Pistachio Café

Pistachio Café was opened by Mohamad Hafez in the summer of 2020, taking the place of Café X, which closed in November of 2019. Hafez was born in Damascus, moved to Saudi Arabia, then immigrated to the United States from Syria in 2003. The trained architect and artist was encouraged by friends to open a haven that honored Syria, his home country, and provided an escape from Connecticut. The coffee shop is full of design elements and visual motifs that highlight Hafez’s background in architecture, including Victorian-style furniture. Pistachio serves a variety of pastries, specialty coffees and teas, as well as classic Mediterranean dishes/fare, like smoked salmon tartines, Haloumi paninis, Turkish delight, and baklava.

The coffee shop was meticulously crafted by Hafez to be a Syrian-inspired sanctuary that brings people together and celebrates Mediterranean culture – “Hafez aims to bring his native country to his neighbors not just through its food, but also by creating an opportunity for people to meet and talk with others from different cultures over a cup of coffee”. Originally trained as an architect, Hafez designed the café himself, making sure to keep the Middle Eastern majlis – salons hosted in people’s homes – in mind. Five months before Pistachio’s opening, he worked diligently with Luke and Mistina Hanscom of Lotta Studio to create a space that celebrates the “... cafés of Damascus before nine years of civil war tore the city apart”. Hafez’s experience with the majority of Middle Eastern food he’s found in the United States has been less than satisfactory, so he wanted to ensure Pistachio’s dishes were top-notch. The café serves food made by local immigrant and refugee chefs, and has many Connecticut-based partners, including Sanctuary Kitchen in New Haven, Damask Dessert Shop in Derby, and Giv Coffee in Canton. Additionally, Hafez plans to host a variety of events, including concerts, poetry readings, and other social gatherings; so, the café not only celebrates Mediterranean culture, but also helps foster a greater sense of community in Westville and greater Connecticut. Hafez notes that he has a passion for hosting and bringing people together – he has done so through his artwork and other skills, and wanted to use Pistachio as a challenge to see if he could do the same on an architectural scale.

The Sanborn maps from the New Haven Museum indicate that, in 1911, the building was a small, one-story wooden house owned by MFW Greist. The New Haven directory from 1913 documents the building as hosting a grocer, Masonic Hall, and druggist, so we can assume the space was commercialized between 1911 and 1913; and the United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service Historic Registration Form reveals that the establishment was built as a Masonic Meeting Hall for the Olive Branch Temple Corporation. Since 1913, the primary uses of the building’s first floor have remained the same, there is not much information on occupancy of the upstairs office spaces, and the building’s exterior has not significantly changed.

Pistachio is located within the Westville Village Historic District in New Haven, CT, which covers a compact yet densely populated commercial area that mirrors the historical significance of the town as a commercial hub. The district comprises 34 buildings, and predominantly serves commercial purposes – it features a diverse range of building types, including single- and multi- family residences with storefronts on lower levels, industrial complexes, two meeting halls, and a former hotel. The tightly packed strip along Whalley Avenue primarily consists of late-19th- century houses designed for combined commercial and residential use, as well as early-20th- century one- and two-part commercial blocks, all of which are currently used for commercial activities. The houses that predate the mid-19th century were originally single-family homes; however, their lower stories were eventually converted for commercial use during the early 20th century, requiring alterations to create storefronts. These conversions were a response to the growing needs of the quickly expanding residential areas surrounding the district.

Please see the table above for a detailed look into ownership and tenancy of 903-911 Whalley Avenue over time.

Please see the table below for a detailed look into ownership and tenancy of 903-911 Whalley Avenue over time. The table includes various years from 1911 through 2020, relevant photos of Sanborn maps and New Haven directories taken from the New Haven Museum, as well as the respective tenants. This information reveals that, since it was built, this building has primarily been used for commercial activities, with the exception of being home to a Masonic Hall for over 20 years. While there is not much information about the tenants of the office spaces on the upper level, it seems to have been a hodge podge of stores and services (grocer, dentist, bookkeeper, etc.).

For Hafez, Pistachio Café was not just a business venture; it was a beacon of hope that had been brewing within him for years. During his dark and challenging times in the United States, during his initial years as a student, and later as a successful architect specializing in skyscraper designs, the café was always a source of light. While his corporate journey was taking off, Hafez was simultaneously building his career as an artist; he found solace in being able to express his emotions stirred by having to watch the war and destruction in his homeland from afar. Pistachio Café was much more than a mere establishment to Hafez; it became a powerful response to the xenophobia he witnessed around him and a testament to his resilience.

Pistachio Café was opened by Mohamad Hafez in the summer of 2020, taking the place of Café X, which closed in November of 2019. Hafez was born in Damascus, moved to Saudi Arabia, then immigrated to the United States from Syria in 2003. The trained architect and artist was encouraged by friends to open a haven that honored Syria, his home country, and provided an escape from Connecticut. The coffee shop is full of design elements and visual motifs that highlight Hafez’s background in architecture, including Victorian-style furniture. Pistachio serves a variety of pastries, specialty coffees and teas, as well as classic Mediterranean dishes/fare, like smoked salmon tartines, Haloumi paninis, Turkish delight, and baklava.

