Ammatoli

Absolutely love this restaurant. The food is amazing and Lily was a very attentive server.

This was my first time here and I LOVED IT!! Definitely coming back.. So many beautiful flavors I have never experienced before. The spicy lemon garlic chicken was my favorite dish of the night. What made our dinner even more special was our server Lily who knew exactly what we needed. She had the best suggestions and was the sweetest. Can't wait to try their breakfast!!

I came with my friend around 6:30pm on a week night and we did not make a reservation but were still able to be seated at the bar with no wait. There is parking in front and at the public parking lot (2 hours free)!! From the minute we sat down, Pete, our server, was SO friendly and welcoming!He cheerily wished us a Happy Wednesday and proceeded to help explain the menu to us (almost comedically which made it entertaining) and gave great recommendations. He definitely contributed to a great atmosphere where already we were impressed with the decorations and now with the service. Then, we became impressed with the food! We ordered Jibneh Manoushe (it's like a cheese pizza and is absolutely delicious and paired well with mint leaves), Pistachio Baklawa, and Lemon Garlic Chicken. The Jibneh Manoushe had the softest but also with a little crunch crust! We couldn't get over how doughy good it was :0DAnd when we added garlic sauce to it, it was perfection!! The Lemon Garlic Chicken was also good and not dry (I was very appreciative of that because most chicken cooked like that comes out dry). It came with delicious rice and two sauces. The first sauce was the Spicy Lemon sauce but it was a little too sour. The second sauce was the amazing garlic sauce!! The Pistachio Baklawa (I am not sure how it is different from Baklava or if there is a typo on the menu) was soooo delicious!! It was paired well with local ice cream. The ice cream flavor was vanilla and it tasted like quality vanilla! The Baklava/Baklawa was crispy and delicious with the pistachios inside!! Overall a great restaurant and the free parking nearby helps even more!

Our friend group (party of 6) enjoyed a late lunch. We had a reservation for 2:30 but because of some traffic, we arrived about 15 mins later. We had to call them from the road and it took us about 4 times to actually get someone on the phone. We were put on hold a really long time as well. When we did eventually talk to someone, they were understanding but did let us know we had a limit on the table. When we arrived, we did have to wait another 10ish minutes, probably because they had to give our table away. We were told that they were cleaning and setting up our table when our whole party arrived.We ordered the following: six way mezza (hummus, mutabbal, labneh, cucumber yogurt, falafel, and roasted beets salad), roasted cauliflower, halloumi grilled, Palestinian msakhan, Ammatoli shwarma (gyro), several orders of pita, and mini chicken shwarma wraps. Everything was incredible. It was all cooked and seasoned well. Everything we ate was so good. No complaints from anyone and we were allequally impressed with the quality of each dish. Dessert was equally great. Not too sweet but very unique in flavor and texture. We ordered the knafeh and the osmalieh ice cream. Our server was great. She was very kind and attentive. There was an instance where I ordered a hot black tea and I was given a teapot full of lukewarm water from another person. When I had let her know what happened, she apologized but did mention that "they do that." Sounds like it's been an issue? Other than that, service was good.

