Eater New Orleans - Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh The New Orleans Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2018-05-14T11:52:12-05:00http://nola.eater.com/rss/stream/162226472018-05-14T11:52:12-05:002018-05-14T11:52:12-05:00Alon Shaya Doesn’t Even Like To Drive By Restaurant Shaya Anymore
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<figcaption>Alon Shaya at Saba | <a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></figcaption>
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<p>The chef reflects on his split with the John Besh Restaurant Group, and the ‘most hurtful moment’ of his life</p> <p id="NoUKb4">Alon Shaya may have officially <a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/5/4/17306956/alon-shaya-saba-new-orleans-restaurant-opening">moved on</a> when he <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/3/17311184/alon-shaya-saba-restaurant-photos-magazine-street-uptown-new-orleans">opened</a> Saba, his first restaurant since his <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">contentious split</a> with John Besh’s restaurant group, but he still finds it challenging to even drive by his namesake restaurant Shaya, <a href="http://www.fox8live.com/story/38161640/alon-shaya-calls-besh-dispute-the-most-hurtful-moment-of-his-life">according to Fox 8 News</a>. </p>
<p id="OohCDG">Once chef-partner at Shaya, Domenica, and Pizza Domenica, Besh’s restaurant group <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/9/19/16336434/zachary-engel-chef-shaya-new-orleans-nola">fired</a> Alon Shaya shortly before the <em>Times-Picayune</em> broke the news that <a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">Besh’s restaurant group fostered a culture that encouraged sexual harassment and assault</a>. Alon Shaya alleges he was fired for speaking out. He <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/20/16804016/alon-shaya-sues-for-name-trademark-new-orleans-nola">fought</a> the restaurant group over his surname, but settled the case just before Saba opened (<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/4/12/17229120/john-besh-alon-shaya-name-legal-dispute-new-orleans-nola">Besh’s restaurant group will keep the name</a>).</p>
<p id="of3Cis">Describing the split as <a href="http://www.fox8live.com/story/38161640/alon-shaya-calls-besh-dispute-the-most-hurtful-moment-of-his-life">one of the most hurtful moments of his life</a>, he also says that the whole thing was “a blessing” because it gave him and his team time to “reflect on what’s important to us.” </p>
<p id="5QfE2v">Alon Shaya told Eater in a recent interview that his experiences influenced several initiatives at his new restaurant. Saba administers “<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/1/17306372/alon-shaya-saba-restaurant-opening-date-uptown-magazine-street-new-orleans-nola">cultural training</a>” for everyone in the organization, honing in on diversity in the workplace, harassment, and discrimination, in addition to offering discounted memberships to a health club, two consecutive days off for workers, and other quality-of-life benefits.</p>
<p id="kroNVL"><em>Do you have a hot restaurant tip? </em><a href="mailto:nola@eater.com"><em>Send an email</em></a><em>. Let us get the facts.</em></p>
<ul>
<li id="ADQCQR">
<a href="http://www.fox8live.com/story/38161640/alon-shaya-calls-besh-dispute-the-most-hurtful-moment-of-his-life">Alon Shaya Calls Besh Dispute the Most Hurtful Moment of his Life</a> [Fox8]</li>
<li id="lyr5IF">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/3/17311184/alon-shaya-saba-restaurant-photos-magazine-street-uptown-new-orleans">Look Inside Alon Shaya’s Saba Restaurant </a>[ENOLA]</li>
<li id="DsRU9R">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="JP7pa5">
<a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">John Besh Restaurants Fostered Culture of Sexual Harassment, 25 Women Say </a>[NOLA.COM]</li>
<li id="wmiC3V">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/venue/44746/saba">All Saba Coverage</a> [ENOLA]</li>
</ul>
<aside id="UGIiCf"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"nola-eater"}'></div></aside><p id="ikolIE"></p>
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https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/14/17352036/alon-shaya-split-loss-new-orleans-nolaStephanie Carter2018-05-03T13:12:02-05:002018-05-03T13:12:02-05:00Look Inside Alon Shaya’s Saba Restaurant, Opening Tomorrow
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<figcaption>Saba takes over the space that housed Kenton’s before it shuttered in March, on the corner of Magazine and Nashville. | <a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></figcaption>
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<p>‘You don’t have to get all dressed up to come here’</p> <p id="3ta5Hy">After a meteoric renovation lasting only a few weeks, Alon Shaya’s highly anticipated restaurant <a href="https://nola.eater.com/venue/44746/saba">Saba </a>will throw open its doors tomorrow in the space that formerly housed <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2015/10/29/9636100/kentons-restaurant-gallery-new-orleans#0">bourbon-loving Kenton’s restaurant</a> (<em>5757 Magazine Street</em>). </p>
<p id="OOPO41">In keeping with the restaurant’s name, Saba, which means <em>grandfather</em> in Hebrew, the design team aimed to make it feel like a grandfather’s house: masculine, classic, and uncomplicated. To note, a portrait of Alon Shaya’s grandfather hangs next to a portrait of Shaya’s wife Emily Shaya’s grandfather above the host stand. </p>
