Kismet

While the Israeli trend is already feeding hungry souls in New York City, Philadelphia and New Orleans (with Zahav, Dizengoff, Shaya…), Los Angeles is ready to compete: Bestia’s Ori Menashe promises to open an Israeli restaurant in the Arts District, Sqirl’s Jessica Koslow is polishing her Ashkenazi recipes for her upcoming Brentwood spot — and now Kismet. Brooklynites Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson have teamed up with another famous duet, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal, Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s, Petit Trois). Open all day and all week, and in the kitchen the two ladies prepare some astonishing Middle-Easternish small plates: Persian cucumbers with citrus and labneh, the omnipresent shakshuka, freekeh polenta, green kuku… The bill can escalate quite quickly, so focus on Meadow Ramsey’s (Sqirl) pastries if you’re on a tight budget. The rabbit-for-two ($80) is getting a lot of attention, as an homage to Glasserie’s signature dish, where Sarah and Sara were working in Brooklyn. Pair it with a rosewater Spritz or a biodynamic bottle from their excellent wine list — provided you have a well-filled bank account.