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Alon Shaya to open new restaurants in N.O., Denver

Award-winning chef plans to open two new restaurants following high-profile split with John Besh.
Award-winning Chef Alon Shaya's restaurant is nominated for a James Beard award.

Chef Alon Shaya, who was fired from his nationally-acclaimed Magazine Street restaurant last September, has announced plans to open two new restaurants, one Uptown and the other in Denver.

Shaya formed Pomegranate Hospitality after his split with embattled chef/restaurateur John Besh late last year and on Tuesday Shaya's company announced plans to open a restaurant named Saba in Uptown New Orleans this spring.

Saba, which means grandfather in Hebrew, will feature the same type of Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine that won Shaya the James Beard award for best new restaurant in 2016. “Saba will reflect a collection of moments where food and culture have crossed paths, offering a taste of this ever-evolving cuisine. Wood fired pita bread baked steps from the table will soak up the flavors of Bulgaria, Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Palestine and Greece to name a few,” said a news release.

No location for the restaurant was given, but the news release said Saba will feature the talents of chef de cuisine Cara Peterson.

“All of us at Pomegranate Hospitality are beyond excited to get the doors open at Saba in New Orleans,” Shaya said in a statement. “This restaurant will serve as our community center, where we can engage with our beloved team members, our hungry guests, and continue to support the causes that make our community stronger.”

Shaya's Pomegranate Hospitality also announced plans to open a restaurant called Safta late this spring in Denver, inside the forthcoming Source Hotel in the city's RiNo (River North) Arts District. That restaurant will also feature Shaya’s brand of modern Israeli cuisine. Safta means grandmother in Hebrew.

Tuesday’s announcements come after Shaya's high-profile split with Besh in September, as well as a months-long battle for the rights to the name Shaya, which continues to adorn a popular Magazine Street restaurant.

Alon Shaya was previously the chef and a partner at Shaya, as well as at Domenica and Pizza Domenica. All three restaurants were developed by Besh Restaurant Group. A judge ruled recently that BRG would not have to cease using the name as a trademark lawsuit plays out. Besh found himself at the center of national headlines over allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct with staff members. He quickly stepped down as the BRG chief executive officer amid the scandal.

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