<p id="GmJreK"><a href="https://www.studiomrs.com/">Studio MRS Interiors</a> (co-founder and Morgan City native Michelle Smith is a close friend of Emily Shaya) designed the interiors in collaboration with the <a href="http://officejt.com/">OJT</a>, a New Orleans-based creative architecture and urban design practice. </p>
<p id="hWvl9V">“[Michelle] has really done an amazing job of making the place feel more like it belongs in this neighborhood. Opening it up, it’s fresh, it’s casual...You don’t have to get all dressed up to come here,” Shaya told Eater NOLA. </p>
<p id="DjkYCX">A wood-burning oven in a semi-private dining room gives some diners a peek as pillow-soft flatbread puffs up full of steam moments before making its way to the table. Shaya calls it “the pita café.” In it, there’s a long table that seats 14 people, perfect for big groups. (The restaurant is <a href="https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=nolahabitat#">raffling</a> off a dinner at the 14-seat “Saba’s table” on opening weekend.)</p>
<p id="X9KKi8">The partition that once separate the bar from the main dining room has been removed to give the space a more expansive feel and to allow for more tables. </p>
<p id="Ycaamw">“We want this to be a great neighborhood hang out spot. We’ll have amazing outdoor seating right on Magazine Street and then also we have a little lounge area setup in the restaurant where people can just hang out and have drinks, catch up with friends. That’s going to be a big part of what we’re all about,” Alon Shaya said.</p>
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<cite><a class="ql-link" href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/" target="_blank">Katherine Kimball</a>/Eater NOLA</cite>
<figcaption>Saba takes over the space that housed Kenton’s before it shuttered in March</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>Black and white tile has been installed. The host stand is as you walk in, rather than closer to the bar as it was with Kenton’s. Bright blue frames the walls.</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>On the left, Emily Shaya’s grandfather. On the right, Alon Shaya’s grandfather</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>A lounge area for catching up with friends takes the spot that was Kenton’s host stand area</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>The oyster bar was removed so more seating could be added. The partition between the bar and the dining area was taken down to open the space up</figcaption>
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<cite><a class="ql-link" href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/" target="_blank">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>The glassware, vases, and napkins are have a laid back quality</figcaption>
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<cite><a class="ql-link" href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/" target="_blank">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>The wall behind the bar is open to the “pita cafe,” a semi-private dining room that houses the wood-burning oven used for pita</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>On the bar</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>The semi-private “pita cafe” with a table for 14</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
<figcaption>The wood-burning pita oven is in the “pita cafe”</figcaption>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
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<cite><a href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
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<cite><a class="ql-link" href="http://www.katherinekimballphotography.com/" target="_blank">Katherine Kimball</a></cite>
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<p id="61BrAh"><em>Do you have a hot restaurant tip? </em><a href="mailto:nola@eater.com"><em>Send an email</em></a><em>. Let us get the facts.</em></p>
<ul>
<li id="7EzyTG">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/1/17306372/alon-shaya-saba-restaurant-opening-date-uptown-magazine-street-new-orleans-nola">Alon Shaya’s Saba Restaurant Opens This Week</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="ehtWPn">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/3/1/17065548/alon-shaya-restaurant-location-kentons-new-orleans-nola">Alon Shaya Reveals Location of His NOLA Restaurant </a>[ENOLA]</li>
<li id="OWShR2">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/20/17032468/alon-shaya-restaurants-denver-new-orleans-saba-safta-nola">Alon Shaya Will Open Restaurants in New Orleans and Denver</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="AKDeVg">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/4/12/17229120/john-besh-alon-shaya-name-legal-dispute-new-orleans-nola">John Besh and Alon Shaya Settle Their Legal Dispute Over Shaya Name </a>[ENOLA]</li>
<li id="tDAPuQ">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="PMhoYC">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/eater-inside">All New Orleans Eater Insides</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="JRMb0J">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/openings">All New Orleans Restaurant Opening Coverage</a> [ENOLA] </li>
<li id="tB1uvl">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/venue/44746/saba">All Saba Restaurant Coverage</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="zA0U4l">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/venue/35654/shaya-restaurant">All Shaya Restaurant Coverage</a> [ENOLA]</li>
</ul>
<aside id="bLa38G"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"nola-eater"}'></div></aside><p id="AqeNgm"></p>
