???With a natural backdrop featuring the calm waters of Lake LaSalle and the Romanesque columns of Baird Point, restaurateur Joe Khoury found that The Commons was the perfect place for a Mediterranean restaurant.
???"The view is picturesque, a picture perfect view of a beautiful campus," Khoury said.
???Rachel's Mediterranean Food, planned to open by March 1, will feature a variety of flavors from several of the diverse cultures near the historic region.
???Items from the Greek, Lebanese and Israeli cuisine, among others are on the menu, and will focus mainly on falafels, kabobs, souvlakis, wraps and hoagies.
???"I'm excited about this opportunity and I think people will love the food," Khoury said.
???Prices will be consistent with other locations in The Commons, with sandwiches selling for around $3 and full-course Mediterranean meals costing about $11, according to Khoury.
???"I think students will find we have very fair prices," Khoury said.
???Though construction is not yet completed, the restaurant already has a slightly different design from other locations in The Commons.
???"I like the fact that it has two levels," Khoury said. "It has a high-class feel to it."
???Khoury gained experience working with Mediterranean food at the family-owned Rachel's Caf?(c) and Deli on Main Street in Williamsville, which has received many positive reviews on restaurant-rating Web sites.
???"I think the school needs something like this," Khoury said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
