Small-Business Owners Are Scoring Dream Spots In The Most Cutthroat Market
Eli Sussman never imagined he would be able to open a restaurant at 30 Rock — the heart of Manhattan and the location of Tina Fey's sitcom by the same name.
But he's done it.
His Mediterranean fast casual restaurant Samesa opened in Rockefeller Center in March
How to Throw a Barbecue like Max and Eli Sussman
It was a perfect July afternoon, and the chefs Eli and Max Sussman were facing off in a heated round of Ping-Pong that suggested a long family history with the sport. The two brothers were taking a break from barbecue duty at Ruschmeyer's, the hotel and restaurant in Montauk where they did a cooking residency last summer.
The Absolute Best Chicken Wings in New York
At this modern Middle Eastern shawarma shack, the wings get dry-rubbed in salt and the sumac-sesame spice mix known as za’atar, then smoked, then fried til crispy in a light dredging of rice flour, then coated in more za’atar. They’re zingy and unexpected, served with a clever and tangy labneh-ranch dip, plus sticks of celery and heirloom carrot
The Sussmans Are Way More Than Just Meme Kings, They're Fast-Casual Moguls in the Making
With a new location for their restaurant at 30 Rock, Max and Eli Sussman are taking a bet on one of the biggest, most expensive stages in the world. That's gonna take a lot of shawarma.
Samesa’s First Brick-and-Mortar Location Channels Detroit’s Middle Eastern Cuisine
The chicken thighs, marinated for two days in buttermilk and labneh by Samesa’s owners, Eli and Max Sussman — sibling chefs who’ve co-authored three cookbooks — qualify as “bomb.” Charred and coarsely chopped, the spit-roasted bird explodes with flavor, as do neon-pink pickled radishes and the filling $14 plate’s nutty, onion-laced mujadara pilaf, made from lentils, quinoa, and chewy wild rice, which practically roars with cumin. Splashed with tahini-buttermilk and grassy green zhug, the multicolored array is as inviting to look at as it is satisfying to savor and demolish.
New York Chef Brothers Return Home to Detroit (and to Hot Dogs)
Max and Eli have worked as chefs at some of the coolest and most influential restaurants in New York City, although they’ve since branched out on their own, dreaming up their own version of a karaoke bar, writing popular cookbooks in which they insist that anyone with a kitchen can prepare bouillabaisse or oxtail tamales,
Brooklyn’s Newest Brewery Will Be Your Favorite Summer Spot
Dining al fresco is a joy of summer in New York City, except, well, when it gets too hot. Instead of drinking a sweaty beer in the sun, take cover in Williamburg's newest brewery and taproom, founded by former "gypsy brewers" Lauren and Joe Grimm.
Along with their beer, the Grimms will serve locally-made sodas, New York-state wine and cider, and bites from Samesa, a Shawarma spot in Williamsburg.
Where to Eat Vegan Food in New York Right Now
In some ways, Middle Eastern food lends itself to veganism with its low use of dairy. Just take the vegan-by-accident zucchini fritters at this Williamsburg restaurant, which are served with avocado hummus, garlic sauce, cucumber-tomato salad, and spice red zhug. Best part: You can get it as a wrap or a plate.
