Ben and Amanda Swirsky are the husband-and-wife owner/operator duo of Zest Cafe & Home Art in North Raleigh. While they share responsibility for day-to-day operations, Amanda is the buyer and curator of Zest’s gift store. About this festive time of year, she says, “Our entire store is turned into a holiday wonderland!”
Read on to learn more about Zest’s merrymaking meal options and gifts for customers.
Zest opened in 1995. Can you share with readers how it came to be?
Ben’s parents opened Zest in December of 1995. They had recently relocated to the area from Chicago. Ben’s dad, Marvin, had a master’s degree in culinary arts. Ben’s mom, Carla, had a big role in Crate & Barrel for many years and a keen eye for tabletop and gift. They combined their talents to create Zest Cafe & Home Art.
You describe your menu as “ever-changing.” Can you give us a sneak peek at your winter options?
Our menu changes with the seasons, allowing our chef to use the freshest in-season produce. Our fall and holiday menus usually consist of our signature salads and entrees and an extra splash of comfort foods like short rib, root veggies, sweet potatoes, etc. Also, keep your eye out for our Everything but the Bird Thanksgiving catering menu! This special menu is always a hit with our customers and provides delicious Thanksgiving sides and desserts!
Owners Ben and Amanda Swirsky
What are some popular items on your menu?
Currently, our most popular menu items are The Orchard Salad, The Awesome Quesadilla, and The Kickin’ Noodles and Shrimp.
Do you offer vegetarian or specialty diet options?
Many of our menu items are vegetarian friendly. One of our bestselling and most delicious menu items is our All Veggie Lasagna.
Your cuisine is “innovative, contemporary American cuisine with a fresh & healthy outlook.” What does that mean regarding ingredients and preparation?
We make most of our menu items — including our dressings, breads, and desserts — in house. We offer many healthy and fresh menu items. Our signature Select Salad with our Zestmade raspberry balsamic dressing has been on our menu consistently since 1995. Another fan favorite is our unsweetened raspberry iced tea. We do not have fryers or heat lamps.
Was the boutique original to Zest, and how successful is the marriage between cafe and gift store?
The shop has been here since day one! It is a symbiotic relationship. The cafe is more successful because of the gift shop and vice versa. Most folks tend to shop while waiting for a table or spend time perusing after finishing their meal.
Raleigh grandparents Patricia and Gary Blevins shop in Zest’s gift store
Will there be holiday items available for purchase?
We have at least six Christmas trees and so many festive holiday items! Stop by to check out our 2024 ornament collection — and don’t forget that we offer complimentary Zest giftwrapping!
What are your seating options?
We have a cozy café and a covered outdoor patio area. We have heaters for the patio, making it a viable year-round outdoor eating option.
For those who like a bustling café, what’s the best time to visit? How about your quieter times?
Lunch is our busiest service. We seat lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The busiest time is noon to 1:30 p.m. Dinner service is usually a little quieter. We seat dinner from 5–8 p.m.
Can you tell us more about your family-style to-go and catering services?
We offer an extensive catering menu. It is priced fairly and includes many of our bestselling menu items and a few specialty items not available on our seasonal menus. Call us at (919) 848-4792 to schedule catering for your next work meeting or party! Our Family Style Menu consists of several delicious menu items that feed 3–4 people and come with a house or Caesar salad. Call the day of to order from our family-style menu; it will be hot and ready to go when you pick it up.
Does Zest give back to the community?
Yes! We sponsor Lead Mine Elementary, our neighborhood elementary school. We also donate to many different churches, schools, and charities throughout the year. Recently, we raised money to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina.
You have a huge milestone approaching! Do you have any plans to celebrate your 30 years in 2025?
We’re going to party like it’s 1995!
Anything else you would like to share?
We are grateful for the long-lasting support of our Zest community! It is an honor to serve fresh, healthy meals and provide whimsical gift options and home décor to North Raleigh.
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