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https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/3/17311184/alon-shaya-saba-restaurant-photos-magazine-street-uptown-new-orleansStephanie Carter2018-05-01T10:31:22-05:002018-05-01T10:31:22-05:00Alon Shaya’s Saba Restaurant Opens This Week
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<figcaption>Hummus with tahini at Saba | <a href="https://www.rushjagoe.com/">Rush Jagoe</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Uptown restaurant aims to be a “neighborhood hang-out”</p> <p id="WhbkWY">James Beard Award-winning chef Alon Shaya will bring crabmeat-topped hummus, fresh pita, and and an Israeli version of a fried oyster po-boy to Magazine Street this Friday when he throws open the doors to Saba restaurant (<em>5757 Magazine Street</em>).</p>
<p id="NHCgh4">“We’re really gearing this entire place to be for the neighborhood,” Alon Shaya told Eater. “You’ll be able to bring your kids [and] you can come a few times a week if you wanted to and never feel like you’re over-indulging.” </p>
<p id="Yj3nE3">Meaning <em>grandfather</em> in Hebrew, modern Israeli restaurant Saba is Alon Shaya’s first restaurant under Pomegranate Hospitality, a company he <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16457794/alon-shaya-pomegranate-hospitality-new-orleans-nola">formed </a>after his <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">contentious split</a> with John Besh. He’s also <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/20/17032468/alon-shaya-restaurants-denver-new-orleans-saba-safta-nola">opening</a> Safta, Hebrew for <em>grandmother, </em>in Denver, Colorado.</p>
<p id="pS3GJR">The heart of the dining room is the wood-burning oven in full view that, like<a href="https://nola.eater.com/venue/13461/shaya"> Shaya</a> restaurant (the eatery Alon Shaya opened with John Besh just down the street), churns out fresh pita. This version, though, is “better than it’s ever been,” with a blend of flour that Bellegarde Bakery is milling for the restaurant, Alon Shaya said.</p>
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<cite><a href="https://www.rushjagoe.com/">Rush Jagoe</a></cite>
<figcaption>Pastrami and eggs</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="PZ8O6S">Though Israeli food (with influences from the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa) anchors the menu, Louisiana cuisine also figures into the restaurant. </p>
<p id="lb6eck">For example, the restaurant is serving Louisiana blue crab and butter in hummus. Plus, the lunch menu will include an “Israeli spin on a fried oyster po-boy” with Saba’s curry blend and tucked into a pita, Saba chef de cuisine Cara Peterson said. Taking cues from the New Orleans brunch canon, Saba is serving a “healthier” version of brandy milk punch made with clarified milk. </p>
<p id="Jk21C2">There’s a caviar menu, plus family-style plates like harissa roasted chicken and several versions of hummus. Lamb kabobs, octopus with shawarma spices, and eggplant with peas and zhoug come from the kitchen’s charcoal grill that Kenton’s used for its wood-fired oysters before it <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/3/16/17131336/kentons-closes-new-orleans-nola">shuttered </a>in the location this past March.</p>
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<cite><a href="http://www.rushjagoe.com">Rush Jagoe</a></cite>
<figcaption>Moroccan carrots at Saba</figcaption>
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<p id="CXwIIc">In the coming weeks, expect a “really killer brunch with smoked fish and bagels, chopped liver, and potato salad — and all of the things that your grandfather would love to eat at a New York deli,” Alon Shaya said. Freret Street’s Humble Bagels will supply the bagels.</p>
<p id="gddkGw">Importantly, the restaurant is directly addressing some <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/8/16752088/john-besh-sexual-harassment-news-new-orleans-nola">issues that plagued Besh’s restaurant group </a>by adding “cultural training” for everyone in the organization, honing in on diversity in the workplace, harassment, and discrimination. According to Alon Shaya, the the restaurant is “really focused on our core values as a company to create a really safe and comfortable work environment for everyone on board.” </p>
<p id="HNwJY7">Saba will be open Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday from from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. followed by a “midday menu” from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. (until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). After a few weeks, Saba will add brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.</p>
<p id="Gj6RFs">On opening day, the restaurant will only serve dinner. The restaurant has partnered with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to <a href="https://cbo.io/bidapp/index.php?slug=nolahabitat">raffle off dinner</a> at Saba’s Table, a 14-seat private table at Saba. The dinner, on Saturday, May 5 (opening weekend), will include a five-course meal with wine pairings, gratuity, and conversations with Alon Shaya with proceeds going to NOAHH.</p>
<p id="7mwaQy"><em>Do you have a hot restaurant tip? </em><a href="mailto:nola@eater.com"><em>Send an email</em></a><em>. Let us get the facts.</em></p>
<ul>
<li id="V5TqBb">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/3/16/17131336/kentons-closes-new-orleans-nola">Kenton’s Will Shutter After This Weekend </a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="zJUVXx">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/8/16752088/john-besh-sexual-harassment-news-new-orleans-nola">Tracking the John Besh Sexual Harassment Allegations</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="UhsnZu">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh </a>[ENOLA]</li>
