Bawadi Grill takes over the Sunflower
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| The entrance to the Sunflower on Leesburg Pike |
The Bawadi Mediterranean Grill is resurfacing at the Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant at 6304 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners.
Bawadi was forced out of its location at a strip mall on
Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads after the landlord refused to renew its
lease. It closed several weeks ago.
Leesburg Pike in Bailey’s Crossroads after the landlord refused to renew its
lease. It closed several weeks ago.
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| The main entrance to the Sunflower is on Arlington Boulevard in Seven Corners. |
When all efforts of Bawadi owners, Khalid and Sara Mekki, to
fight the eviction failed, they searched for a new location and learned that
the owner of the Sunflower wanted to sell.
fight the eviction failed, they searched for a new location and learned that
the owner of the Sunflower wanted to sell.
For the time being they are keeping the Sunflower staff and
its vegetarian cuisine and will later add items from Bawadi’s Middle Eastern menu. Nevertheless, there have been complaints from Sunflower’s loyal customers.
its vegetarian cuisine and will later add items from Bawadi’s Middle Eastern menu. Nevertheless, there have been complaints from Sunflower’s loyal customers.
To address their concerns, a sign from the “Bawadi and Sunflower teams” posted on the restaurant’s doors states: “Our plan is to merge the two restaurants together and bring you the best of both worlds. Please note that the current vegetarian dishes will stay the same, and we will add more vegan and vegetarian dishes from the Mediterranean.”
The restaurant name will be changed to Bawadi Mediterranean
Grill, and a new sign is expected to be installed in a week or two. The Mekki’s
are not planning to make any changes to the building and are figuring out how
to install the huge bread oven from their former place.
Grill, and a new sign is expected to be installed in a week or two. The Mekki’s
are not planning to make any changes to the building and are figuring out how
to install the huge bread oven from their former place.
Khalid says he appreciates Fairfax County government
officials’ help in facilitating the relocation and permitting process.
officials’ help in facilitating the relocation and permitting process.
5 responses to “Bawadi Grill takes over the Sunflower”
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Looking forward to trying the new menu – and very encouraging that the owners retained the staff from Sunflower.
Great news!
If they're baking bread onsite, I wonder if they will still be able to maintain gluten free items without any cross contamination?
I think it's a grand idea and I truly do wish them my very best; no complaints here whatsoever. We can't wait to visit and sample their new menu! As a patron of Sunflower I am looking really forward to a Middle Eastern flair. Best of luck with the permitting process.
As a devoted patron I am so happy to have Bawadi even closer. The owners are wonderful people and I am happy they have found a a permanent location
My good wishes to the family
Sheila Wayman