About Us
Safta’s Table is the latest concept by Pomegranate Hospitality and Chef Alon Shaya. “Safta”, meaning Grandmother in Hebrew, is an ode to Chef Alon’s own grandmother. Located in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans, You’ll find comforting and healthy Mediterranean-inspired foods in a relaxed setting for dine-in, takeout, or delivery.
Locations
129 Allen Toussaint Suite 103, New Orleans is our first and only Safta’s Table location. But keep an eye on this space because we have more locations coming soon!
Press
Jan 12, 2026Dec 29, 2025May 1, 2025Mar 27, 2025
In 2017, Alon and his wife Emily founded Pomegranate Hospitality with a mission to create a space where meaningful, lasting relationships are created, community engagement prospers, cultural differences are celebrated, and personal and professional growth of the team are weighed with equal measure. Mutual respect, equality, and fostering a comfortable environment for all to grow and thrive are among Pomegranate Hospitality’s core values.
Alon Shaya
Alon Shaya is Chef-Partner of Pomegranate Hospitality, which includes Saba in New Orleans, Safta in Denver, and both Miss River and Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. Born in Israel, raised in Philadelphia, and a proud New Orleanian, Alon has always had a deep love and appreciation for food and the singular way restaurants anchor their communities.
Alon, a multiple James Beard Foundation award-winner, was named "Best Chef, South" in 2015, and his restaurant won "Best New Restaurant" the following year. He was named one of the "50 People Who Are Changing the South" by Southern Living and one of the "50 Most Influential Jews in America" by The Forward.
Emily Shaya
Emily Shaya is the Co-Founder and Director of New Projects for Pomegranate Hospitality, an award-winning group with critically acclaimed restaurants in New Orleans and Denver. Emily brings her background in entrepreneurship, real estate development, and finance to the restaurant group, where she oversees strategic growth. As Director of New Projects, Emily manages expansion opportunities and works alongside the team to develop new projects from inception through opening.
In 2018, Emily opened Saba in New Orleans and Safta in Denver with her partner and husband, Chef Alon Shaya. In 2020, Pomegranate Hospitality partnered with Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans to introduce Miss River and Chandelier Bar. Miss River was named a “Best New Restaurant in America” by Esquire the same year.
Like Alon, Emily also enjoys time in the kitchen and is known for her iconic red beans and rice which have been featured in Southern Living, Food & Wine, Eater, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate, Atlanta Journal Constitution, among many others.
Emily is a native of Calhoun, Georgia and a graduate of Tulane University, where she earned both her BA and MBA with a specialization in entrepreneurship. She currently lives in New Orleans with Alon, their daughter Ruth, and dog, Ceci.
Our Restaurants
SABA is Pomegranate Hospitality's flagship restaurant. Meaning Grandfather in Hebrew, Saba is located in Uptown New Orleans. Grandfathers have many stories to tell about a life’s worth of experiences; Saba wants to tell them through food and drink.
SAFTA, meaning Grandmother in Hebrew, is located in the RiNo neighborhood of Denver. Safta is an ode to all of the grandmothers who have worked to create a path for their families and the vibrant experiences they have encountered along the way.
MISS RIVER, is Alon Shaya's “love letter to Louisiana,” based on his vast experience of the local culture and cuisine in his nearly 20 years as a resident. As the signature lobby-level restaurant of our Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, this ingredient-driven restaurant pays tribute to New Orleans grand dining, showcasing Shaya’s spirited take on beloved local dishes, while providing surprise and fun to the dining experience.
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