Before the Zahav-ites' big fact- (and fat-) trip to Israel, the partners have many loose ends to tie up.
Here's one: What will the banquettes be covered with? Cook holds out a swatch of the selected fabric. (He's been crinkling the piece in his hands to replicate the distressed finish that he hopes the banquettes will have.)
Drywalling has been proceeding quickly and efficiently, says construction guy Ofer. Shortly after the city gave its all-clear on the electrical work, he and his crew began putting up half-inch slabs. The two views you see here will be The Quarter, the fancier room at Zahav. The lower photo shows what appears to be a large wine rack. That's exactly what it will be.
At the bottom, Ofer's son mugs with the makings of a bar. The pile of wood consists of large timbers from an old barn. Each was hauled into the restaurant by a team of very strong guys.
