Cafe Ostro in Dalton, Georgia, has been voted Finest Mediterranean Restaurant in Georgia for 2021 by the Georgia Enterprise Journal.
Restaurant co-owner and supervisor A.Ok. Demirhat, who additionally acts because the cafe’s chef, mentioned it “made his day” when he discovered the restaurant had gained the award. He did not even know the cafe was nominated earlier than receiving a letter a number of months in the past notifying him that Cafe Ostro can be featured within the journal’s Better of Georgia concern.
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“I didn’t know that we had been nominated,” Demirhat informed the Instances Free Press throughout a cellphone name. “It was the very best shock. It’s an honor as a result of we have been nominated by a buyer. That is how they do it.”
Based on the journal’s web site, readers and editors nominate candidates for the Better of Georgia competitors. These candidates are then vetted by way of respected sources just like the Higher Enterprise Bureau, to make sure they’re strong contenders earlier than voting begins and winners are chosen.
“Understanding somebody thought this meals was the very best in Georgia means so much to me,” mentioned Demirhat, whose recipes have been handed right down to him from his mom. He’s from Turkey and mentioned that’s mirrored within the dishes the cafe serves and the way they’re ready.
Demirhat opened Cafe Ostro at 240 Hamilton St. in 2018 with co-owner Haisar Shehadeh. The objective, he mentioned, was to supply high-quality, contemporary meals to prospects straight away. Understanding those self same prospects imagine he has delivered on that objective means “all the pieces” to him.
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“We’re honored to characterize Dalton,” he mentioned. “Thanks to everybody who has supported us since 2018.”
Dalton resident Kirsten Parker is a type of long-time supporters. She had by no means tried shawarma — a kind of roasted meat cooked slowly on a revolving spit and shaved for serving in sandwiches or wraps — earlier than having it at Cafe Ostro.
Now she mentioned she visits the restaurant frequently to get a style of its well-known hen shawarma, and although she has since tried it at different eating places that provide the dish in Atlanta, she mentioned nothing has in contrast.
“I can see why it gained,” Parker mentioned. “In my view, the meals most likely is the very best within the state.”
Along with shawarma, Cafe Ostro’s menu gives hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, calamari, grilled mahi mahi, tahini salad, lamb kabobs and extra. All objects on the menu, which may be considered in full at cafeostro.com, may be made gluten-free. All kinds of vegetarian dishes can be found.
“Everybody loves the shawarma,” Dalton resident Lee Buckner mentioned. “However I’ve to be sincere with you, I do not assume there’s something dangerous you’ll be able to order. It is all good.”
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Cafe Ostro is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday by way of Saturday and 11 a.m. to eight p.m. Sunday. The restaurant will shut at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and can stay closed Christmas Day.
Contact Kelcey Caulder at kcaulder@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6327. Observe her on Twitter @kelceycaulder.
