Zaatar Factory: A savory Lebanese journey to Burbank

 Khachapuri comes in egg, cheese, potato and sausage combos, and is cooked to order.

Over here at Eating LA, I mostly leave cupcakes, donuts and brownies to other bloggers. But give me a good loaf of French bread or a spicy cheese-stuffed burek, and I start to get a lot more intrigued. The one-year old Zaatar Factory in Burbank is one of many excellent Lebanese or Armenian bakeries in L.A. baking burek stuffed with spinach or cheese, meat-topped lahmajune and sweet tahini bread and cookies. The small cheese burek ($10 for about a dozen) would be perfect party hors d'oeuvres. But the friendly bakery has a wider selection than many, adding meat or potato-stuffed burek in a half-moon shaped turnover and freshly-made khachapuri.
Unfortunately I was in a bit of a rush, because the real attraction at Zaatar Factory is the khachapuri, sort of a Lebanese pizza-like breakfast bread, with eggs, cheese or sausage topping a foccacia-like base. The bakery is to-go only, so you can take it home and reheat, or just scarf it down in the car. They take about 15 minutes to make, so call ahead or browse in the tiny but well-stocked Lebanese market next door, which also serves grilled meat sandwiches.
The maneishe bread is topped with the bakery's namesake zaatar mix of marjoram, sesame seeds, thyme and oregano. This one is half zaatar, half pepper sauce, and it's dynamite if you take it home and top with a little feta or mozzarella and melt it in the toaster oven.

Zaatar Factory

2909 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Burbank

(818) 859-7353

 

 

Umami burger expanding? Lobster rolls coming soon.

Adam is hinting around that Umami Burger could be looking into other locations on the Westside, Hollywood or Silver Lake. Where would you like to see an Umami Burger spinoff? I'm voting for the Chinese restaurant space next to Gelson's.
Yesterday I took Ramin for his first Umami burger, while I tried the excellent Hatch chile burger and the lightly-malt liquor battered onion rings, which I thought were better than the fries.
Here's what's new at Umami:

• Ice cream sandwiches from Milk in several flavors ($4)
• The Manly burger with Cobb smoked bacon, smoked salt onion strings and cheddar
• Two types of lobster rolls coming in the next few weeks
• new rotating sides including taro and yucca fries and sweet potato salad

The downside? Our burgers were a little too rare, the outside tables along La Brea are noisy and not particularly pleasant, and some Chowhounds have complained of service/seating issues during the busiest periods. So, see, I'm not an Unami shill.

Drinks report: The Smokehouse

I'm glad we had to come back through the Valley after going to Minibar, as Hollywood seemed very crowded indeed on a Hollywood Bowl Saturday night. That way, I could take Matt to the Smoke House, which I've been meaning to do for ages. The Smoke House has been serving workers from Warner Brothers and nearby studios since 1946, and I hate to say, but I've been going there nearly that long. Well, not really, but I spent quite a lot of time there as a little girl eating their great garlic toast and Monte Cristo sandwiches because my dad's animation studio UPA was right next door and he ate lunch there every single day for 25 years. After a few very small plates at Minibar, we probably should have ordered a Monte Cristo as well, but another time. Instead we continued the mojito theme because the Smoke House had them on special that night for a remarkable $5.50 each! Since they were twice the size of Minibar's, that makes them one fourth the price, sort of. We hung out watching young Burbank couples on dates, large groups of middle aged ladies whooping it up, and an inordinate number of key grips and best boys wearing baseball caps, shorts and white sneakers while a pleasant jazz combo tuned up. I wish I was a martini drinker, because the worn red leather booths seem to call for very chilled, very dry martinis. I think I'll be back soon for some garlic toast and a few more bathtub-sized mojitos -- who wouldn't be?
Archived comments:
Doran said...
My Dad worked at Warners at lot and I too spent a fair amount of time as a child scarfing down the Smoke House's garlic toast. The last time I was there was (Yikes!) about 30 years ago on my very first date! While the meal was *much* better than the date, I haven't been back. I'll need to correct that.
Miles said...
When I worked at Disney, I used to go at leat a few times a year. It's best around the Holidays. Doesn't matter what holiday. Just go because they do it up. And the garlic bread is to die for.Plus, when I was growing up, my grandparents lived in Toluca Lake and it was the family gathering place.It's not to be missed.
BBQ Junkie said...
How's their BBQ? With a name like Smokehouse they have to have some on their menu.
Anonymous said...
What you haven't been to the SMOKEHOUSE???? Oh, please! Get it together already! First, ask for the BEST batender in the world...HECTOR. He may not remember your name but he will remember your poison! Mixes up the best drinks...my favorites, Apple Martinis and Bloody Marys!!! Mmmm Delicious!And if you're eating food today...Veggies don't leave before sinking your teeth into some hot Cheese bread. Carnivores grab a cut up NY steak or prime rib!!! You won't regret it!