You know, back in 2019, things were looking really good for us at Shiraz Kitchen. Our Westchester location had just earned a Bib Gourmand from Michelin, and the restaurant was buzzing with life. I felt like everything was falling into place. So, we took the leap—we planned to open a new location in Chelsea, right in the heart of New York City, and everything was set for March 2020. And then… well, we all know what happened next.

COVID hit, and just like that, the world changed. Everything we’d planned for came to a grinding halt. We had to delay the grand opening, and like so many others in the restaurant industry, we were in survival mode. Every day felt uncertain, and we were just trying to keep our heads above water. But by November 2020, we finally opened Chelsea’s doors. Even then, it was a tough road, but by mid-2022, there was this sense of hope that maybe, just maybe, we were going to be okay. But life, as it often does, had another curveball for us.

In September 2022, there was a fire—a fire that started at a neighboring print shop, and it tore through our original Elmsford location. I remember standing there, looking at what was left, feeling like everything had been taken away. It was one of those moments where you don’t know how to react. I’d put so much of myself into building this, and now… it was gone.

There were days when I wasn’t sure what to do. It felt like life was just saying, “Enough.” But something happened that reminded me why we do what we do. My team, my customers—people I didn’t even expect—reached out with words of encouragement, offering help, reminding me of what we’d built together. That support sparked something in me. It made me realize that this wasn’t just about me—it was about all of us. Shiraz Kitchen wasn’t just mine; it belonged to everyone who believed in it.

So, we decided to rebuild. We went through the long process of permits, construction, financial hurdles—you name it. But this time, it felt different. It wasn’t just about reopening. It was about creating something new, something stronger.

All through that process, I kept thinking about my father. He was a businessman too, and I’ve heard his story a million times—how he lost everything financially, not once but twice in his life. And each time, he started over. I used to go to him when I was younger, venting about my life and my struggles, and every time he would ask me, “Did you wake up this morning?” It used to confuse me so much. I’d say, “Yeah, of course,” and he’d just smile and say, “Then you’re lucky. So many people didn’t make it today. Be thankful for your life.”

That’s stayed with me. Now, every morning, I wake up and think of those words. No matter what challenges the day brings, as long as I’m here, I’ve got a chance. It’s that simple, but it’s powerful. And that’s how we approached this journey—step by step, day by day. We kept moving forward because we could. Because we had to.

On April 27th, 2023, we opened the doors to our new White Plains location. And when I walked in, it wasn’t just the building or the food that mattered. It was everything that led us there—the struggles, the sacrifices, the moments when I thought we wouldn’t make it. All of that is part of this place now. It’s in the walls, in the atmosphere. And it’s a reminder that no matter how many times you’re knocked down, you can always get back up.

Shiraz Kitchen isn’t just a restaurant to me anymore. It’s a symbol. A symbol of resilience, of community, and of the belief that you can always come back stronger. My father’s words echo in my mind every day: “Did you wake up this morning?” Yes, I did. And because of that, I can keep moving forward.

Looking around today, I see more than a business. I see a community that stood by us, a team that never gave up, and a future full of possibilities. The road hasn’t been easy, but I know this is just the beginning. There’s so much more ahead, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.