"Drawing influence from a land known for its convergence of cultures, La’ Shukran in Union Market is a confluence of bar, bistro, and back-alley neighborhood joint. Award-winning chef Michael Rafidi digs deep into his bag of Levantine tricks to produce a vibrant space tinged with nostalgia, disco, and pops of color. The beverage program showcases lots of Levantine wines and arak, a popular Middle Eastern distilled spirit with cooling notes of anise and licorice. The opening menu features “end-of-summer” melon with whipped tahini, spicy chilis, and smoked feta; a lamb tartare with shittah and seeded lavash bread; and smashed eggplant." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky