Crisp french fries drizzled with olive oil topped with roasted garlic, fresh cilantro and spicy red chili pepper flakes served with a strong Garlic Sauce…..
Yes, such a dish does exist and it is called Potato Harra and is served at Hayat’s Kitchen, a Halal Lebanese restaurant, tucked away in the back corner of a strip mall in the North Hollywood area.
A friend of mine introduced me to this place almost a decade ago, and to this date, I cannot have enough of it.
When I found out that Hayat’s Kitchen added a second location, I knew I had a do a review about one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Southern California.
If you want an open-floor and modern ambiance checkout the Cahuenga Blvd. location but if you are like me and crave a traditional Middle Eastern feel with an outdoor patio, then head over to the original Burbank location. The new location, however, promises a bigger selection of baked goods and ice cream.
Let me walk you through a typical visit to this restaurant.
A bowl of pickled beets, cucumbers, and fresh olives greet you as soon as you are seated which is a perfect start to a traditional Lebanese delight.
You can choose from a variety of cold/hot Mezza (appetizer) each of which is a star on its own.
The two most loved appetizers after the Potato Harra are, the Hummus and Meat topped with pine nuts doused in olive oil and Kibbeh (ground meat with bulgar wheat) or Kibbeh Nayah, a raw meat dish also known as Lebanese Steak Tartare.
If the appetizers fill you up, opt for a sandwich…..Chicken Shawerma anyone?
If the sandwich is not enough, enjoy a traditional entree (which I highly suggest)
All the entrees come with salad, garlic sauce, hummus, and pita. There is a choice between rice and fries. Make sure to try the Yogurt Drink (Doogh).
You can choose between Beef Entrees…..
Lamb Chops…..
Chicken or Fish….
Cannot decide? Try the mixed grill plate…..
Or if you are vegetarian….try the Falafel Plate.
The entrees come with free cigar shaped Baklava pastry, with layers of filo filled with chopped walnuts, cashews and pistachios smothered with sweetened with syrup.
And if that is not sweet enough, do try Kunafeh, a traditional dessert made with shredded filo dough, melted cheese doused in sweet syrup. Try it with strong Lebanese Coffee to balance the sweetness.
If you are in the Los Angeles area or are planning a trip soon, do include a trip to Hayat’s Kitchen in your itinerary. Your palate will thank you forever.
