Laya Restaurant, a concept from Sunset Entertainment Group (SEG), appears to be preparing to open a new location at 701 Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
The company’s second location looks to be opening in the former home of Sugar Factory, located within Theatre Box, according to documents submitted to the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality. While this is the latest from SEG, Laya is from executive chef Charbel Hayek, a TV personality who participated in Top Chef in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he competed and won the fifth season of “Top Chef Middle East & North Africa.”
Hayek and SEG have succeeded greatly with its Hollywood location at 1430 N. Cahuenga Boulevard. Laya transports diners to an open-air market, filling the space with earthy, natural materials and handcrafted accents. Hayek brings Middle Eastern cuisine with a California influence to the heart of Hollywood. The restaurant now appears to be making its way into San Diego, opening in an extremely popular area full of other restaurants and clubs. Customers can expect Middle Eastern fare with a California influence served in a casual setting.
SEG is an independent entertainment company specializing in developing and managing artists, producers, songwriters, and engineers, as well as marketing, licensing, production, and distribution of music for these talented individuals. Its venture in the restaurant industry is made possible with the help of Hayek, who is also part of the Ladyhawk team.
Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, Chef Charbel fell in love with cooking at a young age, following his mother’s footsteps around the kitchen. After attending culinary school at the French School of Excellence, he traveled to Los Angeles to hone his skills, working at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Mélisse under Chef Josiah Citrin for nearly three years. Now, he’s helping the company expand Laya.
