Youssef Akhtarini brought his family, as refugees, to Providence, escaping Syrian civil war and looking for work. Ultimately, he wanted to recreate the bakery he had back home, offering thz gifts of his Syrian homeland. He started baking in a local pizza store during off-hours, and now has his own space, Aleppo Sweets, which is filled with the sweet scent of baklava (there are eight crispy varieties) as well as traditional dishes from the Middle East. Sweet stuffed dates, mezze platters and fatayer (Syrian wraps filled with herbs, cheese or lamb) speak to just how valuable life experience is when we sit together at the table.