‘Everything is Made with Love’ at Halifax’s Newest Cafe
HALIFAX — Zahraa Al-Ali went to university to become an engineer. But her passion for food and a great cup of coffee was never far from her mind. Now she is less than two weeks away from opening her own cozy café where people can gather for conversation over pastries and a hot beverage.
“Food always tends to bring conversations and bring people together, and I come from the Middle East and the kitchen table always has this magical feeling and it just means a lot, that sense of belonging, community, and family. So, I always had an interest in food and I always had an interest in doing something related to food,” explained Al-Ali.
“I always sort of taught myself a few things on the side and experimented in the kitchen and a few years, my husband and I were contemplating doing something different outside of our corporate jobs.”
Rumi Coffee Company will open inside Vertu Shops at 1535 Dresden Row in Halifax. Customers can expect a blend of traditional café treats as well as Arabic and Turkish coffee and tea. The anticipated opening date is May 12.
“Everything’s made with love. Everything’s made of high quality. Everything is made authentically. Food will not have preservatives or any artificial ingredients. And it will be able to balance unique ingredients from the Middle East, plus seasonal vegetables and fruits.”
Al-Ali has had a lot of travel and change in her life. Before immigrating to Canada, she spent her childhood in the Middle East. She was born in Iraq during the country’s eight-year war with neighbouring Iran. Her parents moved the family to Jordan in the early 90s due to the Gulf War and the uncertainty facing Iraq’s future.
Al-Ali notes that no matter what country or culture you hail from, coffee is one of the few items that transcends borders and language barriers.
“Coffee is an international language,” posits Al-Ali. “It doesn’t rely on you speaking English or Arabic. It’s similar to chocolate and flowers in the sense that we don’t need to speak a certain language, but we can all communicate, and we all want a good coffee, and we all know a good flower — how it smells and how beautiful it is, or how chocolate leaves a pleasant taste in your mouth.”
“Everyone drinks coffee for a reason. Some drink because it’s their morning wakeup call. Some drink it because it brings that nice warmth, especially in winter. And I find coffee is as unique as the person who’s drinking it.”
Al-Ali has put thought and care into every aspect of her new café, even when it came down to choosing the right name. She decided to name it after Rumi, the legendary 13th-century Middle eastern poet, scholar, and mystic.
Known for his word of empathy and love of happiness and humanity. He has been called the best-selling poet in America. He is known for such empowering quotes as “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself,” and “Dance until you shatter yourself.”
“Arabic language is extremely beautiful and rich, and we wanted a name that would hold its beauty. So as we were doing the research, we came across to me and Rumi. A lot of his work was focused on self-love, appreciation for others, family, being together, that sense of community and your relationship with God, and respect.”
“We found that actually resembles what being a Canadian is; you’re part of your community, you work with your neighbors. And there is reciprocity in that relationship.”
Now that the grand opening is days away, Al-Ali, much like the words of Rumi himself, is filled with gratitude and joy.
“All the feelings are all in one bucket. I’m super excited. I’m anxious about it. I’m super happy that I will see my idea coming to life and I’m anticipating the response from the customers and being able to serve them.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].