Michele StuevenMaydan Market, Chef Rose Previte’s ambitious project, has opened in West Adams, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse combining a diverse mix of culinary concepts. The marketplace is anchored by Previte’s namesake Washington, DC restaurant, alongside six food businesses from across LA, celebrating a variety of cuisines.
Vendors that surround a huge communal live-fire hearth include Rose’s Middle Eastern restaurant and bar from DC, Maydan, Compass Rose, Yhing Yhang BBQ, from Chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat of Holy Basil, Lugya’h by James Beard Award-nominated Poncho’s Tlayudas, which originated as a pop-up in South Los Angeles, and Maléna, a new concept by the team behind Tamales Elena.
Maydan Market (Ashley Randall)
Two grand Moroccan-style entrance doors lead into the cathedral-like space that features two murals, one of which is inspired by the interiors of Georgian Winery Chateau Mukhrani, and another Oaxacan-inspired mural from local LA artist Ernesto Yerena. Green foliage hangs from the vaulted ceiling, draping down to Maydan’s bar, and thousands of tiles punctuate each space, including the bathrooms. Suspended light fixtures are dispersed throughout the market. There are throws, lights, rugs, and other items from Middle Eastern thrift shops and furniture stores, including the Burbank-based Moroccan store Badia, throughout the market.
Yhing Yhang spotlights Thailand’s gai yhang grilled chicken, marinated and slow-cooked over charcoal, served with house-made sauces and classic Thai sides. The menu also includes whole duck and the Pun Youn Sandwich, layered on housemade sourdough with a choice of grilled chicken, pork, egg, or fermented pork sausage, paired with sweet chili jam. A fermentation program of house-pickled vegetables and condiments also highlights the menu.
Lugya’h (Kort Havens)
Previte’s namesake Maydan restaurant in Washington, D.C., was the first Middle Eastern restaurant in the U.S. to receive a Michelin Star in 2020, featuring flavors from Tangier to Tehran and Batumi to Beirut, and inspired by the cuisines of the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus. Designed for sharing, the LA outpost features spreads, charred vegetables, whole fish, and meats meant to be torn, dipped, and passed around alongside house-baked bread from the clay oven.
Maydan Market also features a rotating residency space, Club 104, which kicks off with Melnificent Wingz from Chef Melissa Cottingham. Expect some of her signature pop-up specialties, like The Hive and the Hen with hot honey fried chicken and biscuits, her Strutting Gobbler of slow-baked herbed turkey wings, and bacon fat confit whiskey wings alongside her more than half a dozen housemade sauces.
There’s also a Middle Eastern convenience store, Sook, offering grab-and-go foods, specialty Middle Eastern pantry staples, and freshly prepared dishes served from the counter.
The market is open from 5 p.m. onward, with expanded daytime hours starting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m.
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.
Maydan (Kort Havens)
Maydan Restaurant (Kort Havens)
Maydan Market (Ashley Randall)