LA is home to an incredible variety of cuisines, but regional Middle Eastern food often gets overshadowed by the more generalized label of "Mediterranean." Finding restaurants that truly represent regional Middle Eastern food, rather than grouping everything under one broad umbrella, is rare. That's why discovering Ammatoli, a restaurant led by Chef Dima, who proudly embraces her Jordanian-Palestinian roots, felt so refreshing.Having traveled across the Middle East for the past seven years, I always seek out restaurants that claim to capture the flavors of the region. Ammatoli stood out not just for its menu but for Chef Dima's commitment in sharing the impact of her upbringing through her cooking. Naturally, I had high expectations.We started with spicy hummus and fries with Levantine spices (I know, fries is not a good choice to try for the appetizers but I was craving them). The hummus was smooth, paired with warm, fresh pita - always a good idea. However, it wasn't as spicy as I had hoped. It was good but not a standout.One of the highlights of the night was the za'atar manoushe. The first time I ever had manoushe was in Beirut, where I would wake up early and go to a small bakery in the heart of Gemmayzeh. They only had three choices: meat, cheese, and za'atar-; and I always chose za'atar. It became my morning ritual, and ever since, I've been searching for that experience back here. Unfortunately, most of the za'atar I've had in LA doesn't quite capture it - but Ammatoli's version did. The spices were fresh and bold, and the dough was perfectly baked. My partner had never tried za'atar or manoushe before, and he absolutely loved it. This dish alone showed how much effort Chef Dima puts into staying true to her upbringing and sharing the flavors with a community that may not be familiar with them but is eager to learn.For our main dishes, we ordered freekeh and lamb chops. The freekeh, a smoky green wheat dish, wasn't as impressive as I anticipated. While the flavors were there, it didn't leave a lasting impression. However, the lamb chops were outstanding. The meat was incredibly tender, falling right off the bone with each bite. The spices were bold, making every mouthful an experience. My partner and I had that moment where we both gasped at the same time!For desserts, I was surprised to find Osmalieh, a crispy pastry dessert that I've only seen in the Middle East. Seeing it on the menu alone was exciting. Then came the knafeh - the dish that made my night. Finding the perfect knafeh in LA has been a challenge (I've looked far and wide from Little Arabia in OC to Little Persia in West LA), but Ammatoli's version was just right. It had the ideal balance of cheesiness, sweetness, and nuttiness. This alone is enough to bring me back.Ammatoli is an important addition to LA's food scene, offering a much-needed and welcomed space for Palestinian and Jordanian flavors. While not every dish blew me away, the highlights - especially the lamb chops, manoushe, and knafeh - were unforgettable. I've already made another reservation because I know there's so much more to explore from Chef Dima and her talented team.For those looking for a true taste of the Levant, Ammatoli is a must-visit. I now understand why so many diners leave feeling nostalgic.

WOW!!!! Just showed up on a whim and was taken away. The inside decor was beyond beautiful, the music was spot on. They set the tone before you even get seated. Casual or dressed up you feel at home. We sat at the bar and decided to order. The food was yummy and I couldn't find any issues (I always find an issue). The bartender and several Francis was knowledgeable and friendly. He knew to check in but keep his distance while we fell into a food coma. While eating the owner was doing her thing and started decorating the table flower pieces, this included pretty white flowers and some olive branches for the full vibe. We spoke to her and she stopped every time to give us her full attention. She was amazing. Long story short if you're in the area and you don't stop by you are foolish. I've been eating at middle eastern places my whole life and this has been one of my top meals and overall experience!!!

OK....Holy Hummus! You can buy 'good, tasty ' hummus anywhere, sure, BUT Ammatoli's hummus/dip concoctions are OUTSTANDING!! No joke melt in your mouth, experience each ingredient separately and combined with every bite. My girlfriend and I were knocked off our 'pita's.'Ammatoli is a family business that embraces the cuisine of Jordan, where Amma is the capital. I was welcomed by Ryan, the GM, Ryan, the Expo and Masah, pastry chef & part of the OG family.I ordered take-out which took less than 4 minutes to prepare (jackpot!)What did I order, you ask?Well the menu offers large plates, small plates but what caught my eye was the 3-way Mezza Box. You get to choose 3 items out of 11 for only $34. - Roasted Beet Hummus - full of flavor and gorgeous saturated beet color - Cucumber Yogurt - ignites your taste buds with a fresh, cooling bite- Recommended by Ryan, the Foul Mudammas - talk about a robust dip with mind-blowing flavor- complimentary pita came in our take-out box - You are in luck! Parking-- 2hrs free just to the left of the restaurant when facing the entrance.My mind was honestly blown!

