Jul. 14, 2010 - Issue #769: Musician’s Survival Guide
Profile
Delicate flower
Dahlia's goes Mediterranean by way of Montréal
AUTHENTIC AND DELICIOUS » Dahlia's inviting interior / Bryan Birtles
Fadi Smaidi is the owner/operator behind Dahlia's Mediterranean Bistro. Smaidi, who was born in Montréal to Lebanese parents, recalls peeling potatoes when his parents started Boustan restaurant when he was just eight years old. Boustan, which has been graced by everyone from players on the Montréal Canadiens to Pierre Trudeau, is one of the most famous places to indulge in Lebanese cuisine in the historic French Canadian city. Fast forward 22 years and Smaidi has brought his wealth of knowledge—as well as his recipes—to Edmonton.
Dahlia's is an open-style bistro serving up healthy homemade meals in the building directly north of MEC on 124 Street. Every day Smaidi whips up two soups; the one constant is his tasty lentil soup, a recipe that reminds him of his mom every morning. The bistro has a simple selection of fresh Mediterranean salads and shawarmas complemented by a selection of sandwiches with authentic Montréal meats.
Since Jacquie is a regular, she knew exactly what she wanted. I, on the other hand, wanted to try everything. Smaidi presented us with an assortment of dishes to sample including falafel balls with a tahini dip ($4.95), baba ghanouj served with pita bread ($4.95), and tabouli—a healthy traditional Lebanese salad made from parsley ($3.95). All cheap. All homemade. All delicious.
Jacquie, sporting a seven-month baby bump, devoured the chicken shawarma she ordered for us. The chicken was tender and the homemade garlic sauce was so good I was licking it off my fingers. And yes, for those who are used to the authentic shawarma, Smaidi serves it with authentic purple pickled turnip.
Smaidi explains that even though the bistro only celebrated its first birthday this May, lunchtime is busy at Dahlia's. With the revitalization of the Jasper/124 Street area, even Saturdays have been busy.
In addition to take-away and its sit-down customers, the bistro is busy catering. Dahlia's now delivers downtown for just $2.50 on a minimum $10 order, a venture that is keeping Smaidi's staff busy.
What got my mouth watering were stories of the TGIF special—Meatball Fridays. Smaidi worked in an Italian restaurant in New York City and took with him a legendary meatball recipe when he left. One Friday he whipped them up for Dahlia's, and there was no turning back. "The staff at Mousy Brown's across the street grab take-away daily. One came over and went back to the salon raving about the meatballs and they came and cleaned me out. They begged me to make it a regular thing and Meatball Friday was born" laughs Smaidi.
Smaidi started making 30 large meatballs (two per order with pasta, $10.95), but demand has forced him to increase his meatball-making quota. "Last week I made 70 and was sold out of orders by 1 pm," he explains. "Now I have people calling to reserve orders to make sure I save them meatballs. People are going crazy over them!"
Smaidi is a Montréal import that is making the Edmonton culinary scene on 124 Street a lot tastier. I'm tempted to write his mother to thank her for lending her boy and recipes to Edmonton. Dahlia's Mediterranean Bistro is a spot worth stopping by. V
Dahlia's Mediterranean Bistro
10235 - 124 St, 780.488.7656
More info about Dahlia’s Mediterranean Bistro →
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