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Rancho Magazine 2008
Rancho Magazine 2004
Coastal &
Inland Review May 2002
Greek Café Offers Heart Healthy Fare - Food Finds, San Diego
Union Tribune, August 23, 2001
Restaurant Spotlight - Rancho Magazine, Nov. 23rd, 2000
Letter from Dick Bloom to SignOnSanDiego.com of San
Diego Union Tribune
OPEN
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!
Copyright
© 2009 Pegasus Café of San Diego, California.
All Rights Reserved.
Restaurant Spotlight - Rancho Magazine, Nov. 23rd, 2000
In Greek mythology, Pegasus was the white winged stallion that carried
the hero Bellerophon in many dangerous adventures, and because of their
victories, Pegasus became the noble caller the god Zeus's thunderbolts. In
honor of his service, Zeus sat the constellation of the winged horse in the
earth's night sky. Pegasus was the most beautiful creature the nine muses and
the ancient world had ever seen.
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Antoine Sleiman
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Using Pegasus's beauty as a metaphor, owners Antoine and
Maggie Sleiman have created an attractive Mediterranean restaurant in Rancho Bernardo's
food court that would please even the most discriminating muse.
The decor is Greek in spirit, but without typical murals of
the Mediterranean, blue colors and faux columns. Instead, the walls are
accented with three-dimensional silk vines and grapes. Large prints of
classical Greek style paintings, moldings along the ceilings and draped
fabric with grape vines at the top of windows give the room its style.
Handsome wood lattice chairs add to the ambience. There are Greek columns,
but the effect is to tastefully knowledge antiquity.
The Sleimans are natives of Lebanon - she of Beirut and he
from Aitoo in the north. At age 18, Antoine began training as a chef in
Beirut and once that was completed, moved to Minneapolis, MN where he opened
an award-winning Greek restaurant. In San Diego, he has worked as a chef in
several Greek restaurants, including Calliope's.
Antoine and his wife opened Pegasus six months ago and since
that time he has emerged a chef whose specialties reflect expertise and
imagination. He presents a menu of traditional entrées
mixed with selections that are not exclusively Greek, and he does deviate
from his ethnic menu. A tasty grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich
served in pita bread and sauced with curry and aiole is a good example. There
is a French influence in Lebanon, and Sleiman's classical training is evident
in his dishes.
The flavors of Middle Eastern cooking are well-presented in
Sleiman's menu. His traditional specialties are prepared to order. His
ingredients are fresh, his recipes are his own and his talents versatile. The
dishes are sincere in execution and a meal is a pleasant experience
The menu offers its ethnic specialties à la carte or as a
complete meal. The former does not include soup, salad or pita. Some items
are strictly vegetarian and indicated as such. Begin a meal with a refreshing
Tabbouli Salad. This is a mix of bulghur wheat, parsley, fresh mint, green
onion and tomatoes tossed in a lemon-based dressing. This green creation
pairs well with a meat entrée or as a stand-alone healthy light meal. Other
salads include Greek, Gyros or Chicken.
Greek dips are perfect appetizers because they are light and
served with pita bread. It's fun to relax, break bread, and dip Greek style.
In addition to Hummus and Tzatziki dips, Pegasus features Baba Ganouj. This
is a lively dip of smoked eggplant, sesame seed paste, garlic and lemon
juice. Other appetizers include Yalandi, a delicious combo of grape leaves
stuffed with rice, tomatoes and green onions seasoned with lemon, dill and
mint or select filo pastry filled with cheese or spinach.
Specialties such
as Gyros, Souvlaki, or Chicken can be ordered as sandwiches or entrées.
The Greek version of a burger is Kafta. This is a flavorful union of ground
lamb and beef mixed with onion and parsley, broiled and served in pita bread.
An Eggplant Sandwich is both heart-healthy and vegetarian. Pita is stuffed
with grilled eggplant, lettuce and tomatoes. Another meatless sandwich is one
made with Falafel. Fried vegetable patties seasoned with fresh herbs and
spices are placed in pita bread with freshly made Tahina Sauce.
Kibbie Balls are a Lebanese specialty and can be ordered as
an appetizer or an entrée. Enjoy a rare treat of seasoned lean ground beef
combined with bulghur wheat and stuffed with walnuts almonds and ground beef.
The balls are deep-fried and serve with a yogurt and cucumber-based Tzatziki
Sauce. Poached Salmon served with Dill Sauce and Stuffed Greek Shrimp are two
entrées that Sleiman created to satisfy Southern California appetites.
Classic Souvlaki (kabobs) can be a choice of chicken, beef or lamb.
If what to order is an unanswered question, two Appetizer
Plates and two Combination Plates offer an assortment of items to make things
easier. These are perfect for the undecided or the neophyte. It's a great way
to try several things or to select a favorite.
No Greek meal is complete without Baklava, but another light
dessert is a mix of dates, crackers, walnuts and honey. Rice pudding is on
the menu as is a filo pastry rolled in semolina custard and topped with
orange syrup.
Kids' meals are available and several soups - Avgolemono,
Lentil or Horto - can be ordered.
Beer and wine are selection along with sodas. A meal can
vary from a $3.65 à la carte Vegi Sandwich to $13.10 to a Greek Shrimp
Dinner. Sandwiches range from the Vegi to a $7.15 Mahi Mahi. Entrées begin at
$6.99 to $13.10 for the shrimp.