The coffee shop was meticulously crafted by Hafez to be a Syrian-inspired sanctuary that brings people together and celebrates Mediterranean culture – “Hafez aims to bring his native country to his neighbors not just through its food, but also by creating an opportunity for people to meet and talk with others from different cultures over a cup of coffee”. Originally trained as an architect, Hafez designed the café himself, making sure to keep the Middle Eastern majlis – salons hosted in people’s homes – in mind. Five months before Pistachio’s opening, he worked diligently with Luke and Mistina Hanscom of Lotta Studio to create a space that celebrates the “... cafés of Damascus before nine years of civil war tore the city apart”. Hafez’s experience with the majority of Middle Eastern food he’s found in the United States has been less than satisfactory, so he wanted to ensure Pistachio’s dishes were top-notch. The café serves food made by local immigrant and refugee chefs, and has many Connecticut-based partners, including Sanctuary Kitchen in New Haven, Damask Dessert Shop in Derby, and Giv Coffee in Canton. Additionally, Hafez plans to host a variety of events, including concerts, poetry readings, and other social gatherings; so, the café not only celebrates Mediterranean culture, but also helps foster a greater sense of community in Westville and greater Connecticut. Hafez notes that he has a passion for hosting and bringing people together – he has done so through his artwork and other skills, and wanted to use Pistachio as a challenge to see if he could do the same on an architectural scale.

903-911 Whalley Avenue (Pistachio Café) is currently a two-story commercial brick masonry building, located on the corner of Whalley Avenue and Blake Street, and is a prime example of a Classical Revival structure. The first floor is a bigger storefront, and the second level contains smaller office spaces. The Sanborn maps from the New Haven Museum indicate that, in 1911, the building was a small, one-story wooden house owned by MFW Greist. The New Haven directory from 1913 documents the building as hosting a grocer, Masonic Hall, and druggist, so we can assume the space was commercialized between 1911 and 1913; and the United States Department Of The Interior National Park Service Historic Registration Form reveals that the establishment was built as a Masonic Meeting Hall for the Olive Branch Temple Corporation. Since 1913, the primary uses of the building’s first floor have remained the same, there is not much information on occupancy of the upstairs office spaces, and the building’s exterior has not significantly changed.

It's original use as a Masonic Hall means this building has rich history, which is characterized by its unique and charming architectural details. The establishment boasts an entablature that stretches across its façade, adorned with a brick parapet. At its center, a pavilion holds a stone plaque, which is embellished with Masonic symbols in the pediment, and is flanked by a colonnade. On the ground level, passersby see large glass doors at the entrance, above which is a simple pediment. Furthermore, there are several large windows, with plain brick pilasters dividing them. A distinctive beveled corner entrance adds to the building’s unique architectural features.

Pistachio Café stands where the Lotta Photography Studio’s coffee counter once did, and the coffee shop and studio are separated by a “puzzle of floor-to-ceiling antique windows that offers a semi-private glimpse into the space next door”. The coffee shop’s entryway features a tantalizing display case brimming with Middle Eastern delicacies. Upon walking inside Pistachio Café, you look up to see the striking tin ceiling, which is painted a vivid shade of blue- green. Lanterns and chandeliers hang overhead, casting a golden glow on customers and creating a warm, cozy ambiance. The back wall of the café displays a lush tapestry of greenery and flowers, and the bathrooms are adorned with old newsprint.

The café’s main sitting area is filled with Victorian-style furniture; the antique sofas, floral lamps, and coffee tables resemble a 19th-century salon. Another wall is lined with antique radios, under which a deep red leather booth meets the worn, wooden floors. Throughout his career, Pistachio’s owner, Mohamad Hafez, has bridged architecture and artistry in his pieces, and the café is a beautiful example of this unique skill. While the exterior has not changed much, the inside of 911 Whalley Avenue has lived many lives.

Footnotes / Sources / Bibliography

1. 903 Whalley Ave Property Record, in Tax Assessor Database.

https://gis.vgsi.com/newhavenct/Parcel.aspx?Pid=24647

2. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. https://npgallery.nps.gov/pdfhost/docs/NRHP/Text/02001727.pdf.

3. Lotta Studio LLC in New Haven, CT - (203) 780-8764 - Company Profile. https://www.buzzfile.com/business/Lotta-Studio-LLC-203-780-8764.

4. Sam Carlson. “X Marks New Coffee Spot in Westville.” New Haven Independent, February 1, 2022. https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/article/x_coffee_/.

5. “903-911 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06515.” LoopNet, January 1, 1AD. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/903-911-Whalley-Ave-New-Haven-CT/4090103/.

6. Gellman, Lucy. “Pistachio Prepares a Sweet Opening in Westville.” vast.png, August 21, 2020. https://www.newhavenarts.org/arts-paper/articles/pistachio-prepares-a-sweet- opening-in-westville.

7. “Delicacy, and Delicacies.” Daily Nutmeg, January 6, 2021. https://dailynutmeg.com/2021/01/06/pistachio-cafe-delicacy-delicacies/.

8. Pistachio cafe opens second location in New Haven - new haven register.

https://www.nhregister.com/business/article/Pistachio-Cafe-second-location-New-Haven-

17720662.php.

9. 1923 Sanborn Map (New Haven, Connecticut, Volume 4), New Haven Museum. Hard

copy accessed by author, September 23, 2023.

10. New Haven Directories (1913, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1920-21, 1923-24, 1934, 1960, 1983,

2006), New Haven Museum. Hard copy accessed by author, September 23, 2023.

11. 1911 Atlas, New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven Museum. Hard copy accessed by

author, September 23, 2023.