</ul>
<aside id="yGa97i"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"nola-eater"}'></div></aside><p id="FbsyFa"></p>
https://nola.eater.com/2018/5/1/17306372/alon-shaya-saba-restaurant-opening-date-uptown-magazine-street-new-orleans-nolaStephanie Carter2018-04-12T10:54:11-05:002018-04-12T10:54:11-05:00John Besh and Alon Shaya Settle Their Legal Dispute Over Shaya Name
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AdG9musGZ4CRqQGqIW1Z5thW3fY=/167x0:2834x2000/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59365453/Shaya_9200.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Shaya restaurant on Magazine Street | <a href="http://www.joshbrasted.com/">Brasted</a></figcaption>
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<p>They even share kind words about each other</p> <p id="dLq03q">John Besh and Alon Shaya have wrapped up a<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola"> contentious legal fight</a> over the Shaya name, <a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/entertainment_life/food_restaurants/article_e3f3ba5c-3c36-11e8-8d0d-279f63c2a94f.html">according to Ian McNulty</a>. The <a href="https://www.eater.com/a/2015-eater-awards/national">award-winning</a> Shaya restaurant, part of BRG Hospitality (<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/3/16845714/besh-restaurant-group-brg-hospitality-new-orleans-nola">formerly called Besh Restaurant Group</a>), will still be called Shaya even though its namesake chef Alon Shaya is no longer involved. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.</p>
<p id="8fz75g">In sharp <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/25/16932084/besh-shaya-relationship-lawsuit-new-orleans-nola">contrast</a> to the tone of previous court proceedings over the Shaya name, the Besh side and the Shaya side shared nearly identical, kind words about each other, according to the <a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/entertainment_life/food_restaurants/article_e3f3ba5c-3c36-11e8-8d0d-279f63c2a94f.html"><em>Advocate</em></a><em>,</em> namely that each party is grateful to the other and that each party looks forward to Alon Shaya’s future. </p>
<p id="prhq7F">Besh and partner Octavio Mantilla said in a statement: “We are grateful to Alon for his services and partnership over the past decade. Alon is a gifted chef and we look forward to seeing where his many talents will lead him in the future.”</p>
<p id="yrirJZ">Meanwhile, Alon Shaya said: “I am thankful for all the support and opportunities the BRG team has provided over the years. I’m looking forward to the next stage in my career with an appreciation for the hard work and great team it took to get here.”</p>
<p id="kNNNUd">No word on what prompted the sea change in attitude, but considering both of the above quotes are from prepared public statements, one might assume public relations was heavily involved.</p>
<p id="mgjmFX">The two groups started arguing over the Shaya name after <a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/10/23/16520052/alon-shaya-john-besh-sexual-harassment-statement">Alon Shaya was fired</a> last fall from the three BRG restaurant groups he helmed: Shaya, Domenica, and Pizza Domenica. Around the same, the <em>Times-Picayune </em>published a <a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">ground-shaking report </a>on a pervasive culture of sexual harassment at Besh’s restaurant group, with some harassment claims leveled against Besh himself. Alon Shaya <a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/10/23/16520052/alon-shaya-john-besh-sexual-harassment-statement">said</a> he was fired for speaking to the reporter about the harassment allegations. </p>
<p id="9UA0AC">While the sexual harassment allegations <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2017/12/after_john_besh_sexual_harassm.html">rocked the restaurant world</a>, Alon Shaya and Besh were hashing things out in court over Shaya’s name.</p>
<p id="wdPp84">Alon Shaya filed a trademark request for the name and sent a cease-and-desist to Besh’s restaurant group. The Besh group <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/23/16520160/besh-restaurant-group-sues-alon-shaya-new-orleans-nola">sued </a>Alon Shaya, saying that the Shaya restaurant and Alon Shaya himself were successful because of the resources the restaurant group showered on the restaurant and the chef. Alon Shaya <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/20/16804016/alon-shaya-sues-for-name-trademark-new-orleans-nola">fired back</a> with a lawsuit of his own, saying the restaurant was successful because of his talent.</p>
<p id="v9dyhY">Alon Shaya asked that the court to stop BRG from using the Shaya name while the case worked its way through the courts. A judge <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/7/16986382/shaya-restaurant-name-new-orleans-nola">denied</a> his request. </p>
<p id="CWFlju">While all of this was going on, Alon Shaya <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16457794/alon-shaya-pomegranate-hospitality-new-orleans-nola">formed</a> his own hospitality company, Pomegranate Hospitality, <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/17/16492564/zachary-engel-shaya-pomegranate-hospitality-new-orleans-nola">taking with him much of Shaya restaurant’s top talent</a>. Last month, he <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/3/1/17065548/alon-shaya-restaurant-location-kentons-new-orleans-nola">announced</a> that he would open two “modern Israeli” restaurants, one in New Orleans and one in Denver.</p>
