Opening day has been set for the debut of Zaatar W Zeit, a casual Lebanese restaurant chain, and its much-anticipated Park Royal location.
The addition of the West Vancouver outpost means the Beirut-born brand has doubled its presence in the region; Zaatar W Zeit opened its first B.C. location in 2019 in Downtown Vancouver.
The Lebanese Eatery will welcome its first guests at 900 Main St at Park Royal on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Founded in 1999 in Lebanon, the casual restaurant has over 80 locations world-wide, with the majority in Middle Eastern nations. Headquartered in Jeita, Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon, Zaatar W Zeit is one of Lebanon's largest restaurant chains.
After the downtown Zaatar W Zeit, the West Vancouver location will be the second non-franchised restaurant outside of Lebanon, business director Joanne Zarifé to the North Shore News this summer.
Of several possible locations, the company identified a strong need on the North Shore, she said.
At Park Royal, Zarifé hopes the high-traffic placement will attract many new eyes to the Zaatar W Zeit brand. She said that the restaurant has been very popular with teens internationally, and expects the youngsters who frequent Park Royal to also enjoy the concept.
One big draw will be the location's patio, which is set to open up in spring 2024.
Zaatar W Zeit: What to expect on the menu
The name Zaatar W Zeit translates to "thyme and olive oil" which are pantry staples in Lebanese cuisine.
The menu features items like salads, wraps, soups, dips, and all-day breakfast. A central focus of the brand is to offer fresh-made, health-focused foods, including many vegetarian and vegan options.
One signature menu item is a core Lebanese dish called manousheh, which is flatbread with toppings. At Zaatar W Zeit, two popular options for the dish are the Classic Zaatar manousheh, made with authentic ground zaatar (thyme) mixed with toasted sesame seeds, sumac spice and oil and the Lahmeh Bi Ajjine (Beef) manousheh, made with minced beef blended with spices, diced onion and tomato. Another best-seller is the restaurant's Green Baked Falafel wrap, made with baked falafel.
Coffee drinkers may want to try the restaurant's house blend with cardamom. Other beverage options include a non-caffeinated Blossom Infusion (Café Blanc), made with a traditional Lebanese infusion of orange blossom and lemon zest. The Park Royal location also serves wine, beer, and liquor.
Menu items are priced in the $6.49 to $15.99 range.
To celebrate opening day at Park Royal, the first 23 guests will receive a free wrap in a nod to the final month of 2023.
Zaatar W Zeit will be open Monday through Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Follow @zaatarwzeitca on Instagram.
With files from Nick Laba
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