PLEASANTON — Omar Etemadi and Sadaf Shaghasi are a young, vibrant couple, imperative characteristics if they wish to survive the unforgiving restaurant world. The long hours — thats the hardest part, Etemadi said. The other hard part is making customers come inside. A lot of people dont even know what Afghan food is.
Etemadi and his wife of three years, Sadaf, opened Oasis Fusion Grille on Main Street a little more than a year ago. Its an Afghan-style restaurant that throws Mediterranean qualities in the pot to comprise a unique but welcoming menu.
Etemadi, 30, and Sadaf, 25, separately emigrated from Afghanistan as young toddlers and met each other as students at San Jose State University. The Tracy residents also own Fresh Squeeze next door, offering refreshing beverages.
All of this on top of raising their 16-month old son, Ibrahim.
I love him, its fun, Etemadi said of his son. But putting so much time in here, its hard to put time in my son because Im always working. Every minute I am not here, I spend with him. Trying to survive, its not cheap to live in California or raise a family.
After college, Etemadi knew the restaurant world was calling. A biology major at the time,Sadaf admitted to being reluctant. The initial idea was to open a hamburger stop in Tracy. While contemplating options, they dined in Pleasanton. As they looked around, they noticed a void.
Me and her used to go out to eat here a lot and we always saw Italian and Mexican, Etemadi said. In Fremont, they have like four Afghan restaurants. When we started, I knew it would be tough.
With family support, they persisted in compiling a menu that would work for Main Street enthusiasts. The Mediterranean angle was meant to not scare people away. Though it might have been a risk
at the time, the idea has worked. The restaurant has established a lasting presence among loyal diners and continues to draw curious locals.
It was a really big hill to get over, Sadaf said. You need to be patient. Restaurants dont pick up for the first few months. Its just a matter of trying it. A lot of people were saying they wanted something new. Once they try it, they love it.
Newcomers might want to try the aushak — ravioli stuffed with cilantro and leek, topped with yogurt. There are an assortment of kabobs that include lamb and steak. Or how about eggplant borani?
Whats most rewarding is when you make someones night, Sadaf said. Theyre going to leave here happy. When you see someone come back, you know they really enjoyed it — when they come back for dinner or lunch.
Though both Etemadi and Sadaf both speak Farsi, they have not been back to Afghanistan since leaving and they really dont plan to, until its safe again. Instead, their focus is their son and the restaurant, which they hope to expand to beyond the Tri-Valley.
My next goal is to open one in San Francisco, Etemadi said. Its easier, especially when it comes to ethnic kinds of foods. But the No. 1 thing is service. And Im working on that every day more and more.
Etemadi and his wife of three years, Sadaf, opened Oasis Fusion Grille on Main Street a little more than a year ago. Its an Afghan-style restaurant that throws Mediterranean qualities in the pot to comprise a unique but welcoming menu.
Etemadi, 30, and Sadaf, 25, separately emigrated from Afghanistan as young toddlers and met each other as students at San Jose State University. The Tracy residents also own Fresh Squeeze next door, offering refreshing beverages.
All of this on top of raising their 16-month old son, Ibrahim.
I love him, its fun, Etemadi said of his son. But putting so much time in here, its hard to put time in my son because Im always working. Every minute I am not here, I spend with him. Trying to survive, its not cheap to live in California or raise a family.
After college, Etemadi knew the restaurant world was calling. A biology major at the time,Sadaf admitted to being reluctant. The initial idea was to open a hamburger stop in Tracy. While contemplating options, they dined in Pleasanton. As they looked around, they noticed a void.
Me and her used to go out to eat here a lot and we always saw Italian and Mexican, Etemadi said. In Fremont, they have like four Afghan restaurants. When we started, I knew it would be tough.
With family support, they persisted in compiling a menu that would work for Main Street enthusiasts. The Mediterranean angle was meant to not scare people away. Though it might have been a risk
It was a really big hill to get over, Sadaf said. You need to be patient. Restaurants dont pick up for the first few months. Its just a matter of trying it. A lot of people were saying they wanted something new. Once they try it, they love it.
Newcomers might want to try the aushak — ravioli stuffed with cilantro and leek, topped with yogurt. There are an assortment of kabobs that include lamb and steak. Or how about eggplant borani?
Whats most rewarding is when you make someones night, Sadaf said. Theyre going to leave here happy. When you see someone come back, you know they really enjoyed it — when they come back for dinner or lunch.
Though both Etemadi and Sadaf both speak Farsi, they have not been back to Afghanistan since leaving and they really dont plan to, until its safe again. Instead, their focus is their son and the restaurant, which they hope to expand to beyond the Tri-Valley.
My next goal is to open one in San Francisco, Etemadi said. Its easier, especially when it comes to ethnic kinds of foods. But the No. 1 thing is service. And Im working on that every day more and more.