A new weekend brunch is coming to NAJA Mediterranean at the Mosaic District in Merrifield, inspired by traditional breakfasts across the Middle East and Mediterranean.
Restaurateur Tariq Alaeddin’s eatery, described as a “love letter from Beirut to America,” is hosting its first weekend brunch tomorrow (Saturday) at 2911 District Avenue.
The new menu features a variety of savory egg scrambles, mezze plates and sweet breakfasts — but the highlight is manoushe, a Levantine flatbread and staple in Lebanon, where Alaeddin and Chef Ibrahim Hamad grew up.
NAJA Mediterranean will have classic manoushe preparations as well as more “creative takes” on the dish, according to a press release. These include the “Garden” with a whipped labneh made of tomato, cucumber and mint, as well as the “NAJA Manoushe” made with halloumi, pesto, tomato and za’atar.
These are joined the menu by egg-forward plates like the sujuk scramble made with spiced sujuk sausage, a grilled halloumi wrap with fresh vegetables and herbs, and the NAJA Breakfast Sandwich topped with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, caramelized onions and chives on buttered brioche.
Some of NAJA’s lunch and dinner items will make a reprisal at brunch, including the restaurant’s herb falafel, fattoush and chicken shawarma wrap. A lineup of dips featuring labneh with za’atar, havuc and muhammara will also be available.
Dishes on the sweeter side, meanwhile, include a brioche French toast with fig jam and whipped labneh, a Greek yogurt fruit parfait and warm dates and labneh, served with honey, toasted pistachios, flakey salt and bread for dipping.
An accompanying cocktail menu offers brunch staples like the mimosa and espresso martini, as well as more inventive libations, such as a za’atar bloody mary and an apricot spritz with apricot liqueur, nectar, sparkling wine and soda water.
The brunch menu will be available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
NAJA Mediterranean opened last September after Rose Previte, the previous owner of the acclaimed Kirby Club restaurant, transferred the business to Alaeddin, a longtime team member.
Renamed in honor of Alaeddin’s Lebanese grandmother, the new restaurant continues to serve up Mediterranean cuisine with special flourishes that pay homage to his family recipes.
