The Lower East Side Gets a New Lebanese Restaurant

Lil’ Gem opens tonight over at 29 Clinton Street, a Lebanese-inspired restaurant from restaurateur Lesly Bernard and chef Melissa O’Donnell who flipped the space from what used to be Thema on Clinton that closed in February.

Look for mezze as well as family-style plates with dishes like hummus, muhammara, and shawarma. Also look for flatbreads like ricotta cheese with mission fig jam, pickled plums, and arugula as well as gluten-free options like raw falafel with shaved carrot slaw.

A player behind Tillman's and Mr. Jones as well as an original Pravda partner, Bernard revamped the 40-seat dining room with v, aqua shutters, and a marble-topped of-the-moment standing table. Check it out:

Grid View

• Dips and flatbread
• Fig arugula flatbread
• Lamb kibbe
• Lamb shawarma
• Raw falafel