There's a prominent Fatburger anchoring the otherwise nondescript North Hollywood strip mall where Hayat's Kitchen is nestled. But you need not go there when you can go to Hayat's, which features homey, soulful cooking of the type you would get from your actual or spiritual Lebanese grandmother. The light garlic sauce does wonders for every dish on the menu, but it's especially great with the french fries. As for the hummus with meat, it's even better than it sounds: Topped with chunks of beef and toasted pine nuts, it's so good that, once you've scooped some up with pita bread, you'll never think about seven-layer dip again. Between those dishes and the falafels and skewers of shish tawook, you will almost certainly order too much. Pack up everything to go and you'll likely be handed an entire bag of pita bread to take with you — exactly as your grandmother might do. 11009 Burbank Blvd., #117, N. Hlywd.; (818) 761-4656, hayatskitchen.com. Daily, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Entrees $10.95-$15.95. No alcohol.

 

Besha Rodell's Introduction

Anne Fishbein's Photography

The Google Map

 

The 99 Essential Restaurants List:

A-Frame
Alma
Angelini Osteria
Animal
Attari Sandwich Shop
Bäco Mercat
Bar Amá
The Bazaar
Bestia
BierBeisl
Bludso's
Cacao Mexicatessen
Canelé
La Casita Mexicana
Cemitas Poblanas Elviritas
Chichen Itza
Chung King
Cole's
Coni'Seafood
Cube Cafe & Marketplace
Din Tai Fung
Eva
Father's Office
Fred 62
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Go's Mart
Il Grano
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Hatfield's
Ha Tien Quan
Hawkins House of Burgers
Hayat's Kitchen
El Huarache Azteca
Huckleberry
The Hungry Cat
ink.
Jar
Jitlada
JTYH Heavy Noodle II
Kang Ho Dong Baekjong
Kiriko
Kiyokawa
Kogi Truck
Krua Siri
L&E Oyster Bar
Langer's
Little Dom's
Lucques
Ludo Truck
Lukshon
Mariscos Jalisco
Matsuhisa
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Milo and Olive
Mo-Chica
Musso & Frank
Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa
Nickel Diner
Night + Market
Oinkster
Osteria Mozza
Pann's
Pa-Ord Noodle
El Parian
Park's BBQ
Philippe the Original
Picca
Pink's
Pizzeria Mozza
Playa
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
R&R Soul Food
Ración
Red Medicine
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Rivera
Rocio's Moles de los Dioses
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Savoy Kitchen
Sea Harbour
Shanghai No. 1 Village Seafood
Soban
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
The Spice Table
Superba Snack Bar
Tacos Leo
The Tasting Kitchen
Tavern
Tsujita LA
Vincenti Ristorante
Wurstküche
Zam Zam Market

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