Bavel

Bavel is a modern Middle Eastern restaurant on Mateo Street in the Arts District of Los Angeles, California, from the chefs and owners behind Bestia, Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. It opened in 2018 in a converted warehouse and quickly became one of the most sought-after reservations in the city. The kitchen draws on the cuisines of the eastern Mediterranean and the Levant, with a wood-fired oven and grill at the centre of the cooking and a strong emphasis on shared plates. Hummus is served with laffa, a warm flatbread baked in the oven, and the lamb neck shawarma, a slow-cooked pull-apart dish served with flatbread and accompaniments, is a central order. Other dishes include grilled vegetables, shakshuka-style preparations, kebabs, charred fish and a selection of dips and salads, and the menu is designed to be shared across the table. Dessert is a highlight, with the malabi, a milk pudding with rose and other toppings, and other pastries from the pastry programme. The beverage programme includes cocktails inspired by Middle Eastern flavours, as well as wines and arak. The dining room is dramatic, with high ceilings, a garden-like patio, greenery and a lively bar, and the atmosphere is energetic, stylish and loud, with a crowd that includes couples, groups and celebrations. Dress is smart casual. Reservations are advised through the website and are often booked weeks ahead, particularly for weekends; a limited number of seats at the bar and on the patio are held for walk-ins. Prices are high-moderate, with a full meal typically costing about 55 to 90 US dollars per person. The restaurant is close to Bestia and the other dining and gallery venues of the Arts District, and parking is available through valet and nearby lots.