Archive for April, 2008

So long and thanks for all the fish

Sadly, as of 7pm April 7th 2008 Cafe Zesta has shut its doors. There were some unresolved financial issues which spurred this decision and we, the staff, are all very sad about it. The decision was not an easy one.

In the event that you would like to contact our wonderful chef, Maria Cooper, please email her at zestachef@gmail.com. She is available for catering and personal chef gigs as well as kudos for her job well done.

In the event you’d like to contact Maggie Gourlay, the driving force behind many of the gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan baked goods and the general manager of the cafe please email her at cafe.zesta@gmail.com. She is available for pretty much anything you have to throw at her for money as she has two young’uns to feed :P

Our Assistant Manager Eric Isbell is also available for employment and can be reached at eric_isbell@yahoo.com. Eric has more than 10 years management experience and a sunny disposition.

Lastly, if you enjoyed Cafe Zesta please please comment and let us know things you enjoyed or things you will miss. We all worked very hard to make this cafe a reality and will miss you all very much!!

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offerings for 4/7

(V)(GF)(NF) Saag Paneer $8.25

Fresh organic spinach sautéed in a blend of flavorful Indian spices with chunks of paneer (Indian cheese) and toasted pine nuts.

Served over rice.

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Indian Spiced Vegetables with

Black Mustard Seeds and Turmeric $7.75

A mix of Indian spiced vegetables served over rice with and grilled pita.

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Delicious Vegetable Sauté $7

Daily dish of sautéed organic vegetables served over rice. Try it with a side of pintos or black beans for $2!

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Sleek & Hummos Plate $7.50

Sleek: A Mid-East dish of kale, quinoa, caramelized onions, and lemon

Hummos: A spread of chicpeas, garlic, lemon, and tahini

Served with choice of grilled pita or toasted rice crisps (gluten-free)

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Channa Masala $7.50

Garbanzo beans, onion, garlic, and ginger with toasted cumin and mustard seeds in a delicious creamy tahini turmeric sauce.

Served over rice.

(GF)(CF) Chicken Mole $9.75

Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce made of blended almonds, pepitas, sesame seeds, dark chocolate, apricots, raisins, corn, tomatillos, and fire roasted black chiles, guaijillos, anchos, and mulato chiles.

(GF)(NF)(CF) Green Chile with Chicken, 12 oz. $6.50 16 oz. $7.50

Poblanos, anchos, guajillos, habeneros, New Mexican chiles, anaheims, and bell peppers blended with onion, garlic, carrot, celery, sweet potato, and spices loaded with pulled chicken.

(GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Broccoli Red Pepper

12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50

A delicious unique blend of broccoli, grilled red peppers, caramelized onion, and garlic studded with broccoli florets & red peppers.

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Minestrone- A timeless classic with a twist…a plentiful variety of vegetables in a flavorful broth swirled with pesto, thyme, parsley, cannelini beans, and fire roasted tomatoes

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Offerings for Fri. Apr.4

 (V)(GF)(NF) Saag Paneer $8.25Fresh organic spinach sautéed in a blend of flavorful Indian spices with chunks of paneer (Indian cheese) and toasted pine nuts.Served over rice.(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Indian Spiced Vegetables withBlack Mustard Seeds and Turmeric $7.75A mix of Indian spiced vegetables served over rice with and grilled pita.(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Delicious Vegetable Sauté $7Daily dish of sautéed organic vegetables served over rice. Try it with a side of pintos or black beans for $2!(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Sleek & Hummos Plate $7.50Sleek: A Mid-East dish of kale, quinoa, caramelized onions, and lemonHummos: A spread of chicpeas, garlic, lemon, and tahiniServed with choice of grilled pita or toasted rice crisps (gluten-free)(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Spicy Pinto Beans and Rice $5.50Pinto beans simmered with guajillo chile, tomato, red onion, fresh garlic, cumin, coriander, and oregano.  Served over rice.Try it with a side of delicious organic sautéed veggies for $3!(GF)(NF)(CF) Paella with Lamb Mergeza $9Spanish paella with aromatic saffron, red bell peppers, celery, a bit of onion, garlic, smoky paprika, lemon, and fresh parsley.  Served with lemon wedges and a small side salad. (V) Vegetarian (CF) Casein (and dairy) Free (GF) Gluten Free (NF) Nut free(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Channa Masala $7.50Garbanzo beans, onion, garlic, and ginger with toasted cumin and mustard seeds in a delicious creamy tahini turmeric sauce.Served over rice.(GF)(NF) (CF) Panang Curry with Chicken $9.50A peanut curry with a kick! 