<p id="H1XzVF">Shaya’s New Orleans restaurant, Saba, will be located just down the street from Shaya restaurant.</p>
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<ul>
<li id="bl2aXz">
<a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/entertainment_life/food_restaurants/article_e3f3ba5c-3c36-11e8-8d0d-279f63c2a94f.html">John Besh, Alon Shaya Reach Settlement; Legal Feud Ends with Kind words, Separate Restaurants</a> [ADVOCATE]</li>
<li id="Y98G3l">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/3/1/17065548/alon-shaya-restaurant-location-kentons-new-orleans-nola">Alon Shaya Reveals Location of His NOLA Restaurant</a> [ENOLA]</li>
<li id="UNWxdS">
<a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh </a>[ENOLA]</li>
<li id="o4I5UX">
<a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/4/12/17228666/john-besh-alon-shaya-lawsuit-settlement">Alon Shaya and John Besh End Legal Fight Over the Shaya Name</a> [E]</li>
<li id="5ogtyI">
<a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">John Besh Restaurants Fostered Culture of Sexual Harassment, 25 Women Say</a> [TIMES-PICAYUNE]</li>
<li id="DpJwpI">
<a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2017/12/after_john_besh_sexual_harassm.html">What followed John Besh: Sexual Harassment in the Restaurant Industry </a>[NOLA.COM]</li>
</ul>
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https://nola.eater.com/2018/4/12/17229120/john-besh-alon-shaya-name-legal-dispute-new-orleans-nolaStephanie Carter2018-02-20T12:42:33-06:002018-02-20T12:42:33-06:00Alon Shaya Will Open Restaurants in New Orleans and Denver
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ws9XiDvnOLTADFWrxgYZC_e5g8o=/90x0:2910x2115/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58758153/shaya.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Alon Shaya | <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/?esource=SEM_GI_GO_US_Brand_Getty_Images_Exact_EN&kw=US_Getty_Images_Exact_getty+images_e&kwid=s_43700005482248590_dc&pcrid=57448305642&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq6_UBRCEARIsAHyrgUw7ZZZSNCOH66-trydYNRioDmkv9mztS-3q3VmdDOJp_Aec4rpNhK4aAsvMEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CM6Xmb6OtdkCFRGLaQodctsI5Q">Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF</a></figcaption>
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<p>Saba and Safta will open this spring</p> <p id="QWvWo9">Lauded chef <strong>Alon Shaya</strong> will open two new restaurants dishing out modern Israeli cuisine this spring. Shaya’s company, <strong>Pomegranate Hospitality</strong>, will open <strong>Saba </strong>in Uptown New Orleans and <strong>Safta </strong>in the soon-to-open Source Hotel in Denver, Colorado, according to a press release. <strong>Zachary Engel </strong>is the culinary director at both restaurants. No word yet on the exact location of the New Orleans restaurant.</p>
<p id="caK9ci">And — yes — the NOLA restaurant will have “wood fired pita bread baked steps from the table will soak up the flavors of Bulgaria, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Palestine and Greece” that Alon Shaya is known for.</p>
<p id="CSEpER">Alon Shaya chose New Orleans for his restaurant because <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2018/02/alon_shaya_will_open_restauran.html#incart_breaking">it’s his “home and community</a>,” he told NOLA.COM. He <a href="http://www.5280.com/2018/02/denver-is-getting-a-modern-israeli-restaurant-from-an-acclaimed-new-orleans-chef/">chose Denver </a>after he met Mickey and Kyle <strong>Zeppelin, </strong>owners of Source Hotel at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, <a href="http://www.5280.com/2018/02/denver-is-getting-a-modern-israeli-restaurant-from-an-acclaimed-new-orleans-chef/">according to 5280</a>. He returned to Colorado to judge an episode of <em>Top Chef Colorado</em> that took place at another of the Zepellins’ establishments a few weeks later. Then, the Zepellins proposed the idea to him and he “<a href="http://www.5280.com/2018/02/denver-is-getting-a-modern-israeli-restaurant-from-an-acclaimed-new-orleans-chef/">jumped on it</a>.” </p>
<p id="8Nj7I1">The fact that neither of the new restaurants will bear his name is a big deal since since he has been involved in a <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">contentious court battle </a>with John Besh’s restaurant group over the rights to his surname, Shaya. Saba means “grandfather” in Hebrew and Safta means “grandmother.” </p>
<p id="Bp33IR">According to NOLA.COM, if Alon Shaya prevails in his legal battle with John Besh’s restaurant group over the rights to his surname, <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2018/02/alon_shaya_will_open_restauran.html#incart_breaking">he does not plan to rename the restaurants</a>. </p>
<p id="0peZjO">Should Alon Shaya abandon or fail in his efforts to regain the rights to his name from John Besh, this would mean that Uptown New Orleans would have two modern Israeli restaurants — one called Saba with Alon Shaya at the helm, and one called Shaya without any involvement from Alon Shaya. (In these type battles, the chefs usually get the <a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/2/20/17020780/chef-naming-rights-contract-restaurant-alon-shaya-john-besh">short end of the stick</a>.)</p>
