is @ 505 32nd st. Call 360-738-6895.
[…] Max was kind and asked if he could help me (I was staring at the long menu for a long time trying to make up my mind). I wanted to know how I could have 1 of everything, but just a small portion. What would I like? The turkey shawarma, the falafels, the hummus, the vegetable pancake, the pita bread…he smiled and said, ‘No problem’. While I waited, he served me a plate of 3 side dishes: spicy carrot salad, red cabbage and tabbouli. It’s so easy to tell if something came out of a jar or was made fresh, and the foods I ate here today were FRESH and flavorful. And there was more than enough to feed 2 hungry parents. Thumbs up to Wrap & Roll; the north side of Bellingham has Mediterranean just as the south side does with Mediterranean Specialties Cafe. […]
Pingback by Shawarma — A Bellingham Foodie Blog — April 17, 2009 @ 10:34 pm
Long Live Wrap & Roll, but unfortunately it has been sold and is no longer run by its original owners from Israel. I find the quality has suffered, and I grieve. Glad Mediterranean Deli is still here!
Comment by Stephanie — April 20, 2010 @ 4:00 pm