Zayna moving midtown
A popular eastside eatery has set its sights on a second location in midtown.
Zayna Mediterranean Café, a restaurant staple on the far end of East Tanque Verde Road, plans to open in the old home of Feast, 4122 E. Speedway, within the next few weeks.
Khalid El Assari, who will manage both locations for owner Riad Altoubal, said the new addition was a plan years in the making.
"We kept hearing people tell us we had the best food, the best gyros, but we were too far for students (from the university) who just wanted to stop in for a snack or a sandwich," El Assari said.
When they saw Feast had changed locales, they decided to make their move.
"It is a good location," El Assari added. "It's closer to the university. We know there are a lot of Mediterranean restaurants in the area, but we are confident we can do well there."
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Zayna Mediterranean has been open at 9105 E. Tanque Verde Road for more than six years and is named after Altoubal's oldest daughter.
Some of the café's signature items include the chicken shawarma plate and Zayna fries, half moon shaped fries seasoned with a lemon garlic dressing and Aleppo pepper.
Saturnalia at The Hub
The Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery is the next destination of Saturnalia, Tucson's mobile and monthly wine tasting and groove lounge.
Next Wednesday's event starts at 8 p.m. and will go until midnight at the Hub, 266 E. Congress St. The $5 cost includes five wines.
Saturnalia is hosted by sommelier/magician Kenny Stewart and DJ Carl Hanni.
More national press
We recently noted that Tucson eateries had been well represented on newsstands.
A couple more were brought to our attention: the March/April issue of Cooking With Paula Dean features Cafe Poca Cosa, 110 E. Pennington St., and Maynards Market & Kitchen, 400 E. Toole Ave.
Tell us your Mother's Day dining deals
Attention restaurants: We're looking for your Mother's Day dining deals. To include your dining plans in our roundup, submit your information at dailystarcalendar.com and enter your information under "holiday dining." The deadline to make the roundup is April 21, and it will run in Caliente on April 28.
Gerald M. Gay, Inger Sandal
