He may have been a professional at Porsche, but Jacob Harb is now within the driver's seat at Yara, his authentic Lebanese restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. Harb yearned to introduce his own form of friendly hospitality and upscale cuisine, so he went full-speed ahead and opened Yara, which serves up scrumptious dishes and attentive service.
Feeling fulfilled by his successful career in the automotive industry, this entrepreneur decided to attempt a new adventure and could foresee a food-inspired future. The restaurant is really a true passion project Jacob, who had been born in Lebanon prior to leaving during the Civil War and coming to the US. Lucrative brings the flavors and smells of his homeland alive each and every bite of baba ganoush. All the dishes around the menu are stuff that his mother and grandmother will make for him growing up, like the pumpkin kibbeh, that you simply won't find anywhere else.
“Food happens to be an interest of mine-I consider myself a foodie. That coupled with the chance to be considered a tastemaker was what led me in to the restaurant business. Lebanese cuisine in my experience is all about hospitality, vitality and community. All your meals are healthy, meant to be shared and flavorful; it's the ideal method to eat. I decided to launch having a Lebanese restaurant because I desired to share those wonderful traits with the world.”
Jacob might have put the menu together, but Michelin-recognized Chef Refeat Husseini may be the one out of your kitchen making from scratch, from the hummus, which includes a 3-day process, to the fresh salads, and much more. You can even enjoy Yara's expansive and eclectic menu regardless of dietary restrictions. Whether you are looking for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or keto-friendly items, they have something for everyone inside your party. With so many vegetarian dishes and mouthwatering meat items on the menu, the only real trouble you will have is picking which plate to please your palate.
With a recently-launched happy hour along with a three-course, pre-fixe lunch menu, you can enjoy Lebanese cuisine all day and all night. From beef shawarma to beet falafel, you will be falling in love with every bite. Jacob explained that he loves Mediterranean cuisine “because things are created using simple, clean ingredients. At Yara, we have 18 vegan dishes, which are authentically Lebanese.” Lunch, which is served daily, features kefta, labneh, fish and fattoush, and is offered by 11:30AM to 3:30PM prior to the restaurant reopens at 5:00PM for dinner service. Come across and sip on a specialty cocktail during Monday to Friday's happy hour, where one can unwind having a Moscow Mule or Tequila Honeysuckle.
The bi-level space is swanky and complicated, with décor that matches their deliciously decadent dishes. According to Jacob, “Yara's brand is about a proper vitality and bountiful hospitality which is purely Lebanese. The design embodies that-it is both chic and inviting.”
This Mediterranean-inspired mecca will transport you to definitely Lebanon-a dimly-lit version with posh surroundings and a truly craft cocktail experience with all juices, syrups and infusions prepared in-house daily. You are able to seem like a genuine foodie with their traditional and innovative spices, skewers and sautéed okra. Their grilled lamb chops will have you licking your chops, while the Mulukhia, a mallow stew with chicken and rice, will have the mouth area watering. Harb's mission-“to share the incredible food I had been raised on inside a wonderful environment”-comes to life in each and every aspect of Yara.
Jacob is happy with all of the dishes at his restaurant, which are made from scratch, but he admits that with regards to picking his favorite dish, he “has to start with the hummus! This is made inside a traditional batch method that is completed over three days delivering a uniquely frothy hummus. This is the hummus I knew growing up. Next, I would go with the baba ganoush. We grill fresh eggplants internally for that foundation; this provides a hearty and flavorful depth to the dish. Lastly, I'd highlight the kibbe. This is really a traditional Lebanese dish that I would describe as a croquette. At Yara, we offer beef and pumpkin kibbe. The pumpkin kibbe is vegan, and both of them are extremely tasty.”
Whether you need to get cozy by their fireplace, relax in the lounge having a carefully crafted cocktail, or just savor the smells and sights of the tasty and tastefully done space, Yara will be your favorite foodie destination.
319 E 53rd St.
New York, NY 10022
646.476.7592
yaranyc.com
