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Long island’s first CAVA location for quick and casual Mediterranean food has opened in Melville.
CAVA, with roots in Rockville, Md., now has over 80 restaurants across 14 states, according to its website.
The newest spot is located 834 Walt Whitman Rd. in Melville.
Now, Long Islanders can enjoy salads tailored just to their liking, be it zesty, spicy or savory. Diners are also invited to built their own bowls or sandwiches starting with a base of greens or grains.
Next, a customer chooses up to three dips and spreads, such as tzatziki, red pepper hummus or roasted eggplant.
Harissa honey chicken, falafel, and spicy lamb meatballs are among the available protein options.
Veggie toppings include bright purple pickled onions, feta cheese and cabbage slaw.
Lastly, patrons pick dressing, such as like yogurt dill or lemon herb tahini.
While this is the first CAVA on the island, there are already several in New York, with eight in the city, one in Brooklyn and one in Rye Brook, in Westchester.
According to the CAVA website, the restaurant’s three founding friends,Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos and Dimitri Moshovitis, “grew up with loud Greek families who spent their time gathering around food.”
They then went on the launch their first CAVA in 2006.
Twelve years later, their company joined forces with another Mediterranean name, Zoes Kitchen, based in Plano, Texas.
Together, they created CAVA Group, now the largest Mediterranean restaurant operator in the nation.
Top: The team at CAVA Melville (credit: Facebook)
