American diners have very little chill right now. Not literally (New Yorkers are eating fro-yo when it's 10 degrees) -but psychologically. We've never encountered so many people lining up across the country to try the new "neighborhood spot." Pastry cases are being cleared, pop-ups are extending into "residencies," and the good people of Los Angeles are swarming the sidewalk to eat...British food (?). Come, gather round, we'll tell you what we've seen.
The Hebrew name Or'esh is focused on light and fire: The menu consists of minimalist dishes with flavors imparted by the custom grill that allows both wood- and coal-fired cooking. Greenberg's approach draws from Mediterranean traditions across Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Israel, Jordan, and Syria. Greenberg says he plans to cook almost exclusively with extra-virgin olive oils he personally sources from the region.
Maydan Market, a new culinary compound in Los Angeles's West Adams neighborhood, has proved itself worth the 6-year wait. D.C. restaurateur Rose Previte's food hall and market feels like an Avengers lineup of the city's best operators, with stalls from already-iconic Los Angeles restaurants such as Holy Basil (which introduced Yhing Yhang, a Thai barbecue counter); Poncho's Tlayudas (running Lugya'h, a crowd-drawing tlayuda joint); and Tamales Elena (whose Maléna slings tamales, weekend barbacoa, fried fish tacos, and more).
Ryan and restaurant owner Mohamad Al-Zein weren't ready to share every detail, but here's what we do know about Moona 2.0. The concept will be different from day to night. It starts as a cafe, serving breakfast, pastries, and coffee beverages. But by night, it transforms into a convivial dining room with a Levantine-inspired menu that marries staple pantry items from the Levant with New England seasonality.