Photograph by Nina Morasky
Cascading ever so gently through the air, a falafel, a small garbanzo bean filled food, suspended as a man wearing glasses opens his pocket. One can only imagine what happens next at Flying Falafel on Shattuck. This is just one of the many new Mediterranean restaurants that has sprung up around Berkeley in the past year. Flying Falafel does the basics: pita, hummus, and the likes, but they do them really well.
“I think [Flying Falafel is successful] because there are a lot of people from the Middle East in Berkeley, but also because of how diverse Berkeley is, essentially trying to provide options for people of many different cultures,” said Hoda Haraz, an employee at the Flying Falafel.
She hopes people learn about the different types of Mediterranean cuisines as they do dishes in other Mediterranean styles such as Egyptian and Syrian.
Her favorite dish there would have to be their signature dish “The Pocket.” This meal includes a pita bread, stuffed full of Mediterranean toppings, like tahini and hummus.
Mediterranean cuisines are also good for you.
“I really like their food and am able to get lunch quickly without paying too much,” said Clara Raedeker, a frequent “flier” and sophomore in Berkeley International High School (BIHS) “`I think that it’s also a great healthy option.”
“It was really good,” said Rafi Jimenez, a junior in Academic Choice (AC) and Flying Falafel first-timer. “Usually, I’m a picky eater, but I really liked everything there.”
When asked about the importance of the integration of different cuisines, she said, “I think it’s important because people may not have experienced dishes like this before.”
The most recent addition to the Mediterranean craze is The Halal Guys. This restaurant offer a more broad vision of Mediterranean cuisine. Diners can choose between a wrap or a platter filled with toppings of choice and also pick their protein.
While the influx of Mediterranean places provides good food for everyone, it also provides great options from people of Mediterranean heritage.
“The Flying Falafel is actually authentic, and I think it’s important that real Mediterranean food is accessible to people,” said Maya Ezekiel, a junior in Academic Choice (AC) who comes from an Iraqi background. “Food is a great way to learn about different cultures and experience new things.”
Be sure to check out and support these new Mediterranean restaurants that try to introduce all to different and absolutely delicious cultures.