Layla reopened earlier this month under the direction of new chef-owner Jason Sparks. Located in The Grove at 4317 Manchester Ave., the restaurant is moving in a new direction. When Sauce reviewed Layla in December 2012, the restaurant focused on Lebanese cuisine. Sparks, formerly of the now-defunct Wapango, has broadened the concept to Middle Eastern fusion.
The menu, developed by Sparks in collaboration with local restaurant consultant Sam Taha and Sparks’ colleague Elizabeth Schuster of Tenacious Eats, showcases Lebanese and other Middle Eastern flavors in familiar foods. Among offerings are: a Beirut Burger that features seasoned beef, roasted lamb, Monterey Jack cheese and sumac onions; the Layla “Pitza,” topped with herbed goat cheese, sliced leg of lamb, dates, figs and roasted apples; and Gooey Butter Baklava. Layla’s new tagline is: “Pitza, shawarma and shakes.” House-made shakes will be a focus at the reinvented restaurant, though its bar also offers specialty craft cocktails inspired by Mediterranean ingredients, and local draft beer.
Former Layla customers will notice that even the space received a makeover and that belly dancers take to the floor nightly. The restaurant opens daily at 11 a.m. Its late-night lounge offers specials on appetizers, drinks and hookah on weekends.
This article appears in October 2013.