Laya Restaurant
Restaurant · Hollywood ·
Middle Eastern & Cal influences with mezze, skewers & French toast
Middle Eastern & Cal influences with mezze, skewers & French toast
"A daytime brunch program recently launched by chef Charbel Hayek that leans into Lebanese roots: the first course features falafel, seared halloumi, crudité, olives with feta, and labneh that his mother actually makes in the kitchen. The French toast is singled out as a dessert-to-share that “elevates custard to new heights” with an impossibly soft yet firm consistency, made with brioche, brown butter, fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and layers of salted caramel throughout; it’s described as beyond rich and beautiful to look at. The dish pairs well with cardamom-spiced Lebanese coffee poured tableside, and the entire daytime experience on the restaurant’s gorgeous patio is recommended for an enjoyable morning or afternoon. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest" - Eater Staff
"Laya’s $68 three-course brunch menu is designed to dazzle. Chef Charbel Hayek’s Hollywood spot is made for daytime dining with its expansive outdoor space with muted tones, custom-built-in banquettes, a fire pit, and two bars. Diners will be serenaded by a DJ while sharing a mezze platter as the first course with beetroot hummus, seared haloumi, falafel, crudites, and more. Choose from shakshuka, chicken shawarma, eggs Benedict, a wagyu burger, or salted caramel brioche french toast. The Bloody Mary is prepared tableside with Lebanese Redhead Hot Sauce, celery-infused vodka, and a heaping skewer of shrimp, bacon, basturma cured meat, labneh stuffed olives, and a labneh stuffed jalapeño with sumac and Aleppo pepper." - Mona Holmes
"Sorry to Hollywood’s many rooftops, but the hottest outdoor space in town can be found ground-level at snazzy Middle Eastern spot Laya. This massive patio on Cahuenga was a string of messy club concepts for years, but now has matured into a proper restaurant with an enormous patio, complete with fire pits, fig trees, and spacious curvy banquettes. A towering white wall in the back makes the place look like a studio backlot, while illuminated stone archways give the effect of a courtyard in a grand Mediterranean estate. The menu of dips and skewers holds its own, too. Prioritize appetizers like a za’atar and goat spread with pita and roasted sweet potatoes drizzled with avocado green goddess." - brant cox, arden shore, sylvio martins, cathy park
"If fig trees, string lights, and copious amounts of mezze are your holy trinity for glitzy birthday dinners, head immediately to Laya. This snazzy Middle Eastern restaurant in Hollywood from the Ladyhawk chef is essentially one giant patio with fire pits, an outdoor bar, and spacious banquettes designed for groups. There’s a towering white wall in the back that makes the place look like a studio lot. If you’re looking to feed a full table, prioritize appetizers like like a za’atar and goat spread with pita and roasted sweet potatoes drizzled with avocado green goddess, plus a few of the grilled skewers." - brant cox
"A clubby Lebanese restaurant featuring a variety of Lebanese dishes including mezze." - Matthew Kang