The Citiblog
From the Owner of La Bonne Soupe Comes Huda In East Williamsburg
November 9, 2023, 8:31.05 pm ET
Photos: Huda
Huda, in East Williamsburg [312 Leonard St, Brooklyn, NY], is inspired by owner and restaurateur Gehad Hadidi’s Syrian-American heritage, and his grandmother’s home cooking.
Executive Chef Anjuman Hossain (formerly of Le Crocodile, Death & Co., and Del Posto) offers dinner and late night menus that marry Hadidi’s family recipes with her experiences in acclaimed kitchens across New York City, while Beverage Director Yaz Saloom (The Beatrice Inn and The Nines) has created a cocktail menu to match.
Huda, who grew up in Detroit, spent his summers with his grandmother in Syria drawing inspiration from the rich traditions, quality ingredients and the craft of Levantine cuisine, with influences from Syria, Lebanon, and beyond.
Visitors will find dishes meant for sharing like Kodra Baladi, marinated seasonal squash with sour cherries and barley tabbouleh; Smashed Cucumbers with smoked labneh and chamomile; Carrot Salad with toasted sunflower seeds, raisins, and honey-sumac vinaigrette; and Charred Eggplant with black garlic toum, tahini, and herbs.
Mains include Kibbe Naya, with harissa, served with toasted markouk; Grilled Calamari, with hummus and a broken olive-vinaigrette; Chicken Over Turmeric Rice with braised cabbage; Branzino Harra, baked in muhammara; and housemade pastas such as Shish Barak, Lebanese beef tortellini with yogurt and pine nuts; and Macaron Bil Toum, Levantine-style gnudi in a garlic sauce.
Desserts round out the menu, including a Ghrayabeh Tart, a tart with a Yemeni-coffee infused chocolate ganache filling and a shortbread cookie shell, Poached Quince, and Booza, stretchy orange blossom ice cream with pistachio butter.
Signature cocktails include Dou Dou Shots, Beirut’s beloved shot of vodka, lemon, and harissa, garnished with an olive; Bunny Be Good, with mezcal, ginger, carrot cordial, lemon, and sumac salt; Italian in Beirut, with Campari, Aperol, cardamom syrup, and grapefruit; and the Pacha Highball, with bourbon, clove, cardamom-infused sweet vermouth, lemon, and soda..
Huda also serves a late night menu exclusively at the bar, with bites like Cheap Dates with cardamom, cinnamon, and paprika, Roasted Pistachios, Marinated Olives, Za’atar, and Hummus.
Natural materials and rich tones make for a warm space with cream colored walls and green-cushioned banquettes. The main dining room houses an 11-seat bar while a 28-seat private dining room is available for celebratory gatherings.
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