Meet Laziza, Your New Spot for Good Food, Drink, and Music in Bed-Stuy

1. Bed-Stuy was always the clear choice.

Those who live in the neighborhood may already be familiar with the concept of Laziza: Before opening, El-Zmetr tested the concept at nearby coffee shop mainstay, Milk & Pull. There, they served a pared-down version of what would eventually become the menu, played disco records, and took the temperature of what folks were eager to see open on the block.

El-Zmetr also lives in Bed-Stuy with his family, and has done so for the past six years. He grew up in Australia with his parents, Lebanese immigrants who owned and operated a falafel and shawarma restaurant he remembers fondly.

“It didn’t make sense to me to set up shop anywhere else except our neighborhood. We shop here. Our friends are here. Why wouldn’t I want to add my contribution to the neighborhood?” El-Zmetr adds.

2. Expect charcoal-grilled sujuk, smoky muhammara, and yes, stretchy booza on the menu.

Laziza’s menu centers around its charcoal grill, which they use to make dishes like butterflied prawns with harissa and mango salsa, sujuk, or beef sausage, with blood orange and fennel, and lamb kebab with yogurt, paprika butter, and eggplant.

“The charcoal grill is super important. It’s kind of the centerpiece of the kitchen,” El-Zmetr notes. “Everything off the grill is spectacular. Everything has that whisper, or kiss, of smoke — it’s not super charred, but it has that hint of flavor.”

There is also a list of dips, from muhammara to baba ghanoush, and hot and cold mezze. Falafel, kotlet, or turkey croquette, and Persian cucumber kadu are all on offer.

If El-Zmetr’s name sounds familiar, it may be because you visited (or wanted to visit) his now-closed ice cream shop in Williamsburg, called Republic of Booza. It enjoyed viral success until falling victim to the pandemic, but now its signature menu item, a stretchy version of Levantine ice cream that’s thickened with mastic, is on offer at Laziza.

“The goal [of the menu] is to bring a little bit of what we love, a little bit of what we’re inspired by, and just to continue that journey along the way,” El-Zmetr adds.

3. Do plan on ordering a cocktail (or two).

Cocktails are king at Laziza, where partner Nima Jahromi, previously of Balthazar, helped El-Zmetr craft a thoughtful list that encompasses a large swath of Middle Eastern flavors and spirits.

There’s the Elya Express, named for El-Zmetr’s two-year-old daughter (“She’s a bit of a turbo charged two-year-old,” El-Zmetr laughs), with vodka, orange blossom, and house espresso. Or consider the Mashtiha 50/50, which utilizes the mastic-flavored liqueur mastiha, dill-and-peppercorn-infused gin, and lemon.

“A lot of the cocktails are named after and made after members of my family and what inspires them,” El-Zmetr says.

Arak, a distilled anise spirit, is also found throughout the drink menu, with a flight of three selections available for those interested in trying the spirit. There is also a wine list, with Greek and Lebanese producers, and a few beers on tap.

For those looking for non-alcoholic drinks, sharbats are available in flavors like sour cherry, date and grape, and basil blossom.

4. Come ready to listen — and don’t be afraid to dance.

Music will be a mainstay at Laziza, inspired by El-Zmetr’s past as a DJ and his love of 70’s disco, funk, and soul, and boogie music. Over the years, he has amassed an impressive collection of vinyl, many of which are on display and to be played at the restaurant.

“I have a very big record collection, standing on house, disco, funk, soul, and groove. There were a lot of artists from the United States, from Africa, from India, from the Middle East that kind of like, were inspired by that funk, soul and groove sound. That’s the music we’ll have on the playlists,” El-Zmetr said.

He also plans on inviting DJs, either from the neighborhood or who have ties here, to play on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, as well as during any special nights and events.

“[This is about more] than just someone spinning a record and trying to be a fancy DJ. This is about being a part of Laziza, and contributing to the overall atmosphere. People on the bar curate the cocktails, people in the kitchen bring the amazing food, and [DJs] will bring the music,” El-Zmetr notes. “It all contributes to the overall atmosphere.”

A listening bar this is not, however, he’s quick to note. The feeling inside is less about quiet appreciation and more about lively conviviality.

5.  The 70’s influence doesn’t stop at the music.

The space was designed by Ashley Hohmann, of He Said She Said Studio, and reflects the soundtrack to a T. There’s room for about 45 guests inside, including a few seats at the disco-tiled bar. There are red velvet and corduroy banquettes, and a mesh chainmail light fixture above the room, plus a series of limited-edition speakers from Klipsch.

At the front of the restaurant is a Polaroid photo art piece, made up of 244 photos that, when looked at from a distance, show an image of a Beirut taxi, called a service.

“They drive around Beirut heading in one direction, and you pop in and pop out wherever you want to go. You have random conversations with people. You become friends with random people. You’ll speak to the taxi driver, who’s chain smoking constantly. You’re having this moment, really bringing the city in and enjoying it with the people around you,” El-Zmetr describes. “That embodies what Laziza is. You can either spend all your time here, or you could have it as just a stop along the way. There are sights, there are sounds, there are inspirations that happen along the journey.”

Laziza will be open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. until “late.”