NYC Restaurants

Former Porsche executive Jacob Harb is putting the pedal to the metal with yara, a chic bi-level restaurant and cocktail lounge celebrating the foods of Lebanon. Yara boasts three working fireplaces, a lounge with suede seating and a selection of craft cocktails. The restaurant features pops of teal and solid white-ash tabletops, while the kitchen is focusing on local and organic ingredients. The food is meant to reflect a healthy Mediterranean lifestyle with authentic Hummus, made-to-order Tabouli salad and Vegan Kibbe made with pumpkin and stuffed with spinach and walnuts. Larger plates include a Mixed Grill of chicken skewers, ribeye and kefta, Lamb with sautéed okra, and a grilled Fish of the Day. Cocktails come with names like Easy Street (Fresh Cucumber and Lemon, Tito’s Vodka, St Germain, topped with Soda) and Fragaria (Fresh Strawberries and Lime, Flor da Cana Rum, topped with Prosecco). Yara says the space embodies the vitality and energy of Beirut.