Arab Cart Alley Mezza Is Closed, but Its Chef’s Mission Remains Vital | Eater Portland

"A brick-and-mortar cocktail bar that shares a lot and courtyard with Alley Mezza off Division, Someday posted a picture of a labneh dish on Instagram in late October that triggered public criticism from Alley Mezza's owner for creating competition with an Arab neighbor; Alley Mezza asserts Someday had previously served hummus and muhammara at private events. Someday owners Jessica Baesler and Graham Files responded to Eater saying the labneh post was tied to the Someday chef's lineage and that "the courtyard is an ecosystem; we have never viewed our neighbors as competition," later issuing a now-deleted Instagram apology acknowledging hurt and saying they were actively learning from the community while also contesting that they alone were responsible for Alley Mezza's closure and noting attempts to engage directly with Khaled." - Waz Wu