Hospitality group CH Projects has unveiled its latest San Diego restaurant, Leila, in the city’s trendy North Park neighborhood.
The dining concept pays homage to founder Arsalun Tafazoli’s roots, drawing inspiration from Morocco, Iran, and more.
As the child of first-generation immigrants who fled revolution in Iran, Tafazoli spent much of his childhood traveling across the Middle East.
From Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon to Turkey, Iraq, and Iran, Tafazoli witnessed “ancient beauty, art, and history amidst sectarian conflict, occupation, and government corruption,” he shares.
“The meals and hospitality I experienced gave me a deeper understanding of our shared qualities, showing that our differences, especially around food, transcend the borders drawn by people,” he continues. “Leila is a small personal tribute honoring the beauty and traditions of a region that helped form me.”
Leila’s rich interior design
Stepping beneath the crimson Farsi inscription that graces Leila’s entrance, guests are transported into a captivating world crafted by CH Projects’ in-house design team.
The interiors reflect the bustling night markets of Morocco with an 18-foot water feature, intricate millwork, and walls adorned with tapestries and tiles. The main dining room, meanwhile, incorporates the work of skilled craftsmen from across the region.
An interplay of light and shadow cast by a starry ceiling and fixtures sourced from Moroccan bazaars further sets the scene. Plaster columns flank the main bar, while a custom kitchen island is anchored by a showpiece custom clay oven, which took more than nine months to build and ship from the UK to San Diego.
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