<p id="balsPm">The lawsuit over the name grew out of a <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/9/18/16330786/john-besh-alon-shaya-new-orleans-nola">high-profile split</a> between the two parties. Alon Shaya claims he was fired from the three restaurants (Shaya, Domenica, Pizza Domenica) he helmed under the Besh umbrella for speaking to Brett Anderson at NOLA.COM for a <a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">story about a culture of sexual harassment at Besh’s restaurant group</a>, now called BRG Hospitality. BRG disputes this claim and has moved to dismiss the wrongful termination suit. </p>
<p id="Qkj7qc"><a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">Anderson’s story </a>was a <a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/12/5/16726282/brett-anderson-besh-expose-watershed-moment-eater-awards-2017">watershed moment </a>in the restaurant industry nationally, and also led to <a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/10/23/16524266/john-besh-steps-down-sexual-harassment">Besh stepping down</a> from the company he helmed and a <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/3/16845714/besh-restaurant-group-brg-hospitality-new-orleans-nola">renaming of that company</a>. </p>
<p id="LC70wA">According to <em>Food and Wine</em>, Alon Shaya will focus on “making his restaurants safe, transparent and organized,” in what seems to be a response to the allegations that are currently encumbering BRG, where Alon Shaya previously worked. While no allegations have been made against Alon Shaya personally, the restaurants he helmed were not immune to sexual harassment allegations. Nor were the restaurants helmed by Shannon White, who took Besh’s place at BRG, <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2018/02/alon_shaya_will_open_restauran.html#incart_breaking">notes </a>NOLA.COM. </p>
<p id="inAhNf">Alon Shaya says that the last five months gave him a lot of time to ruminate on that culture and consider how to change it, which he plans to do through quarterly “culture training” for example.</p>
<p id="cHtEP3">MORE READING</p>
<p id="jDLLV8"><a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/2/20/17020780/chef-naming-rights-contract-restaurant-alon-shaya-john-besh">How Chef Alon Shaya Could Lose His Name to John Besh</a> [E]</p>
<p id="AimjPI"><a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/news/alon-shaya-saba-new-orleans-opening">Alon Shaya to Open Saba in New Orleans This Spring</a> [F+W]</p>
<p id="BOT9mu"><a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2018/02/alon_shaya_will_open_restauran.html#incart_breaking">Alon Shaya Will Open Restaurants in New Orleans and Denver</a> [NOLA.COM]</p>
<p id="7m0eWN"><a href="http://www.5280.com/2018/02/denver-is-getting-a-modern-israeli-restaurant-from-an-acclaimed-new-orleans-chef/">James Beard Award-Winner Alon Shaya to Open a Modern Israeli Restaurant in Denver</a> [5280]</p>
<p id="XWnaVR"><a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh </a>[ENOLA]</p>
<p id="jd1OOc"><a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/2/20/17032510/alon-shaya-two-new-restaurants-denver-new-orleans-2018-spring">Alon Shaya Will Open Two New Restaurants This Year</a> [E]</p>
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https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/20/17032468/alon-shaya-restaurants-denver-new-orleans-saba-safta-nolaStephanie Carter2018-02-07T13:11:52-06:002018-02-07T13:11:52-06:00Details of Shaya/Besh Split Emerge in Court Docs
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J4rBk5_5B8ZYWUXewTSu7b3mNeM=/0x0:768x576/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58372547/22310251_2091054667785033_4173321069868966447_n.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><a href="https://www.facebook.com/shayarestaurant/photos/a.1624768891080282.1073741828.1598143453742826/2091054667785033/?type=3&theater">FACEBOOK</a></figcaption>
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<p>Alon Shaya files a motion to get BRG to stop using his name immediately</p> <p id="9Vl8dj">The latest development in the <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola"><strong>Alon Shaya</strong> and <strong>John Besh</strong> saga</a> has arrived: On Tuesday, Alon Shaya filed a motion asking the judge to “<strong>immediately block Shaya’s former partners from using the Shaya name</strong> while the dispute plays out in court,” <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2018/01/chef_alon_shaya_ups_the_ante_i.html#incart_m-rpt-2">reports Brett Anderson</a>. Shaya requested a January 31 hearing on the motion.</p>
<p id="JYuFNF">In December, Shaya <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/20/16804016/alon-shaya-sues-for-name-trademark-new-orleans-nola">dropped his plans </a>to purchase his namesake restaurant, but filed a lawsuit for the rights to his name. This new motion basically asks that they stop using the name right now, before they court decides who has the rights to the name. The December filing over the name claimed that the Shaya “brand” has been “tarnished by association with the widely reported immoral, unethical, and undignified behavior of Besh, Mantilla, and BRG.”</p>
<p id="ZVYOEL">The legal battle between the former business partners (Octavio Mantilla, John Besh, and Alon Shaya) has become a window into the contentious spit between the groups. After Shaya <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/20/16804016/alon-shaya-sues-for-name-trademark-new-orleans-nola">sued for the rights to his name</a> towards the end of December, new BRG Hospitality CEO <strong>Shannon White</strong> said in a statement that that there is much more to the story and that the rest of that will be “forthcoming” in court filings. And, so it is.</p>
