Miraan is the owner of BLunch: ‘With this restaurant I have made my dream come true’

A baked potato, extensive breakfast or traditional gözleme with fresh filo pastry: at BLunch In Stadshart Zoetermeer you will find it all and more. This cozy restaurant, which owes its name to a combination of breakfast and lunch, is a regular spot for Zoetermeer residents who want to have a bite to eat while shopping or have their lunch delivered to their home. “We see the same people coming back again and again.”

Even when he was still giving driving lessons, Miraan already dreamed of having his own restaurant. He therefore had part-time jobs in the catering industry for years, from kitchen to service. Miraan wanted to gain as much experience as possible so that he could one day start his own restaurant. That worked! In 2019 he opened the popular BLunch in the Westslagenpassage Stadshart.

A bit of Turkish, Greek and Lebanese

BLunch has an open kitchen, so guests can see their food being prepared. People find that important, according to Miraan. “You want to know what you’re eating.” The dishes on the menu are diverse and the recipes mainly come from Turkey, Greece and Lebanon, but not all. “The baked potato that BLunch is known for is, according to many people, traditionally Turkish. You can also eat it on every street corner,” says Miraan. “But did you know that it originates from the Balkans?” Learned something again.

As fresh as possible

In addition to the diversity of dishes, Miraan finds it especially important that his menu is as fresh as possible. For example, fresh filo pastry is used for Turkish gözleme. “Fortunately, what we do also appeals to Zoetermeren residents,” he says. “I recently spoke to a delivery person who delivers our meals to our homes. He said, ‘you know what’s different with you than delivering for other restaurants? At BLunch I see the same customers every week.’ I think that is a wonderful compliment.”

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Photo: Nikita Brantsen – Stadshart Zoetermeer

A popular place in the city center

Miraan had been thinking about starting a restaurant for a while and really wanted to do so in the City Center. “I had already indicated a number of years before that I would like to know if a building became available.” His wish came true in 2019: “Then I really went for it. BLunch is not a concept for a quiet residential area. I like that it is nice and busy here and that a very diverse audience passes by.”

Another branch (or two)

Sometimes guests ask him where other BLunch branches can be found. “Apparently it feels like a national concept, a franchise formula. That’s how I set it up once, because secretly that dream is there.” The fact that people talk to him about this only gives Miraan the feeling that he wants to expand. “Who knows, there may soon be two, three or even ten BLunch branches.”

City center Zoetermeer

In City center Zoetermeer there is a lot of choice of shops. Whether you are looking for a new television, beautiful clothes or an original gift: you have come to the right place in Stadshart Zoetermeer.

The range of shops varies from small specialty stores to large department stores, such as Mediamarkt, Albert Heijn XL, TK Maxx, JD Sports, Douglas, Rituals, H&M, Mango, Just Brands, Foot Locker, Albert Nolten, Primark and the Douwe Egberts Café. Stadshart Zoetermeer also offers a wide choice of various dining and entertainment options. Have you worked up an appetite from shopping? Or would you like to take a break with a drink? You will find a place to settle down in the City Heart!

This article is sponsored by Retailers Association Promotion Stadshart Zoetermeer.

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