Eastern sweets

This is the section that makes Layali a Levantine cafe rather than a dessert bar. Warbat, layered pastry with pistachio, walnut or cream, sold by the three. Lady fingers, also by the three. Lady bracelet. Halwet jibn, the sweet cheese roll that most people have only had in Beirut or Damascus. Maajouka, and creamed rice delight with pistachio. If you grew up with these you will know immediately whether a place makes them properly. If you did not, order the warbat with pistachio and a Turkish coffee, and start there.

Less sweet than you expect

Rhode Island has a real Middle Eastern community and very few places to sit down with the desserts that go with it. That is the gap this tray fills, and it is also a good introduction if this is unfamiliar. The pastries are less sweet than American desserts, built on nuts, honey, syrup and cheese rather than frosting, and they are meant to be eaten slowly with coffee. Halwet jibn is soft and mild, usually eaten with syrup and pistachio, and it is the one to try if you want something you cannot get elsewhere nearby.

Baklava, warbat and the family

People ask for baklava. The warbat and the lady fingers are the same family: layered pastry, nuts, syrup. What is on the tray on a given day is best asked at the counter, and trays for gatherings, Ramadan and Eid are arranged through the catering page or by phone.

From the same oven: Golden Bites

The savoury pastries come out of the same oven, and a few of them are sweet enough to belong here. The Nutella and Banana pie is the crossover. The rest of the Golden Bites, za'atar pie, cheese pie, spinach pie, muhammara pie, veggie roll, mini pizza and lahmajoun, are what to order before dessert, and they are covered on the savoury page. Both sections are on the menu below with prices.

With coffee

The standard afternoon across most of the Levant is a Turkish coffee and a plate of something from this tray. Syrian tea or yansoon work as well. The coffee page has the whole hot list.