NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Safta’s Table, a new neighborhood Mediterranean all-day cafe from Pomegranate Hospitality, led by restaurateur Emily Shaya and James Beard Award-winning Chef-Partner Alon Shaya, has opened in New Orleans’ Lakeshore neighborhood. Safta’s Table joins Pomegranate Hospitality’s portfolio of award-winning restaurants and bars, including Saba and Saba’s Lounge in New Orleans; Safta in Denver, CO; and Miss River and Chandelier Bar at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. The newest addition, the team shares, offers welcoming counter service for breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner, alongside a beverage program featuring coffee, cocktails and wine. Grab-and-go offerings, to-go meals for the whole family, and catering packages expand upon the ways in which guests can enjoy Safta’s Table.
Food
Focused on fresh and sustainable ingredients, Safta’s Table features a variety of healthful dining options spanning breakfast through dinner, equally suited to a quick stop-in or a more leisurely meal with family and friends. The menu incorporates familiar flavors and beloved dishes from Saba and Safta, including hummus variations from Classic Tahini to Spiced Lamb Ragu, all served with wood-fired sourdough pita; Bright Green Falafel; Roasted Chicken with harissa glaze; and sides like Lutenitsa and
Babaganoush. A dedicated bakery offers cookies, cakes, baklava, and tiramisu, while a kids’ menu and abundant grab-and-go options present myriad ways to feed a family.
“We’ve structured the menu at Safta’s Table around flexibility, allowing our guests to mix and match with sauces and shareable items, and add on things like a crispy potato latke or baharat snickerdoodle to round out their meal,” said Alon Shaya, in a release about the opening. “We’re excited about the possibilities that come from the all-day counter service model, especially the way it lends itself to approachability and deliciousness. In the coming weeks, we’ll also expand upon our to-go options with grab-and-go casseroles, family-style entrées, and catering options designed with ease in mind.”
Breakfast and weekend brunch highlights include Spinach Feta Boreka with grated tomato and spicy chili zhoug; Egg & Cheese Sandwich on pita with sausage, pastrami, or bacon; Breakfast Hummus with poached egg, tomato, and mushrooms; Turkish Style Eggs with garlic labneh, harissa butter, dill, and pita; and a Bagel & Fish Platter with whitefish salad, dill-cured salmon, and a bevy of accoutrements. For lunch and dinner, shareable starters include Golden Garlic Pita with confit garlic and fresh oregano; Mushroom Cigars with green goddess aioli; and Safta’s Mezze Platter, with pita and a choice of three salatim. Pita sandwiches include Chilled Salmon with tzatziki and avocado and Chicken Salad with harissa aioli and confit scallions. Plates—all served with two sides, from Fennel Tzatziki Slaw to Tomato Cucumber Salad—feature Slow-Cooked Lamb with lemon, garlic, and oregano as well as Chicken Schnitzel with pickle and lemon. Salads range from Safta’s Chopped Salad to a Little Gem Caesar topped with falafel, salmon, roasted chicken, or chicken schnitzel, alongside a hearty and bright Chicken Noodle Soup.
Beverage
Beverage selections mirror the all-day food menus, with classic and innovative coffee and tea offerings available throughout the day, wine on tap and in the bottle, and beer selections from New Orleans’ Second Line Brewing. Cocktails—from Espresso Martini and Mimosa at brunch to Negroni, Old Fashioned, and Margarita at dinner—skew classic, while seasonally inspired fresh fruit spritzes are highlighted with or without spirits. The Kiddocino (hot chocolate with steamed milk) provides something special for little ones.
Design
Designed by Emily Shaya and OFFICE La., with branding by Also Known As, Safta’s Table embodies the casual and inviting comfort of dining at your grandmother (safta)’s house. A custom floral mural painted by Phoebe Nelson of Pandr Design Co. wraps the building’s exterior, welcoming guests before they step inside. The interior draws on a retro mid-century diner sensibility, rich with playful colors, patterns, and textures inspired by Mediterranean food and culture and rendered in a palette of pistachio green, burgundy, eggplant, cantaloupe, and cream. While fresh and modern,
there’s a transportative effect to the space that harkens back to the high design and bold hues of the mid-20th century.
The open kitchen, large counter, and pita oven are central to the space and reinforce the focus on the food and all-day offerings on display. Ceramic wall tile mirrors the colors of Alon’s own safta’s plaid tablecloth, while eco-friendly Marmoleum floor tile grounds the space. Sconces and pendant fixtures designed in 1958 by Louis Poulsen capture the warm light of golden hour and reduce glare from exposed incandescent bulbs; honey-stained wood and retro plastic laminate countertops complete the look.
Hours
Safta’s Table is open daily Sunday–Thursday from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Weekday breakfast runs from 7–10:30 a.m., weekend brunch from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., and the lunch/dinner menu begins daily at 11 a.m. Located at 129 Allen Toussaint Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 | saftastable.com | @saftastable
Dining and Cooking