Decadent coconut milk, lemongrass, red chiles, ginger, garlic, zucchini, red pepper, carrot, and toasted peanuts.  Served over rice.

(GF)(NF)(CF) Green Chile with Chicken, 12 oz. $6.50 16 oz. $7.50Poblanos, anchos, guajillos, habeneros, New Mexican chiles, anaheims, and bell peppers blended with onion, garlic, carrot, celery, sweet potato, and spices loaded with pulled chicken.(GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Broccoli Red Pepper12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50A delicious unique blend of broccoli, grilled red peppers, caramelized onion, and garlic studded with broccoli florets & red peppers.

 

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Offerings for April 2

Soups and Salads ~ Wednesday, April 2

 

 

All soups served with grilled pita or gluten-free rice crisps

 

** Have a Zesta Side Salad with your soup for $2 **

Simple mix of crisp greens and shaved carrot drizzled with choice of

tahini dressing (lemon, tahini, garlic) or Lebanese dressing (olive oil, lemon, garlic, mustard, mint, and a hint of red wine vinegar).

 

 

(GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Adzuki Bean Stew 12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50

A delicious stew of adzuki beans, red onion, carrot, kale, cumin, coriander, smoky paprika, garlic, ginger, tamari, and fresh herbs.

(GF)(CF)(V) Butternut Cashew 12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50

A silky blend of raw cashews, sweet butternut squash, fresh ginger, coconut, fresh vegetable stock, cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander. 

(GF)(CF)(V) Potato Pesto 12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50

A creamy herbaceous stew of Yukon potatoes, garlic, celery, and fresh basil pesto highlighted with lemon zest, nutmeg, and fresh parsley.

(GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Broccoli Red Pepper

12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50

A delicious unique blend of broccoli, grilled red peppers, caramelized onion, and garlic studded with broccoli florets & red peppers.

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(GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Hummos $5

Zesty hummos drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and smoky paprika. 

Served with choice of grilled pita or gluten-free rice crisps

 

(GF)(NF)(CF) (V) Zesta Side Salad $4 ($2 if ordered with meal)

Simple mix of crisp greens and shaved carrot drizzled with choice of

tahini dressing (lemon, tahini, garlic) or Lebanese dressing (olive oil, lemon, garlic, mustard, mint, and a hint of red wine vinegar).

(GF)(NF)(CF)(V)  Black Bean Mango Salad $4

Black beans, fresh mango, red and orange bell pepper, red onion, scallion, and fresh herbs tossed in a lime vinaigrette

 

(V) Vegetarian (CF) Casein (and dairy) Free (GF) Gluten Free (NF) Nut free

 

We use organic produce and support local farmers and businesses whenever possible.  All of our cheese is RGBH free and all of our meats are free of nitrates, hormones, and antibiotics.  We do not use artificial colors, flavors, unnecessary animal by-products or preservatives.

 

Specials ~ Wednesday, April 2

 

** Add a Zesta Side Salad to your entrée for $2 **

Simple mix of crisp greens and shaved carrot drizzled with a traditional Lebanese dressing of olive oil, lemon, and garlic or Tahini Dressing.

* Add a side of black beans for $2, sautéed veggies for $3 *

* Complementary grilled pita or gluten-free rice crisps available upon request. *

* A complementary side of tahini sauce, herbed yogurt, or mint chutney is available upon request. *

 

(GF)(NF)(CF) Javanese Chicken Curry $9.50

Tender chunks of chicken and red onion in a delicious

Indonesian coconut sauce and topped with toasted coconut.

Served with Chinese forbidden black rice.

(V)(GF)(NF) Saag Paneer $8.25

Fresh organic spinach sautéed in a blend of flavorful Indian spices with chunks of paneer (Indian cheese) and toasted pine nuts.

