Warmth of Family and Great Food Served Up at Bananas Grill

On any typically rainy Seattle day when you walk into Bananas Grill, the scents of the Middle East and Northeast Africa transport you to the warmth of an Oasis.  Creamy hummus, savory Shawarma, crispy falafel, all compete to fill the hungry void. The only thing exceeding the satisfying feeling of eating food at Bananas Grill, is the warmth of service that you receive from Bananas Grill owner Farah Ismail, his wife Amina, daughters, and any of numerous grandchildren that may be helping out throughout the day. “I wanted to create a place where we could work together as a family,” said Farah, “and a place where we could share our passion for the art of food and cooking.”
 
The family effort does not go unnoticed by diners, one former Plate of Nations participant said, “We love the family all working together.  It makes it feel very homey and intimate.”
 
A petroleum engineer by trade, Farah immigrated to the United States from Somalia in the late 1990’s. Bringing his culinary traditions with him, it took 15 years to save up the money to open his restaurant. The menu is a mixture of Northeast African and Mediterranean specialties, with a dose of American cuisine thrown in to reflect the family experience. All are prepared according to Muslim Halal traditions and cooked to order. The result is healthy, inexpensive, family-friendly food.
 
His timing was right to meet the wide variety of cultural and dietary health needs of the explosive growth in MLK and Columbia City. From healthy vegetarian and Mediterranean, to comfort food, there is a delicious, substantial option for everyone. One vegetarian Plate of Nations diner noted, “The food was excellent. Very good vegetarian option. The people working here are very nice, friendly, welcoming.”

This year, one lucky, diligent Plate of Nations diner will earn a private cooking class with Farah and his family by collecting stamps from participating restaurants during the two-week event. Twelve stamps will qualify participants for a drawing that will give them an opportunity to learn to make some of the mouth-watering items on this year’s Plate of Nations menu.

This is the 4th year that Bananas Grill has participated in Plate of Nations, which brings about a 30% increase in his business at a traditionally tough time of year. It’s is a sense of camaraderie among the participating restaurants that Farah looks forward to each year, and how the event maximizes group efforts to draw attention to the MLK area, and for people from all over to use light rail to access his location across from the Columbia City station. “I always like the Plate of Nations, especially when I can hear people praising the event. I even met people outside the state (last) year,” he said.
 
In fact, one Plate of Nations out-of-state diner said, “I live in West Fargo, ND, and my friends brought me here for Plate of Nations. The food was excellent, service was good with so many people here.  Cool that we could get here by light rail.”

A family establishment with commitment to future generations, Bananas Grill was also happy to green up the restaurant to become certified with the Seattle Green Business Program last year. These efforts minimize waste, save energy, and increase compost which goes into mulch that produces healthy food.
 
This year the Bananas Plate of Nations menus include:
 
For $15 – (6) Falafal, Hummus & Pita, (4) dolmas, (2) Vegetarian Sambusas and rice
                 
For $25 – Appetizer plate: (4) dolmas, (4) falafal, humus and pita Main Dish: Beef & lamb gyro meat, Grilled salt & pepper lemon fish, Rice, Salad and Chicken shawarma or Chicken Kabab
 
Bananas Grill is located at 4626 Martin Luther King Jr Way. More information at bananasgrillseattle.com