Named after the couple’s daughter, Saffy’s is a homestyle Middle Eastern restaurant that’s casual in attitude, but thoughtful and precise in execution.
Naming after people is always a bit of a risk — what if that person turns out to be ajerk , or sting acity to the ground ? And if Saffron , girl of Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis and namesake of the couple ’s new eating place , Saffy ’s , settle next week that she ’s vegetarian , does their giant Ellen Price Wood - fired shawarma get the boot ?
Because it ’s that whirl cone of meat that is at the heart of Saffy ’s , Menashe and Gergis ’ new elevated kabob shop in East Hollywood . The bill of fare is work up on homestyle Middle Eastern cooking , a more agrestic and casual version of what the distich have been doing at their splendid Arts District restaurantBavel , though the composition of dish antenna ( and their price ) are still a stair or three above norm .
The porta fare at Saffy ’s starts with a selection of veggie like a band of humous top with ferment serrano chili pepper and the fava bean fret ful , Zucchini Blossoms stuffed with whipped feta then batter and fried and served with tomato dip and zhoug , and a especially adorable plateful of falafel ; each one is beautifully acquaint , swirling and smeared , topped with a generous fistful of fresh herb . The kabob selection cover pork barrel , lamb , chicken , or a mix thereof , cooked over wood coal and dramatically served on their wide-eyed , flat skewers .
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
The shawarma , though , is the absolute showstopper , construct on a saliva that twirl in front of three disjoined tiers of Sir Henry Joseph Wood - burning fire , a uncommon innovation in LA that looks more like one of the flowery Turkish done - style spits than what we ordinarily see around here . It is a powerful , if perhaps labour - intensive , room to impart that woody , real fire flavor into the lamb and beef intermix that the more vulgar accelerator - powered shawarma spit do n’t arrive at .
There are two other crucial pieces that carry over from Menashe and Gergis ’ other projects — Gergis ’ antic desserts , and their in truth spectacular Levantine moolah . Thick and fluffy challah descend with the hummus , toasted flatbread with the mussel , and luxurious fresh laffa with the shawarma and shish kebab .
vivacious and refreshing are the buzzword for the cocktail list , an emphasis on shining and swooning drinks to pair with the punchy and sheer cuisine . That means a Paloma Spritz with mezcal ; Cherry Limeade with tequila ; and a mezcal , passionfruit , carrot , and habanero sour . Naturally , there will also be a selection of wines sourced mostly from the Mediterranean island and coastline , focus on small producers and responsible agrarian processes . Sitting at the bar with a cocktail or a frosty glass of wine may be the best speckle in the house , as the 16 - seat taproom will frame the kitchen so you’re able to watch over the chef cut up shawarma and sprinkle herbs , with a soundtrack of sizzle fatness over flame .
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
The design aesthetic of the space is inspired by 1960s and ‘ seventy Morocco , pale pink with gold accents , khaki booths the people of colour of Sahara sand , tilework in shades of honey and red like the bulwark of Marrakech . All of that is layered over classic Hollywood mode , in an old art art deco building on Fountain just across fromSquare One , Found Oyster , and Scientology HQ . It may take cues from half - century old fashion , but one look around will show that this is as au courant as it gets .
It may be a bit of a risk to name thing after people , but it is no risk at all to bet that a Menashe and Gergis venture will be a bang-up success .
Saffy ’s is undefendable now for dinner from 5–11 pm Wednesday – Sunday , with a more casual sandwich and wrapping - focused dejeuner service come shortly . Saffy ’s Coffee & Tea shop will also eventually open next door , with a selection of long suit coffee and house - made pastry dough . Reservations can be made throughOpenTable .
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
Photo by Joseph Weaver, courtesy of Saffy’s
