Zorba’s: Then and Now
Robert Bastani, owner of Zorba's Mediterranean Cuisine.
I will begin by saying I once ate at Zorba’s 2 to 3 times a week. I worked nights at the time, and would show up just before the daily lunch special expired: Gyros Sandwich, fries and a drink $4.99.
Headline News, back when it was still news, delivered by Chuck Roberts was always on and I could eat and get the headlines while enjoying delicious food peacefully.
Something in the mix of the pickles, onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce calmed my young, fretful soul.
Zorba's at its old location, formerly a Taco Tico.
Time passed, I started a family, got a day shift and my opportunities to eat at Zorba’s thinned. I worked in Norman and discovered the The Greek House.
By luck, my children grew to love it. When they were toddlers, it was the only meat either Luke or Kate would eat.
Owner Robert Bastani used to sell me the meat frozen so I could feed it to the kids at home.
Bastani’s family grew, too, as did his ambition.
In 2007, he left the old Taco Tico location in the 4000 block of N May for the old Monterey Jacks location in the 6000 block of N May. He spent almost a year converting the place into the restaurant of his dreams.
Zorba's moved 20 block north on N May Ave. in 2007.
And yet, somehow we find ourselves going there less and less.
The new place is beautiful, the old place was a dive.
The new place has an expanded menu with more interesting dishes and pizza. There’s a full bar, belly dancers on weekends.
The old place had a yogurt drink.
I loved the old place, the new place just makes me miss the old place.
Lori swears the falafel isn’t what it used to be. The prices are certainly higher. Now, it’s full-service. The family feast used to cost $19.99, now it’s $39.00 — plus tip.
Business still seems to be good., but competition has increased. Great places for gyros, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food have popped up around the city. Places like Camilya’s, Athens Cafe, Gyros Etc., and Mediterranean Imports and Deli are in my life now.
I still like Zorba’s. But the love affair is over.
The gyros plate at Zorbas, served with fries and tzatziki sauce.
Then again, maybe it’s less about Zorba’s and more about me. The Zorba’s I loved was at a time when I had fewer responsibilities, fewer complications. Maybe my new opinion of Zorba’s has little to do with the changes they’ve undergone and more about the changes I’ve undergone.
Maybe I don’t miss the old Zorba’s, maybe I miss the young me.
Have you been to Zorba’s? Let me know what you think.
Will Rogers Theatre hosts night of food, wine & charity
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Sept. 8 for the first-ever Thirst For a Cure at Will Rogers Theatre, 4322 N Western Ave., from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A dozen restaurants and 30 wineries will be on hand, serving more than 150 wines.
Proceeds benefit “Restaurants & Rackets”, a charitable foundation recently founded to help provide aid to employees of the restaurant & club industry.
Wines from California, Oregon, Washington, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Italy, Spain, France and Japan will be offered.
Restaurants scheduled include: Bolero, Bellini’s, Boulevard Steakhouse, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, The Coach House, Jamil’s Steakhouse, La Baguette Bistro, The Metro, Musashi’s, Oak Tree Country Club, Quail Creek Country Club, and Sushi Neko.
Wineries in attendance include: Blackbird Vineyard, Paul Hobbs Wines, Pepper Bridge Winery, Amavi Cellars, K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines, Raptor Ridge, Martin Ray Winery, Orin Swift, BonAnno Vintners, Small Vineyards of Italy, Well Oiled Wines of Spain, Crios, BenMarco, Mendel, Susana Balbo, Vina Cobos, Bourgeois Selections of France, Palmina, Brewer-Clifton, Melville, Big Fire, Dobbes Family Estate, Wine By Joe, Charbay Winery & Distillery, Darms Lane Wines, Hey Mambo, Moobuzz, Plungerhead, sake2me, Lost Highway Project, Shinas Estate (The Innocent, The Guilty, & The Verdict), Small Gully (The Formula & Mr. Black’s Concoction), Auntsfield Estate, Torbreck and others.
Tickets are $50 For more information call (405) 942-9463 or click here.
