Cluster of Stars

*’ORMOND BEACH — The owners of the new Soraya Mediterranean Cafe received a surprise visit Friday (June 23, 2023) by Melanie Griffin, secretary of the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, who dropped by to participate in an impromptu ribbon-cutting.

(Pictured above are Melanie Griffin, third from the right, secretary of the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, congratulates the owners of the new Soraya Mediterranean Cafe at 156 E. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach, after participating in a ribbon-cutting Friday, June 23, 2023. Pictured from left: Ormond Beach Chamber CEO Debbie Cotton, Soraya co-owner Ayten Hooper, Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington,Griffin, Soraya co-owner Fay Sarshory and her cousin, Maryam Ghyabi-White.)

Sarshory said the cafe’s goal is to “expose locals to Persian and Turkish cultures beyond any political associations.”

Soraya Cafe offers Turkish and Persian desserts − including baklava, Turkish-baked rice pudding, and Persian homemade cakes − as well as Persian breakfast items, Turkish simit (similar to bagels), soups, salads and panini sandwiches. It also serves Turkish coffee and other espresso and tea drinks.

Soraya is Persian for “cluster of stars.” It’s also the name of the second wife of the last Shah of Iran. Queen Soraya enjoyed a brief career as an actress in the 1960s.

A photo of the late Queen Soraya, the second wife of the Shah of Iran, is on displayed along with interesting art

Sarshory is an Iranian native who, as a teen, fled with her family to the United States during the Islamic Revolution in 1979. She currently works as the broker/owner of Florida Property Experts in Ormond Beach. Hooper is a veteran restaurateur from Turkey

They met when Sarshory was a customer at Hooper’s Istanbul Turkish Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant on U.S. 1. became friends and talked about starting a coffee shop together. Hooper has since sold the eatery.

When the building that previously housed a quilt shop became available, Sarshory leased it and invited Hooper to become partners in opening Soraya Cafe.

Hooper is the creative touch behind the food. Sarahory the interior design.

I am a coffee lover who had never had Turkish coffee. We when to lunch there last week and I was pleasantly surprised by the coffee, yes. . .But also the pricing.

According to FOX 10; “The financial services company found that guests across the country paid an average of $3.08 for a cup of regular coffee, $5.14 for cold brew, $5.46 for lattes and $3.74 for tea during the first quarter of 2024.” https://a.co/d/0dPrSi3m I had the Turkish coffee. It is very strong and hot, served without sugar or cream, half and half, or milk. It was an experience. You drink the water after.

I loved the ambiance and beautiful china. My husband had chicken salad on a simit. I had quiche and a pear cake. All tasted delicious

Please join me on Wednesday, June 26th, at 2PM at Soraya Cafe. I will talk about the writing process and read passages from my debut novel, Morningside Drive. Reservations (386-265-0137) are required since space is limited. A light fare of Quiche and Baklava plus choice of hot or cold beverage will be served, cost $25.00.

You can take a peek at Morningside Drive