Romeo Esho is at it again, combining culinary and visual arts for what he expects to be his next “viral” and trendy business in Turlock.

Esho is planning to have a grand opening on Thursday for Zalata Kitchen, a place he describes as an "aesthetic Mediterranean kitchen” that will specialize in salads, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, cold-pressed juices, matcha, protein shakes, cold brews and more.

Fittingly, Zalata means “salad” in the Assyrian language.

It’s a healthy twist to Esho’s business portfolio which already includes the Xhale Ultra Hookah Lounge in downtown, the founding of the original Cafe Rome location in 2016 and the opening of space-themed Corn’d Korean Corndogs in 2024.

Zalata Kitchen is located at 2679 Geer Road within University Plaza, in the business space directly to the right of Corn’d that Esho used for storage for more than a year. Esho explained that while operating Corn’d, he had heard customers longing for healthier food options in the city.

“A lot of businesses opening up are fast food chains, and I learned that there is very much a desire to have healthier restaurants,” Esho said. “And the Mediterranean diet (emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds) is hot right now. The location is also really great, because you can indulge in your comfort food at Corn’d while you or others also have the healthier option right next door. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Everything at Zalata is made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients, including the produce. The dressings are batched fresh daily without preservatives or unnecessary additives. The meats are antibiotic-free and many are prepared using “sous vide” methods. Even each water source within the building has its own dedicated filtration system. 

The technology implemented throughout the building was also a point of pride for Esho. Zalata is fully cashless, emphasizing cleanliness. Customers can order on kiosks, on zalatakitchen.com and on their personal mobile devices through the Zalata application that took nearly three months for Esho to develop. On the ordering platforms, you can customize every order down to almost every ingredient.

“We wanted to bring our community something thoughtful — made with mostly organic, fresh ingredients rather than preservatives or unnecessary additives, crafted with intention, and served in a space where art and nourishment meet,” Esho said. “That meant honoring every detail.”

The interior design included.

Interior design is a subject Esho is incredibly passionate about, as seen in his previous business ventures. For Zalata, Esho did all the work himself. First, he spent six months drawing his ideas. The last six months were spent completing the extensive hands-on renovation.

The Journal received an exclusive tour of Zalata Kitchen, where Esho’s affinity for Greek architecture was evident everywhere, such as the recessed wall shelves featuring his favorite schemes of sage green and sand colors. The space is furnished with stone tables and chairs, all of which were imported from London. On the walls are original paintings from Europe, made with limewash — without chemicals and with the ability to change colors over time and based on lighting. Succulents, cactus and accents of yellow grass and rock are also found throughout.

When guests first walk into the space, they are met with a raised ceiling that Esho took advantage of by curating a high-chair seating area complimented with a neon sign reading “the pretty edit,” a phrase he uses to describe someone choosing to do what makes themselves feel good, cared for and more like themselves. “It means not changing who you are — just editing your habits, your energy and what you pour into your body.”

“This was my canvas,” Esho said. “I have such a passion for art, and I wanted to express it in the food and in the atmosphere here. There were countless 11- to 15-hour days spent drafting, designing and refining every detail, from the walls and paint tones.”

Esho has kept much of the interior design under wraps over the last few weeks. It’s intentional, encouraging individuals to take in the aesthetic for themselves once the grand opening rolls around Thursday. Until then, subtle details will continue to be sprinkled on social media channels like Facebook and Instagram at @ZalataKitchen. 

“This really was a personal challenge for me, and it came out amazing,” Esho said. “I can’t wait for the community to experience this.”

Zalata Kitchen’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.