Catering to its environmentally and health-conscious customers, West East All Natural Bistro and Bar in Hicksville has taken the step to eliminate soda off its menu.
According to owner and health coach Raquel Jadeja, soda is not something that the individuals who frequent West East Bistro look for in a meal. “We did look at sales and see what we sell in soda on a weekly basis and it was so negligible,” she explained. “It’s just not something our clientele looks for.”
A year and a half ago, the restaurant was taken over and transformed by Hicksville residents Jay and Raquel Jadeja. West East Bistro is an Asian fusion restaurant that specializes in all-natural, organic foods.
When chef Jay Jadeja opened West East Bistro, he decided that he could not possibly serve food to his guests that he would not feel comfortable serving to his two children, Jonah, 5, and Julian, 14 months.
Over time, the restaurant has become more and more health conscious. The restaurant first implemented pasture-raised meat, hormone antibiotic free poultry and sustainably sourced fish in January 2013. A few months later, West East Bistro then decided to only serve organic produce. The restaurant also serves only pasture-raised eggs and grass-fed butter.
“Now we’ve taken a stance and said we’re not going to serve soda any longer,” said Raquel Jadeja.
For every person that complained to West East Bistro about banning soda, there have been five others congratulating the restaurant on its decision, according to Raquel Jadeja. “I think the negativity has been more in the mainstream, but that’s not our clientele.”
Regular customers Linda and Sheldon Meltzner from Massapequa are health conscious individuals who support West East Bistro’s decision of eliminating soda. The couple feels that more of their friends will now come to the restaurant because of this reason.
“When you’re eating food that’s this good, soda doesn’t do anything for it,” said Linda Meltzner. “I think it’s great and all my friends do too.”
“I can’t imagine not coming here because they don’t serve soda,” she added. “That’s really silly.”
Sheetal Talati, of East Meadow, the owner of Rajbhog Café in Hicksville, does not drink soda herself due to health reasons. However, she does not think banning soda would be good for business, and would not think of banning soda at her café.
“I think it’s a good idea health wise, but business wise, I don’t think it’s a good move,” said Talati.
West East Bistro plans to continue to implement new health standards beyond the soda ban. The next step for the restaurant will be to eliminate soy sauce from the menu and replace it with organic tamari.
“This latest decision was not so much to impose anything on anyone, but more to be in line with what we’re already doing and what our clientele is already seeking,” said Raquel Jadeja.
