Zorona’s offers dining paradise

Marisa Lawler Guest Writer

Rather than pay eight dollars for a smashed veggie burger and fries at last week’s BBQ, I decided to embark upon a culinary trip to the Middle East. Zorona’s Café and Catering, whose proximity to Vassar, low prices and acceptance of the V-Card makes it a student’s dining paradise, offers a welcome respite from the monotony of Vassar cooking. In addition, Zorona’s makes one feel like a guest in a relative’s home.

Pleasantly surprised by the large vegetarian selection, I ordered stuffed grape leaves, ($7.99), the falafel plate ($7.99) and Turkish coffee ($0.99). The grape leaves, stuffed with rice, mint, tomatoes and spices were filling and flavorful. The falafel plate, which came with a choice of hummas or babaghanoug, pita bread and choice of salad, also tasted fantastic.

In addition to serving a large number of non-meat dishes, Zorona’s provides delicious entrees for non-vegetarians. A house speciality, the Zorona Platter, features kabobs of lamb, kifta and chicken served with rice or fries and a salad for the minimal price of $13.99.

Although it serves spectacular food, Zorona’s really distinguishes itself with its friendly, homey atmosphere. The restaurant, whose pretty setting belies its inexpensive prices, is decorated with Middle Eastern knick- knacks and set with cloth table cloths and silverware. Our server was especially attentive, apologizing for the minimal amount of time the coffee took to brew.

The family-run atmosphere is authentic: when I asked our server why the owners decided to keep their prices so low, he asked if we wouldn’t mind waiting while he ran into the kitchen to ask his mother my question!