<p id="Hm4CRu">Here’s a quick timeline of events, as newly revealed in the motion, according to Brett Anderson.</p>
<ul>
<li id="bDRJUQ">September 2015: The three business partners considered, but vacated, revisions to the operating agreements of Shaya, Domenica, and Pizza Domenica. </li>
<li id="sxjSBo">May 2017: The partners met to discuss the “termination of the business relationship. The meeting was heated at times.”</li>
<li id="Gf0d1d">August 19, 2017: Besh left Shaya a voice message saying, according to the motion, “Hey Alon. This is John. I spoke with Octavio and understand that ya’ll had a heated talk. I just want to let you that you know what, I don’t want your restaurant, I don’t want any of the fame that comes with it. I don’t want any of that.”</li>
<li id="ufPbYI">September 18, 2017: Shaya attended a meeting with Besh and Mantilla, where he thought they would formalize the split and the partners would allow Shaya to purchase Shaya restaurant. Instead, Shaya was fired from all three restaurants he helmed at that meeting. </li>
</ul>
<p id="glQGp6">The split between the high-profile chefs was <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2017/09/john_besh_and_alon_shaya_are_p.html">first reported by Brett Anderson </a>on September 18, just a month before<a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html"> Anderson’s shattering report on the culture of sexual harassment at Besh’s restaurant group</a>. </p>
<h4 id="KJ7e7G">MORE READING</h4>
<p id="Yk1eZ2"><a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2018/01/chef_alon_shaya_ups_the_ante_i.html#incart_m-rpt-2">Chef Alon Shaya Ups the Ante in Legal Fight Over His Name</a> [NOLA.COM]</p>
<p id="IMeSzl"><a href="https://www.eater.com/2018/1/18/16905100/restaurants-business-sexual-misconduct-new-york-times">Men Accused of Sexual Misconduct Are Still Benefitting From Their Restaurants</a> [E]</p>
<p id="03h63y"><a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/10/23/16520052/alon-shaya-john-besh-sexual-harassment-statement">Alon Shaya Says Besh Restaurant Group Fired Him for Speaking Out About Sexual Harassment Allegations</a> [E]</p>
<p id="sWzOja"><a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Alon Shaya’s Split From John Besh</a> [E]</p>
<p id="mqXox0"><a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/8/16752088/john-besh-sexual-harassment-news-new-orleans-nola">Tracking the John Besh Sexual Harassment Allegations</a> [E]</p>
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https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/18/16905722/shaya-besh-split-court-motion-name-new-orleans-nolaStephanie Carter2018-02-07T13:08:04-06:002018-02-07T13:08:04-06:00Shaya Restaurant Holds Onto Its Name, For Now
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<img alt="A Look at Shaya, Your New Lenten BFF" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ff8mmaEWCBqDECPgnTldToKulkY=/167x0:2834x2000/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58610491/Shaya_9201.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><a href="http://www.joshbrasted.com">Brasted</a></figcaption>
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<p>Alon Shaya had requested that Besh’s restaurant group immediately stop using the name </p> <p id="Ht5CN3">John Besh’s restaurant group will continue to be able to use New Orleans chef Alon Shaya’s name, at least for now.</p>
<p id="3RrFN3">On Wednesday, a judge denied <strong>Alon Shaya’s</strong> <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/18/16905722/shaya-besh-split-court-motion-name-new-orleans-nola">request for a temporary injunction</a> that would put an immediate stop to <strong>John Besh’s</strong> restaurant group, <strong>BRG Hospitality</strong>, using his surname while the battle over the name winds its way through the courts. </p>
<p id="e0oduV">U.S. District Judge <strong>Ivan Lemelle</strong> gave a couple of <a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_7425cc5a-0c26-11e8-b401-e751ce60a880.html">reasons for the decision</a>, according to the Advocate. For one, he said that changing the name would require the restaurant to close for up to a year as a new concept is developed by BRG, which would financially hurt the Shaya restaurant employees. Of course, it would also impede what is likely a decent revenue stream for BRG Hospitality, as Shaya is currently its most lauded restaurant. </p>
<p id="v8EG7H">Lemelle also said that he wasn’t sure that Alon Shaya would succeed in a court battle over the name, which would be over a year away if the case goes to trial. This was the standard Alon Shaya needed to meet to win this portion of the battle.</p>
<p id="Wzbu9B">Still, the judge pointed out flaws in both Alon Shaya and Besh’s arguments. He pointed to a message Besh left for Alon Shaya, saying that he didn’t want Alon Shaya’s restaurant or the “fame that comes with it.” </p>
<p id="8HGFiU">The judge also questioned Shaya’s argument that his surname was being sullied by its continued association with the embattled Besh group, saying that the damage was already done and that it would not be increased as the name was still in play by Besh’s restaurant group.</p>
<p id="VfOaQX">According to the Advocate story, the judge asked whether Alon Shaya knew about the sexual misconduct as it was going on. His lawyers denied that he was involved in any wrong-doing or that he knew of wrong-doing. Sarcastic “snickers” came from the Besh side of the room. </p>
<p id="zkRMzE">Depending on the terms of the Shaya/Besh contract, it could be possible that, should Alon Shaya lose the battle over the Shaya name, he could still use “Alon Shaya” in his new restaurant’s name, <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/7/16986052/alon-shaya-pomegranate-hospitality-new-restaurant-new-orleans-nola">which will be located in New Orleans</a>. </p>
