Exploring LA’s Boundless Love for Middle Eastern Food

LA loves Middle Eastern food

What’s up with the suddenly-bustling former Purgatory Pizza in Silver Lake? The corner has been wrapped and under construction for a few weeks now, though there’s no signage or anything up yet. Rumor has it an Israeli-leaning restaurant is coming in, but that’s just hearsay at the moment.

If true, the arrival of yet another modern Middle Eastern-leaning restaurant in Los Angeles would certainly raise eyebrows. After all, the city is currently rife with options in the same genre, from sunny Kismet in Los Feliz to Jessica Koslow’s pan-Jewish restaurant landing on the Westside. That’s to say nothing of the many existing restaurants in Glendale, along Pico, and in the Valley. Basically: this city is always ready for more all-around Middle Eastern flavors, so if the below corner spot does fall into that genre, it’ll be in welcome company.

Yeastie Boys go for hip hop dominance

The streetwise Yeastie Boys truck is known for their less-than-PC signage and powerful bagel sandwiches, but they’re also gaining a cult following in hip hop circles lately — particularly after throwing a party with rapper YG. LA Weekly’s resident rap guru Jeff Weiss investigates the phenomenon of the well-known truck.

A cool new craft beer party

The always-busy LA Brewers Guild is getting deep into the festival business (they also run LA Beer Week), launching the LA Beer & Food fest on January 28. The party goes down at Mack Sennett Studios in Silver Lake and will feature 90 different beers, food from restaurants around town, and a slew of panels. Tickets are $60 general admission, $75 VIP.

The deal with Bar 1886

LA Weekly offers an inside look at everything you need to know when it comes to Bar 1886, the Pasadena cocktail lounge at The Raymond. It’s got a speakeasy vibe and retro flair, and offers some of the best drinks you’ll find in the area.

Go mad for pambazos

The popular Mad Pambazos truck earns a look from the LA Times, due in no small part to their awesome (and not often seen) fully-clocked Mexican sandwiches. Dipped in salsa and served by a trio of New York City restaurant expats, the Mad Max-inspired rig is certainly something to behold (and taste for yourself).

It’s open tasting season in Torrance

Torrance’s very own Craft Beer Cellar is now doing more than just selling you bottles of the good local stuff: they’re also pouring it. Per a release, the company is now fully lined up to offer a variety of weekly in-store tastings, with upcoming options like Figueroa Mountain Brewing (1/13), Strand Brewing (1/14), and Founders Brewing (1/27).

A very big first step

Adam Perry Lang’s upcoming Hollywood restaurant is churning along slowly, with a first inside look of any sort coming via the barbecue whisperer’s own Instagram account. The place doesn’t look like much right now, but if APL’s dreams come true, it’ll soon enough be one of the hardest seats to get in town.