add things to it, changing things and giving more flavor
to it. That’s how it started.” She adds, “And people started
loving it.”
Albaadani lived in Eugene for six years before opening
the restaurant, initially coming to study at Lane Community
College and later the University of Oregon. She quickly
earned a reputation as an adept preparer of comfort food
for homesick Middle Eastern international students. When
an American friend told her he would happily pay $20 for a
plate of her food, an idea took root, although her lunch and
dinner prices currently range from $10 to $16.
Albaadani says many of the recipes come from her
mother, who is known to stop by now and then to see how
things are going. But the details of those recipes are closely
guarded. Sometimes a customer inquires about a recipe,
but Albaadani’s mother conveniently dodges the question
with the classic line: “I can’t tell you that; that’s a family
secret.”
Aside from top-secret recipes, Albaadani says her vision
for the restaurant is about sharing Middle Eastern food
with people who may not have had the real thing. That’s
the rationale behind the name, particularly the “network”
part. “It’s connecting,” Albaadani says, “connecting the
American culture with my culture and the Middle Eastern
culture, through the food.”
Albaadani and her mother redecorated the 18th and
Willamette location with blue and gold accents, complete
with antique lamps from Turkey. Middle Eastern-style
music plays quietly in the background. They currently
serve breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner, offering an
opportunity to try Middle Eastern breakfast standards like
labneh, a yogurt cheese, or motabq, bread filled with eggs,
tomatoes and green onions.
Albaadani acknowledges that appreciation for un-
Americanized Middle Eastern food may come as a
challenge for some. “But others come here and say, ‘Thank
you for doing this. It really does taste like home cooking.”
Mediterranean Network Restaurant is at 1810 Willamette Street and is open
every day from 10 am to 3 pm and 5 to 10 pm except for Tuesdays, when the
restaurant is only open 5 to 10 pm. Find the restaurant on Facebook for more.
Aside from top-secret recipes,
Albaadani says her vision for the
restaurant is about sharing Middle
eastern food with people who may
not have had the real thing. That’s
the rationale behind the name,
particularly the ‘network’ part.
FALAFEL
Sweet Cheeks Winery
New Tasting Room
NOW OPEN
at the fifth street public market
Join Us
Mon. - Wed. 11am - 7pm
OPEN DAILY Thurs,
- Sun. 11am - 8pm
live music
Fri. & Sat. 5:30 - 7:30
248 E. 5th Avenue, Suite 25
Eugene, Oregon
453-715-4991
EUGENEWEEKLY.COM/CHOW
CHOW FALL 2016
9