<p id="KHVQZ6">A <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2002/11/both_sides_claim_victory_in_br.html">similar case</a> emerged between the previous owners of Brennan’s restaurant and Dickie Brennan in the early aughts. A judge ruled that <a href="http://www.nola.com/dining/index.ssf/2002/11/both_sides_claim_victory_in_br.html">Dickie Brennan could still use his first and last name together </a>in his restaurant names, hence Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, etc., even though the Brennan’s trademark was owned by the Brennan’s folks. </p>
<p id="SBj1n6">It’s not clear that the case will ever make it to trial. BRG said in court that it’s still open to settling out of court. Shaya said afterward, according to the Advocate, that he’d talk with his attorneys about what to do next.</p>
<h4 id="UAo1YT">MORE READING</h4>
<p id="xGilpM"><a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/multimedia/photos/collection_87210e8c-0c21-11e8-b161-f3f18b66e3cb.html">Photos: Celebrity Chef John Besh Heads to New Orleans Court in Legal Battle with Alon Shaya </a>[ADVOCATE]</p>
<p id="DrN4j2"><a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_7425cc5a-0c26-11e8-b401-e751ce60a880.html">Judge Denies Alon Shaya’s Request to Bar John Besh Group From Using His Name on Popular Restaurant</a> [ADVOCATE]</p>
<p id="8d2n1E"><a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2018/02/besh_shaya_restaurant_lawsuit.html#incart_river_index">John Besh and Co. Score Victory in Fight over Shaya Restaurant Name</a> [NOLA.COM] </p>
<aside id="VCmqkK"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"nola-eater"}'></div></aside>
https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/7/16986382/shaya-restaurant-name-new-orleans-nolaStephanie Carter2018-02-07T11:36:50-06:002018-02-07T11:36:50-06:00Alon Shaya Will Open a New Israeli Restaurant in New Orleans
<figure>
<img alt="A Look at Shaya, Your New Lenten BFF" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L57bctbaquEkJHmBOOamtzBhAVs=/167x0:2834x2000/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58608725/Shaya_9368.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption><a href="http://www.joshbrasted.com/">Brasted</a></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>He let the news slip after Wednesday’s hearing over the Shaya name</p> <p id="1ZpUXa">Very few details on this right now, but <strong>Alon Shaya</strong> let it slip that “<a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_7425cc5a-0c26-11e8-b401-e751ce60a880.html">he would soon announce the opening of a new Israeli restaurant in New Orleans, declining to divulge many specifics</a>,” reports the Advocate.</p>
<p id="ztaB01">Alon Shaya made the announcement after leaving a hearing on Wednesday, in which the judge denied Alon <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/18/16905722/shaya-besh-split-court-motion-name-new-orleans-nola">Shaya’s request that the BRG Hospitality immediately stop using the Shaya name</a>. The hearing was part of an ongoing battle between the high profile chefs over the Shaya name, with Alon Shaya arguing that it was his heritage and talent that made the restaurant successful.</p>
<p id="qE0ecU"><a href="https://nola.eater.com/2018/1/25/16932084/besh-shaya-relationship-lawsuit-new-orleans-nola">Besh argues</a> that BRG Hospitality was the first to use the Shaya name in commerce, that Alon Shaya has no legal right to the business name, and that BRG’s PR team and investments had a lot to do with the restaurant’s success. </p>
<p id="iExmkm">The court won’t decide the issue for about a year, so Alon Shaya requested the name be removed from the restaurant in the interim, claiming it was being sullied by the <a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2017/10/john_besh_restaurants_fostered.html">sexual harassment allegations</a> blanketing BRG Hospitality.</p>
<p id="lTKD7b">Shaya was <a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/9/19/16336434/zachary-engel-chef-shaya-new-orleans-nola">fired </a>from the three restaurants he helmed at BRG Hospitality in October. Since then, he started his own group — <strong>Pomegranate Hospitality</strong>. Without a restaurant under that umbrella, he managed to poach some of <a href="https://pomhospitality.com/team/">Shaya restaurant’s top talent</a>, including James Beard Award winner <strong>Zach Engel</strong>, former Shaya executive sous chef <strong>Cara Peterson</strong>, and former Shaya GM <strong>Sean Courtney</strong>. </p>
<p id="mMGUI0">Eater NOLA has reached out to Pomegranate Hospitality for comment.</p>
<h4 id="Vmk2Rm">MORE READING</h4>
<p id="uN48Fq"><a href="http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/courts/article_7425cc5a-0c26-11e8-b401-e751ce60a880.html">Judge Denies Alon Shaya’s Request to Bar John Besh Group From Using His Name on Popular Restaurant</a> [ADVOCATE]</p>
<p id="D5LnDV"><a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/10/11/16458606/alon-shaya-john-besh-split-new-orleans-nola">Tracking Shaya/Besh Split </a>[ENOLA]</p>
<p id="gewuDn"><a href="https://nola.eater.com/2017/12/8/16752088/john-besh-sexual-harassment-news-new-orleans-nola">Tracking John Besh Sexual Harassment Allegations</a> [ENOLA]</p>
<aside id="J8S3Vv"><div data-anthem-component="newsletter" data-anthem-component-data='{"slug":"nola-eater"}'></div></aside>
https://nola.eater.com/2018/2/7/16986052/alon-shaya-pomegranate-hospitality-new-restaurant-new-orleans-nolaStephanie Carter