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Nourish cafe puts its twist on traditional Jewish at Palo Alto JCC

story by Patrick Condon

photos by Veronica Weber

Q FOODFEATURE

he Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto debuted T Nourish: A Newish - ish Cafe earlier this year. The nonprofit JCC is home to many different services, includ- ing its own preschool, gym and entertainment offerings for those in the Jewish community living on the Midpeninsula. And while it previously housed a cafe, the JCC opened Nourish in July with a goal to offer the community something unique. At Nourish, you might over- hear conversations spoken in Hebrew, but you will also see customers hard at work on their laptops and enjoying a snack, similar to what you see in any local Starbucks. That being said, the goal has always been to give the local Jewish com- The Greek flatbread munity a place to meet others pizza at Nourish cafe and foster new friendships, said at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto is topped Sally Porush, the JCC’s chief with pesto, Kalamata , people officer. , cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and feta cheese. Continued on next page

November 11, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q 21 My First Cars and Trucks Duplo Weekend ages 1-1/2 to 5 years

Continued from previous page plates and quesadil- las. There’s also coffee from “What we’re trying to do is Peet’s Coffee and teas from have a place for our community Mighty Leaf. Nourish primar- to come together,” she said. ily serves and , Key to the success of the new as the cafe closes at 5:30 p.m. cafe, said Porush, was bringing during the week and is not someone on board with strong open on weekends. restaurant experience. One of the biggest hurdles Porush found her answer in in crafting the new cafe’s Robert Stayte, whose experi- menu, Stayte said, was creat- ence in the ing items that serve kosher includes time as catering direc- customers who adhere to strict tor for the University of Cali- guidelines around preparing fornia, Berkeley as well as years and eating certain types of of working in corporate dining. meat and dairy. Among Nour- Stayte described the food he ish’s kosher-friendly dishes are makes at Nourish as “Jewish hummus topped with spiced cuisine with a twist,” add- chickpeas and a simple

As seen in our ing that he takes inspiration with marinara . Holiday Catalog from tradition- A customer al Israeli, New favorite, Stay- Robert Stayte says he’s designed Browse through our York deli and ‘What we’re trying te said, is the the menu at Nourish to be “Jewish Holiday Catalog on line. Call to order. California cui- . Falafel cuisine with a twist.” Courtesy Gift Wrap Year Round sine. For exam- to do is have a place balls are placed ple, one of the inside a gen- The atmosphere in Nourish 173 Main Street, Los Altos, CA • 650.941.6043 most popular for our community erous piece is relaxed and the decor wholly www.AdventureToysLosAltos.com dishes at the of , modern and unique. An entire cafe is a play come together.’ surrounded by wall is covered with cheeky on In-N-Out SALLY PORUSH, various veg- quotations chosen by the staff Burger’s famous JCC CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER etables, like (“The optimist sees the , “animal-style” tomatoes and the pessimist sees the hole”) fries (French cucumber. This as well as charging stations for Fries topped with cheese, grilled is certainly one of the more laptops or cell phones (it is in onions and the chain’s secret traditional Jewish dishes on Palo Alto, after all). sauce). Stayte added his own the menu, along with the With the new addition of twist by using Tater Tots instead ball that Stayte a desert-inspired “oasis play of fries and topping them with said customers pick up in space” playground next to the bits of . droves on Fridays to take home cafe, the JCC anticipates many The menu includes a variety before the start of the Sabbath parents will become Nourish of flatbread pizzas and , at sundown. regulars. Parents of children

The Tel Aviv tots at Nourish are drizzled with sauce and topped with and za’atar .

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22 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 11, 2016 Weekend

The falafel pita pocket is spread with hummus, drizzled with tahini sauce and topped with Israeli salad. who attend the nonprofit’s sphere and a meeting place preschool already make up a with great food that meets the large portion of Nourish’s cus- needs of our diverse popula- tomer base, Stayte said, adding tion,” he said. V that a lot of students from the Editorial intern Patrick Condon nearby Kehillah Jewish High can be emailed at pcondon@ School frequent the cafe, espe- embarcaderopublishing.com. cially for lunch. Now that Stayte has a more specific audience in mind at Q  DININGNOTES the JCC, he finds himself enjoying the challenge. A resi- Nourish: dent of Palo Alto for more than A Newish Jewish Cafe On Veterans' Day, Novembermber 111,1, 22016, a decade, he said he decided Oshman Family JCC, we gratefully recognize the contributions that Nourish was the right Jessica Lynn Saal Town Square, fit because it allowed him to 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto of our Veterans, freely given, pursue something new in his 650-223-8624 career. The concept forces for their service to our Country. him him to come up with paloaltojcc.org/cafe innovative dishes that Jewish Hours: We remember them; and non-Jewish customers can enjoy equally, he said. Monday – Friday, for, if they are ever forgotten, “I wanted to have an impact 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. surely all will have been given in vain. on a community by helping to Closed Saturday and Sunday. create a family-friendly atmo- More than ever, and to all the men and women who have ever worn the uniform; who stood up when many remained seated: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

THE CUSIMANO FAMILY COLONIAL MORTUARY 96 W. Camino Real Mountain View, CA. 94040 (650) 968-4453 Matthew Cusimano • Sherri Cusimano FD1041 www.cusimanocolonial.com Staff at Nourish chose the cheeky quotes that decorate the wall at the cafe. November 11, 2016 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q 23