“My life is here, but my heart is in Greece, and I have created my island on this corner in NDG, where I have been since 1994,” says Maggie Barakaris, owner of Mouton Vert.
Mouton Vert opened in 2014, serving vegetarian and vegan Mediterranean take-out food. Everyone will be happy, vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike. There are many different casseroles generously layered with individually roasted vegetables, falafels, savoury pastries made with local organic vegetables, and baked goods to go, paired with their wickedly tasty espressos. The olive oil and the herbs used in the dishes are all imported from Maggie’s family farm in Kalamata, Greece. The stupendously refreshing cold-brewed tea is made from herbs cultivated the ancient way; by a biodynamic farmer named Christo who picks them in the mountains near the Barakaris farm in Greece.
The kitchen staff is all women, many are mothers, and the Chef, Sumaya McCallum, lives down the street. Maggie emphasizes that the cooks are not in the kitchen as a competition, but to nourish: “We’re feeders, that’s what we do.”
Sumaya may look like Maggie’s sister, and it could be because their energies and vision are so in sync. “I’ll be dreaming of cabbage soup and Sumaya shows up with cabbage she just bought from the market,” says Maggie.
Greek and Mediterranean cuisine is the star of the show at Mouton Vert. This includes freshly prepared vegetarian and vegan dishes (cabbage rolls, salads, stuffed peppers, baklava, etc.) as well as a corner grocery store.