Beyond Café: A Family Affair
When the Meschi family came to Canada from Iran, they held a collective vision of their future. “We came here with that knowledge; we knew what we wanted to do,” recalls Hasti Meschi, 21. “We knew we wanted to start a business, so that was always in our heads from nine or 10 years ago.”
Hasti explains that her father, Vahid, worked in a coffee shop in Tehran, learning the art of running the business from the shop’s owner. After he and his wife, Elaheh, settled in Orléans with their two daughters — Hasti and her 18-year-old sister, Helena — they spent years working and planning their business. In 2023, they opened Beyond Café on St. Joseph Blvd.
“When we finally got the store, it was like a dream coming true… just like a Disney story,” Hasti says. “And we got to spend even more time together. Honestly, my friends are my family [too] because we immigrated from another country and spent so much time together. We only had each other, so it made our bond stronger.”
When it comes to the day-to-day operations, everyone in their tightly knit family of four has a role to play.
“We’re the perfect match,” says Hasti of her family members. My mom is really good at management, and she’s good at design as well.”
Hasti credits the café’s vintage vibes — with its velvet wingback chairs, china tea cups and cozy lighting — to her mother’s strong sense of décor.
“My sister, Helena, is also very good at management. That’s why we gave her all the email stuff; sometimes, she has to get serious, and I’m not the serious person.”
Hasti handles the café’s marketing and social media. “I’m more friendly, you know, chatty. I love talking to people; it’s really wonderful to meet different people every day,” she says.
And Vahid is the operation’s food guru. “He just knows food,” Hasti explains. It’s like he and food are the same; their souls are attached. He knows something will taste the way it tastes before even making it.”
Adding a Persian twist
Beyond Café offers an impressive array of breakfast, lunch and dessert offerings, best described as international flavours with a Persian twist. Breakfast ranges from sweet or savoury croissants and crepes to hearty, Middle Eastern-style dishes such as the Shakshuka Feta with Avocado Salad.
Hasti says that one of their main goals was to create a delicious and healthy menu. They use a lot of herbs, vegetables and fresh ingredients in their dishes. “A lot of people, when they try our breakfast, say, ‘It’s very light... very healthy; you don’t feel sleepy after.’”
Breakfast plates are served with barbari naan bread, a yeastleavened flatbread typically served at a Persian breakfast table.
Lunch offerings always include lentil soup, a Persian staple, along with a second soup of the day.
“We keep the lentil soup [on the menu] because it’s popular, healthy — and it’s dairy- and gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it,” Hasti says.
A lengthy list of sandwich options includes contemporary classics, such as chicken pesto, roast beef and caprese. For those looking for something out of the ordinary, the café offers several traditional Persian dishes wrapped up in sandwich form.
“We wanted to bring food items that could be eaten with bread, like a sandwich,” Hasti explains. “We made that into our menu: a Persian Kotlet or a Persian Kuku sandwich. They’re all traditional, and at the same time, they’re something everyone can enjoy from any background.”
The Persian Kotlet sandwich features an onion-and-groundbeef patty, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, seasoned with Persian spices — turmeric, cinnamon, garlic powder, paprika and dried basil. For vegetarians, the Persian Kuku sandwich consists of a potato, egg and spice patty layered with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and pickles.
Two sandwiches feature saffron, a beloved spice in Persian cuisine. The Juj Kabob sandwich pairs grilled chicken marinated in saffron sauce with fresh basil, cherry tomatoes and the Beyond dressing. Another brings smoked meat together with a creamy saffron sauce.
Brewing up the perfect cup
When it comes to coffee and tea offerings, Beyond Café makes big coffee chains look rather ordinary. Four pages of the restaurant’s menu are dedicated to drinks, ranging from espresso and lattes to milkshakes, frappés and hot and cold teas. What truly sets their drinks apart, however, is the incredible presentation; a quick peruse of Google reviews or the café’s Instagram page shows off decadent Iced Salted Caramel Pistachio Lattes and Fruit Frappes in tall glasses, reminiscent of 50s-style malt shops. Lattes are served with intricate designs; a recent music concert inspired musical staff s and treble clefs in the foam.
“That’s my father’s work,” says Hasti, explaining that he can improvise with the fat content of the milk to manipulate complex coffee art. “He’s an artist. He’s really good in the bar section. He just knows what to do.”
Vahid and Elaheh also make tiramisu from scratch, ranging from the traditional to matcha, pistachio or stone fruits, such as mango or peach. Additional desserts are outsourced to professional bakers and brought fresh to the café.
High tea is available by reservation and includes mini sandwiches, fresh pastries, scones, tiramisu and, of course, tea.
“They’re very popular,” Hasti says. “People like it. All we ask is that people let us know two days in advance.”
As she looks back on the café’s first year, Hasti quickly credits the community for their strong support.
“Honestly, sometimes I’m in shock,” she says. “Like, who knew we would come this far in a year? I can only thank them for all the success that we’ve had. Yes, we work hard for it, but without the community’s support, we would have just been running in a circle.”
Despite the long days her family spends at the restaurant, she swears she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’re living in a country where you can actually make your dreams come true,” she emphasizes. “I lived in a country where you couldn’t, so when I came here, even though the economy is sometimes bad, I say you can still do it.
“Just do what you love to do. It can be hard — it has its ups and downs — but at least you love it.”
Beyond Café
2701 St. Joseph Blvd., Ottawa
beyondcaf.com | @beyondcafe_23
