Siblings Samaya Boueri Ziade and George Boueri have partnered on their first restaurant, Sawa, which just so happens to mean "together" in Arabic. This lively spot lures a crowd: by the time they unlock the doors, the line is already long. Everyone is here for the convivial ambience and the standout Middle Eastern food from Chef Soroosh Golbabae. This is a menu thick with options, with house-made pita arriving piping hot to scoop up labneh and hummus with wagyu beef cheeks plus baba ghannouj before a round of mezze like tabbouleh, fried meat pies, and kibbeh nayeh. Don't miss the rakkakat, or akkawi and halloumi cheese wrapped in filo and fried to a golden crisp. Grilled Australian lamb chop with garlic labneh and a generous coating of urfa bibir is a smoky, savory main dish. Finish with the tamriyeh, phyllo pastries filled with sweet semolina pudding.