Served over rice.

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Indian Spiced Vegetables with

Black Mustard Seeds and Turmeric $7.75

A mix of Indian spiced vegetables served over rice with and grilled pita.

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Delicious Vegetable Sauté $7

Daily dish of sautéed organic vegetables served over rice. Try it with a side of pintos or black beans for $2!

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Sleek & Hummos Plate $7.50

Sleek: A Mid-East dish of kale, quinoa, caramelized onions, and lemon

Hummos: A spread of chicpeas, garlic, lemon, and tahini

Served with choice of grilled pita or toasted rice crisps (gluten-free)

(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Flavorful Black Beans and Rice $5.50

Black beans simmered with guajillo chile, tomato, red onion, fresh garlic, cumin, coriander, and oregano.  Served over rice.

Try it with a side of delicious organic sautéed veggies for $3!

 

(V) Vegetarian (CF) Casein (and dairy) Free (GF) Gluten Free (NF) Nut free

 

We use organic produce and support local farmers and businesses whenever possible.  All of our cheese is RGBH free and all of our meats are free of nitrates, hormones, and antibiotics.  We do not use artificial colors, flavors, unnecessary animal by-products or preservatives.

 

 

 

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Offerings for April 1st

(GF)(CF)(NF)  Moroccan Tagine with Chicken $9.25A traditional Moroccan dish of tender chicken simmered in browned onions, carrots, prunes, honey, aromatic saffron, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger.Served over rice.(V)(GF)(NF) Saag Paneer $8.25Fresh organic spinach sautéed in a blend of flavorful Indian spices with chunks of paneer (Indian cheese) and toasted pine nuts.Served over rice.(V)(GF)(CF) Methi Matar $8.25A fiery aromatic dish of fenugreek leaves, baby spinach, peas, tomato, and onion simmered in a spicy cashew coconut sauce.  Served over rice.(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Indian Spiced Vegetables withBlack Mustard Seeds and Turmeric $7.75A mix of Indian spiced vegetables served over rice with and grilled pita.  Try it with mint chutney!(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Delicious Vegetable Sauté $7Daily dish of sautéed organic vegetables served over rice. Try it with a side of pintos or black beans for $2!(V)(GF)(NF)(CF) Flavorful Black Beans and Rice $5.50Black beans simmered with guajillo chile, tomato, red onion, fresh garlic, cumin, coriander, and oregano.  Served over rice.

Try it with a side of delicious organic sautéed veggies for $3!

(GF)(NF)(CF)   Buffalo Chili, 12 oz. $6.50 16 oz. $7.50An intensely rich chili with a great depth of flavor… ground buffalo meat, red kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, garlic, caramelized onions, bell pepper, and a blend of spices.  Served over rice upon request. (GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Adzuki Bean Stew 12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50A delicious stew of adzuki beans, red onion, carrot, kale, cumin, coriander, smoky paprika, garlic, ginger, tamari, and fresh herbs.(GF)(CF)(V) Butternut Cashew 12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50A silky blend of raw cashews, sweet butternut squash, fresh ginger, coconut, fresh vegetable stock, cinnamon, nutmeg, and coriander.  (GF)(CF)(V) Potato Pesto 12 oz. $5.50 16 oz. $6.50A creamy herbaceous stew of Yukon potatoes, garlic, celery, and fresh basil pesto highlighted with lemon zest, nutmeg, and fresh parsley.**********************************************(GF)(NF)(CF)(V) Hummos $5Zesty hummos drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and smoky paprika.  Served with choice of grilled pita or gluten-free rice crisps (GF)(NF)(CF) (V) Zesta Side Salad $4 ($2 if ordered with meal)Simple mix of crisp greens and shaved carrot drizzled with choice of tahini dressing (lemon, tahini, garlic) or Lebanese dressing (olive oil, lemon, garlic, mustard, mint, and a hint of red wine vinegar).(GF)(NF)(CF)(V)  Black Bean Mango Salad $4Black beans, fresh mango, red and orange bell pepper, red onion, scallion, and fresh herbs tossed in a lime vinaigrette

 

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