Karam II Restaurant, New York

Pitas wrap their soft shells around crispy falafel, whose sizzling heat is quickly extinguished by creamy dollops of hummus. Sharp skewers gather marinated cubes of beef and lamb, holding them captive over charcoal grills. Each of these dishes emerges from Karam Restaurant’s Lebanon-inspired kitchens alongside a slate of spinach pies, stuffed peppers, grape-leaf sandwiches, and grilled cuts of shawarma. Comestibles can be enjoyed in-house, or toted away via take-out or delivery for at-home savoring or to utilize in all-pita performances of The Epic of Gilgamesh.