Owner, Arthur Iskenderian, and cousin Jacques, always serve their authentic Mediterranean food with welcoming smiles.
Armenian Lebanese Dishes at Bô Café in Norwell
Nayri Keverian and Arthur Iskenderian opened Bo Cafe in April 2017 to offer Mediterranean food to local diners. They knew people loved Mediterranean, yet the area didn’t have many choices. Bo Cafe serves Armenian food, prepared the Lebanese way, Nayri explains. The couple, both Armenian, were born in Lebanon. They started small to test demand, renting space inside a convenience store for take-out only. The cafe got busy quickly and will be moving to a larger space with seating very soon.
The menu consists of sandwiches, salads, snacks and “grab-n-go” items, and the cafe also offers sweets, gourmet nuts, imported olives, and cheese. Popular hot sandwiches include the Shawarma, a pita filled with meat that’s marinated with Middle Eastern spices, roasted and shaved, and parsley, tomatoes, red onion, and Lebanese pickles drizzled with tahini sauce and sumac, and the Falafel with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, turnip pickles, and a tahini drizzle. The Labne Wrap is a favorite cold sandwich. Labne is a refreshing yogurt dip that’s spread on a pita and topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, mint, and olives.
From the salad menu regulars enjoy the Tabouleh Salad, which is fresh parsley, onions, tomatoes, and wheat, and the Fatoush Salad made with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, mint, and radish and topped with pita chips. Chicken, feta, tuna, or falafel can be added to all salads.
Other customer favorites are found on the Grab-N-Go menu. These include the house-made hummus, Baba Ghanoush (roasted eggplant with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice) and Kebbe, a Lebanese dish traditionally made with bulgur, minced onions, finely ground meat, and spices. Bo Cafe also features meat and pumpkin Kebbe.
For something different, Arthur recommends asking for a cauliflower sandwich. The cauliflower is prepared like falafel and replaces it in a hot wrap. Hungry diners should also check the specials, which could include grape leaves, stuffed peppers, Armenian meatloaf, soups, and more. An added bonus—customers are offered samples so they can try things before they order.
Bô Café
(New location as of Fall 2019)
400 Washington Street
Norwell, MA 02061
(339) 214-2153
www.facebook.com/BOCafeNorwell
Lauren Diggin is a South Shore-based writer and aspiring locavore. She thoroughly enjoys visiting these four Mediterranean restaurants and hopes to visit the actual Mediterranean one day.
