Summary
Bavel is a Middle Eastern[1] restaurant in the Arts District neighborhood of Los Angeles. The restaurant defines itself as Middle Eastern, showcasing the cuisines of Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt,[1] though some critics characterize it as Israeli.[2][3] It received positive reviews from Jonathan Gold and Bon Appétit, and the Los Angeles Times named it 2019 Restaurant of the Year.[4]
| Bavel | |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2018 |
| Owner(s) | Ori Menashe & Genevieve Gergis |
| Head chef | Ori Menashe |
| Chef | Ori Menashe (chef de cuisine), Genevieve Gergis |
| Food type | Middle Eastern |
| Street address | 500 Matteo St |
| City | Arts District, Los Angeles |
| State | California |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 34°02′29″N 118°13′59″W / 34.041487°N 118.232933°W |
| Reservations | recommended |
| Website | baveldtla |
Bavel was founded by the Israeli-American chef Ori Menashe and his American wife, chef Genevieve Gergis, who are also the founders and owners of the Italian restaurant Bestia in Downtown LA.[3]
Etymology edit
The name Bavel is the Modern Hebrew pronunciation of the biblical Babel. For the restaurateurs, it evokes "a time when the Middle East was one" because "Bavel is not specific to any one region."[5]
Menu edit
Bavel is particularly well known for its hummus and malawach.[6]
Reception edit
Bavel has enjoyed a positive reception from restaurant critics both in Los Angeles and nationally, including the Los Angeles Times, Bon Appetit, Eater, Food & Wine, Los Angeles,[6] and others. It has also been featured in The New York Times several times,[7][8] The Boston Globe,[2] and The Jerusalem Post,[4] among others.
Honors edit
Bavel was nominated for a James Beard Award for best new restaurant in the United States in 2019.[9] Bavel was named the best restaurant of the year by the Los Angeles Times.[4] It is listed in the 2019 California Michelin Guide with no stars.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b "The restaurant defines itself as Middle Eastern, combining the co-owners’ family roots of “Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt.”", "It’s a restaurant that wonderfully encapsulates the all-things-Middle-Eastern movement" "'LATIMES' NAMES ISRAELI RESTAURANT BEST OF 2019". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Restaurants across the country are serving interpretations of Israeli cuisine. Simcha is part of that conversation". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ a b "The Best Jewish Food In Los Angeles". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ a b c "Bavel Is Our 2019 Restaurant Of The Year". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- ^ "The Story of Bavel", on the restaurant's Web site
- ^ a b "Bavel Chef Ori Menashe Let Us Hang Out While He Made His Famous Hummus". Los Angeles Magazine. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "What Sydney Can Learn From Los Angeles About Dining". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
- ^ "The Bavel and Bestia Chefs on Feasting After The Yom Kippur Fast". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- ^ "James Beard Award Semifinalists". The James Beard Foundation. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- ^ "Bavel", Michelin Guide