Pegasus Café is located in Rancho Bernardo on the north end
of the Food Court, behind Jack in the Box at 16719-A Bernardo Center Drive.
Call (858) 487-2188 for take out and catering. Top
Greek Café Offers Heart Healthy Fare - Food Finds, San Diego Union
Tribune, August 23, 2001
By Pat Stein
RANCHO BERNARDO -- Named for the mythical winged horse
that carried thunderbolts for the Greek god Zeus, Pegasus Café has a classic,
pristine feeling.
All but hidden behind a Jack In The Box and a Carl's Jr. in
a
busy shopping center at the corner of Bernardo Center and
Lomica drives, the café offers a refreshing respite from the surrounding
hustle and bustle.
Owned and operated by Antoine Sleiman and his wife,
Maggie, Pegasus Café specializes in heart-healthy Greek
and
vegetarian fare.
Recipes developed by Sleiman, a native of Lebanon, feature
olive oil, garlic, satisfying grains, fresh vegetables and other Mediterranean
ingredients. Sleirnan was trained as a chef in Beirut, and the French
influence evident in Lebanese cuisine is reflected in the fare at Pegasus.
The menu, which includes poultry, lamb and beef dishes, is
highlighted by symbols that indicate heart-healthy and vegetarian selections.
Vegetarian specialties include moussaka (sauteed eggplant
with garbanzo beans, onions and tomato sauce); falafel (garbanzo bean
patties) served with crisp Greek salad and tahini sauce; and the horiatiki
plate (lentil pilaf with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and kalamata olives.)
Greek dips such as hummus and baba ghannouj (grilled eggplant
with sesame seeds, garlic and lemon juice) are designated as both
heart-healthy and vegetarian. Tasty lentil soup also falls in the
heart-healthy, vegetarian category.
Shrimp stuffed with feta cheese and diced tomatoes, then
baked in white wine sauce, is an excellent heart-healthy choice, as is the
grilled mahi-mahi, which is available either as a pita sandwich or a dinner
plate.
For those who have no dietary restrictions, there's grilled
lamb or beef souvlaki, plus outstanding gyros (seasoned lamb and beef cooked
on a vertical rotisserie and served with fresh vegetables and tzatziki
sauce).
A la carte entrées range from $6.99 to $10.95. Add about $2
for a complete dinner with a choice of soup or a Greek salad, rice or
couscous, vegetables and warm pita bread.
Specialty salads served with warm pita bread make a fine
light meal - especially the chicken salata topped with grilled chicken
breast, feta cheese, olive and pepperoncini.
The kids' menu features grilled chicken breast or gyros
served in pita bread with lettuce and tomatoes, with rice or french fries on
the side for $3.95.
Pegasus Café is open from 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday
through Saturday and from noon to 9:00 p.m. Sunday at 16719-A Bernardo Center
Drive. Call (858) 487-2188 for information or to order food
to go.
Pat Stein is a Cardiff writer. Top
To SignOnSanDiego/Union Tribune:
Thank you for selecting me as a winner in your North County
Chefs contest. You sent me a gift certificate to the Pegasus Café in Rancho
Bernardo.Last Sunday afternoon, August 5th, I went to the Pegasus Café
accompanied by my daughter, her husband, and their two little girls.
The first thing I noticed as we entered the restaurant was
that the place was CLEAN. I mean CLEAN! All the tables were spotless and set,
with no smears. The floor was immaculate, no litter or food particles or
evidence of previous spills.
We were seated immediately and were able to order shortly
after. Each of the adults ordered a different entrée. All of the food was
freshly prepared and was delicious. We all enjoyed our dinners, including the
children. The children's menu was a pleasant surprise; instead of the usual
hamburger or melted cheese sandwich they were served a nice chicken breast,
tastefully prepared, along with the chef's special rice, which they both
enjoyed. I couldn't believe how much my son-in-law ate. Not only did he
devour his own, but he gobbled up part of his wife's dinner that she couldn't
finish. My son-in-law has traveled in Turkey and Greece and he said the food
was authentic. Service was excellent. The chef's wife was a gracious hostess
and our waiter was helpful, courteous, and prompt.
Now for the clincher. The youngest little girl (five years
old) is fatally allergic to tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Ingesting
any of these could cause her immediate death and even just skin contact could
provoke a serious reaction. So they don't eat out as a family very often.
Chef Sleiman came to our table, personally, to discuss and assist with our
problem. He and his wife checked all of the ingredients of the items in
question (e.g. what was in the cooking oil, etc.) that he thought would be
safe for her to eat. As a result, we had a relaxed enjoyable dinner. They
went out of their way to help us and it is sincerely appreciated.
Thank you, Chef Sleiman. Had I not received the gift
certificate, I would probably never try the Pegasus Café; but now you can be
assured that I will return with friends and additional family. I will be
sending a copy of this to Chef Sleiman.
Dick Bloom
Top
Learn the Pegasus Mythology
OPEN
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK!
HOURS: Monday - Saturday 11a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.
- 9:00 p.m.
Copyright
© 2009. Pegasus Café of San Diego, California.
All Rights Reserved.
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