One of the Best Pita Sandwich Shops in the World Is Opening in Los Angeles | Eater LA
"Chef Eyal Shani will debut his Tel Aviv–based Mediterranean street-food chain as a 27th outpost at Grand Central Market toward the end of April, marking the chain’s first California location and taking over the nicely sized Sari Sari space that closed in December 2023. The roster of global locations already includes New York’s Chelsea Market, Dallas, Las Vegas, Toronto, Paris, Singapore, London, and beyond. The new vendor will showcase the chain’s signature pitas stuffed with inventive fillings like charred cauliflower swathed in tahini and crushed tomato; a Bolognese-style sauce; a folded cheeseburger; scallion-roasted chicken liver; and even a dessert pita filled with chocolate and bananas, and—in addition to a frequently evolving base menu—Los Angeles will get its own pita built with regional ingredients and flavors. The Los Angeles expansion is part of a partnership between Shani’s Good People Group and Giancarlo Pagani of Pagani Projects (managing partner of Mother Wolf Group). Shani’s career began in 1989 with his renowned fine-dining Jerusalem restaurant Ocean, and he opened his first outpost in Tel Aviv in 2011. Grand Central Market recently underwent vendor changes (Ghost Sando Shop and For the Win moved in during 2023), Villas Tacos opened in April 2024 in the former Belcampo Meat stall, and as a hub for many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants, Los Angeles will soon be able to see how these pitas compare to established local pita experts like Bavel or Ladyhawk. The restaurant’s name translates to “canteen” or “cafeteria” in Hebrew." - Mona Holmes
