Along Ventura Boulevard, shops and restaurants crowd the sidewalk, and each storefront seems to blend with the dull haze rising from the blackened asphalt of the street. A café with a bright, striped awning reading “Leo & Lily” hangs over a dozen multi-colored tables.

This café is the creation of owners Guy Zaradez and wife Maureen. He opened several restaurants in Israel before moving to the United States, where he opened Leo & Lily with his wife. The name of the restaurant was derived from the Zaradez’s son, Leo, and their niece, Lily. Every aspect of the restaurant was handled with care, from naming the establishment to creating a menu that is both healthy and delicious.

“[The goal is] to serve fresh, high quality [food] as organic as possible, [yet] still be reasonably priced,” said Zaradez. “We put emphasis on quality. I think that is what makes [Leo & Lily] different.”

The Zaradez’s inspiration comes from European and Mediterranean cuisine, which they incorporate into the food of their restaurant. Leo & Lily’s most popular dishes are the Pub Burger and the L&L Chicken Salad. They also have several signature treats, including the Chocolate Strawberry Tart or assorted macaroons, and the bakery serves a full selection of European coffees, each cup made to order and teaming with flavor.

“[The best part is] just meeting great people because we are very hands on,” said Zaradez. “[My husband and I] are here all the time. We go table [to] table, and we introduce ourselves and make sure that everybody is happy.”

Leo & Lily’s delicious food and welcoming atmosphere make it unlike any other restaurant in the valley. With its culinary intuition and dedication to making the customer feel at home, the restaurant will continue to prosper for years to come. •