First Bite: Bath Avenue’s Sooo Delicious Is A Pan-Ethnic Eatery That Lives Up To Its Name
After 20 years working for others,
Nick Abulawi decided it was time to set off on his own. So he opened Sooo Delicious Food Court at 1801 Bath Avenue, serving a wide range of American and ethnic foods that he says reflect the neighborhood around it.“The opportunity was available and the area has a wonderful mixed population that could use some variety of food, so we’re serving everything from Italian to Mediterrenean to different ethnic foods,” said Abulawi, as he pushed a third plate of samples across the table
The food court’s range is huge, with a couple of dozen hot items in addition to a fully stocked sandwich, panini and salad station, soup line, frozen yogurt dispensers and sumptuous looking chickens slowly turning on spits.
Abuwali, himself a Jordanian immigrant, worked at Bay Ridge’s Gino’s Restaurant for more than 20 years, climbing the ladder to become manager. It was his first and only full-time job in the states until Sooo Delicious.
“Through my job, I met a lot of people and gained a lot of experience in the restaurant business,” said Abuwali, 48.
After Casa Calamari closed up shop and the storefront came up for lease, he teamed up with Sam Obeid who owns the Key Food across the street.
“It was his idea of putting this establishment together and I came along where I could help him out. Between the both of us we’re trying to do the best we can,” he said.
And Abuwali has the personal touch. Several times during our visit he spoke with new and old customers, thanking them for their visit and soliciting feedback.
He’s also a bit of a perfectionist. After giving me samples of a Mediterranean seafood rice – sticky, flavorful with hearty chunks of seafood – topped with a chicken cutlet slathered in a cheesy, sundried tomato cream sauce, he refused to let me take photos unless they were properly plated. (We never did get a good shot of that dish, but here you can see the salads, kebab and rice).
The food is prepared under the guidance of executive chef Frankie Generoso, whose done stints at a handful of prominent local restaurants. He works alongside co-owner Obeid’s 22-year-old son, Ameer Obeid, an aspiring chef who’s not afraid to try new things in the kitchen.
“He has the potential one day to run the kitchen. He really loves working with the food and is always creating new things new try,” said Abuwali.
Open for only three months, Abuwali said Sooo Delicious has so far been a hit with neighbors.
“They’ve been receiving it great,” Abuwali said. “They appreciate it and they’re very supportive and their reaction to our food is great. Seeing people four times a week, five times a week, sometimes twice a day – it gives me more energy to do more. I appreciate everyone coming in here.”
What to try? Abuwali said his favorite dishes are the meatloaf special and the Mediterranean line that includes hummus and falafel. This writer was a particular fan of the seafood rice and the chicken with sundried tomatoes in a cream sauce.
Another reason to give Sooo Delicious a shot? I’m a sucker for wacky, waving inflatable arm flailing tube men:
