Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood is introducing a new Eastern Mediterranean restaurant called Lady Hawk, curated by Charbel Hayek, the winner of Top Chef Middle East. The transition to Ladyhawk began on Thursday, November 2, located at 623 North La Peer Drive. It is open from Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and remains open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and weekends. The bar opens at 5 p.m. daily.
The decision to establish Ladyhawk represents a strategic move by the Kimpton Hotel group. While West Hollywood boasts a diverse and compelling dining landscape, upscale Mediterranean cuisine has been a relatively less prominent offering. With Ladyhawk, the team at Kimpton Hotel Group aimed to fill this gap and found an ambitious young chef, Charbel Hayek, to lead the kitchen. Hayek’s culinary journey led him from Los Angeles to Lebanon, where he won the title of Top Chef Middle East Season 5. Following that, he worked as a private chef in Florida before returning to LA. At Ladyhawk, which takes its name from Hayek’s mother, he offers an intimate experience with a Lebanese-inspired menu, featuring some of his childhood favorites.
Hayek’s culinary journey and his experience on Top Chef played a crucial role in reconnecting him with his Lebanese roots. This influence is evident in Ladyhawk’s menu, characterized by family-style dishes served on visually appealing platters. The goal is to make diners feel at home, mirroring the warmth of Lebanese hospitality.
The menu at Ladyhawk includes a Spanish ahi tuna crudo, the winning dish from Top Chef. The mezze menu features Mediterranean staples such as falafel, baba ghanoush, labneh, marinated olives, tahini with fried cauliflower, and pita made from 48-hour fermented dough. Many of Hayek’s mother’s recipes are featured, including fattoush salad, hummus, chicken, and tabbouli, with minimal alterations. Grilled options include octopus, prawns, olive-crusted rack of lamb, and shawarma skirt steak.
To complement the menu, the team at Ladyhawk has curated a selection of wines from the Middle East and offers a concise list of cocktails. Minor updates have been made to the restaurant’s ceiling, floor, decor, and seating. The establishment aims to create an atmosphere where diners can share spreads and small plates, emphasizing the communal aspect of dining. For Hayek, Ladyhawk is a way to share his roots with guests.
