Jerusalem Garden Cafe

Once a year, downtown Asheville offers the “Small Plate Crawl.” Dozens of participating restaurants offer mini versions of their most popular entrees, for mini prices.

I spent tonight’s Small Plate Crawl at the Jerusalem Garden Cafe.

The owner of the restaurant, Farouk Badr, was born in Jordan and grew up in Jerusalem. After immigrating here 35 years ago, he and his brother opened a pharmacy next door to the restaurant. Five years later, Mr. Badr and his wife bought the sandwich shop next to the pharmacy. His brother still owns the pharmacy. 

All the recipes in the restaurant are old family recipes straight from the middle east. 

Tonight I had the Fatayer Spinach Pie with house made turmeric dough, stuffed with spinach, feta, peppers, and onions. It was really an exceptional spinach pie, and I will go back just for that alone. I should go back on March 14, for Pi day, and see if they have a discount. Maybe if I calculate the area of the circular Pi tin they bake it in, it will impress them. I still remember my high school geometry teacher telling me “Pi are squared.”  That is when I knew she was an idiot, because I've had a lot of pie, and all pie are round. That’s why you use Pi to calculate the area of a circle! If it were square, it would be cake!  But it’s pi. But enough of that. 

I also enjoyed the grape leaves and falafel. These are two of my favorite Middle Eastern Dishes. Their preparation was classic and delicious.

Finally, I also ordered the Pistachio-encrusted lamb chop. The meat was braised in a pomegranate molasses, and one of the most surprising flavors I’ve come across in a long time. It was served on a Greek salad. The Greek salad was fresh and crisp and sprinkled with Feta Cheese. It was really superb, and I will have to return for this too, maybe the day after Pi day.

The atmosphere was fantastic. Very comfortable, colorful, and well lit. The wait staff was friendly and efficient.

 
                                                     

The weather was so nice, I ended up taking my meal outside. 

The view of the bustling city was entertainment in and of itself. 

I had to return on Friday for the belly dancing, and learned more about this great restaurant. 

There are three seating venues. Outdoors on the sidewalk, where I ate on Wednesday, inside in a cozy and warm interior…. or the back room, called the “Tent” which is very romantic and out of the way, which gives you a feeling that you are desert royalty. 

On Friday and Saturday, there is belly dancing, and it is quite  mesmerizing. The musician was playing an instrument called the “Oud,” which is a predecessor to the Lute and Guitar. I had the pleasure of meeting the Oud Player and the Belly Dancer. They were both very interesting, well educated and fun.

Chris Stack is the musician, and he is very active in the local music scene. He comes from an engineering background. You can visit his music and technology website at ChrisStack.

Charlotte Louise is the belly dancer. She teaches belly dancing at Zahiya Dance Studio on Saturdays. 

Visit them online, Jerusalemgardencafe  or in person!! If you visit them on weekends.. you get to experience a live band and belly dancing.