Was looking for a nice place to celebrate a special birthday and found this place on Yelp. Made reservations ahead of time and mentioned the birthday occasion and asked for a nice table in a quiet area. Unfortunately the experience was below average for a trendy restaurant and left a bad taste in our mouths. Here's the rundown:TastyFresh pita (5/5) - nice and hot from ovenRed beet hummus (5/5) - unique and very tasty, pistachios is a nice touchRed bean lentil soup (3.5/5) - rich texture, light flavorShrimp kebab (4/5) - large tasty shrimp but need to peelGrape Leaves (4/5) - good blend of ingredientsMutabbal Mezza (3.5/5) - Strong roasted eggplant flavor, acquired tasteRibeye Kebab (3/5) - asked for medium rare but they served medium well/well done, tough to eatTurkish Coffee (4/5) - good flavor but smallBadKafta Kebab - salty, dry, took a bite and left the rest (1/5)Spicy hummus - hummus with green chili, too spicy to eat, nothing special taste-wise (2/5)Vermicelli rice (1/5) - not a fan, tasted like ordinary rice pilaf, simple basmati rice would have been betterSeating (1/5) - asked for a nice quiet table and we got seated in the tiniest table barely had any room to fit our dishes, had to use our seats and side-counter to place table items on, felt like sardines. Seats were hard. Service (1/5) - The female hostess was nice and wished us a happy birthday, the male table staff that cleared the tables were attentive, the female server on the other hand started out nice but was rude about replacing the spicy hummus and disappeared when I complained that the rib-eye kebab was not cooked medium rare as requested. She also offered more pita bread but charged us without mentioning beforehand. She offered syrup for coffee but charged that as well without saying beforehand. Just really deceptive practices. The manager came by at the end when we were ready to pack up and asked about everything. When I mentioned the issues with the rib-eye he offered to cook it again but that was when we were done eating. Its like inviting someone to your party when its ending. Its too little, too late. No offer to comp bill. Just a hand-shake and a fake smile to send us on our way. Also no candle, no free birthday dessert, nothing. Just extra surprise charges. So disappointing. Did not feel special at all. Just cheated. For the prices they are charging we expected more from this establishment. Such a shame. 2 stars.

Stepping into this Syrian-Palestinian-Jordanian-Lebanese gem, I was immediately greeted by the warmth of the space. The ambiance is so bright, airy, with greenery. Lots of Syrian decor/furniture felt homey. You are welcomed by the aroma of freshly baked naan. It's like you're transported there! The menu promised a journey through Levantine flavors, and it did not disappoint.We started with the Three-Way Mezza, a perfect sampler of textures and tastes. The spinach kibbeh was a standout--crispy on the outside, packed with a well-seasoned spinach filling inside. The roasted beet hummus was as stunning as it was delicious, with a vibrant pink hue and an ultra-creamy texture. The batata harra, spicy potatoes, brought a welcome heat, perfectly crispy and tossed in fragrant spices.The naan deserves its own mention--warm, pillowy, and just the right amount of chewy.For the main course, I had the Palestinian Msakhan, a delightful twist on the traditional dish. Instead of flatbread, the chicken and sumac filling was encased in crisp filo pastry, creating the perfect contrast of crunch and juiciness. Every bite was packed with sumac's tang and caramelized onions' richness.Dessert was an experience in itself. The Osmeliah was a masterpiece--a delicate balance of crispy filo, fragrant mastic pudding, sweet dates, and ice cream, all topped with airy Arabic cotton candy. The layers of texture and flavors made for a perfect ending.There are goods sold separately in the back, olive oil from Palestine, baked goods which is awesome. Overall, this restaurant captures the heart and soul of Levantine cuisine, delivering bold flavors, comforting textures, and a true taste of home-cooked hospitality. I'll definitely be back.Loved all the food, hats off to Chef Dima. I recommend making reservations! and parking at the 2 hour parking garage right next to Farmers and Merchants Bank called "City Place Lot C." This lot is also very cheap if it runs over 2 hours! :)

Went to this establishment and they did not disappoint. Ambience was amazing and food was savory. Our server, jasmine, was super attentive. Definitely will be coming back.