A Sumptuous Symphony: Chef Ilan Hall

Like a seasoned maestro conducting a symphony of illustrious musicians, Chef Ilan Hall coaxes together an eclectic mix of fresh ingredients and exotic spices to create savory masterpieces. Each flavor profile he conjures complements the next, imprinting an unforgettable eating experience on the diner’s palate. His Williamsburg, BK restaurant, Esh, has a robust wood-fired grill, and with it, he churns out a host of delicious meals influenced by authentic Israeli & American BBQ delights. The former Top Chef winner also has a vegan spot in LA where all the offerings are prepared from a meat-lover’s perspective. His quickly growing empire even includes forays into film and television. We met up with Chef Ilan on the spacious rooftop of Esh, and covered a variety of topics. See the interview below:

First off, what led you to cooking and the culinary arts in the first place?

I was inspired by my father and my cousin. My father is an amazing cook and always had dinner ready for my family nightly. My cousin is a classically trained chef and had this exciting nomadic life.

Top Chef was definitely a great platform for elevating your career. What was your secret for shining (and excelling) in such a pressure-filled situation?

I treated it like summer camp. I tried to be relaxed and have fun. I don’t think that I was the best cook of the bunch, but I started to understand the competition after the 5th episode.

Your career has taken a very different trajectory than most chefs – did you have a master plan for this or was it being at the right place at the right time?

No master plan. I think it was just a combination of luck and hard work.

Tell us a little bit about your spot, Ramen Hood, in LA – what kind of cuisine and vibe should people expect when they come there?

We do vegan ramen. Everything that we do there is 100% vegan. However we are not vegan. We try to prepare everything from a meat-lovers perspective. The food is rich, satisfying and packed with umami. It’s in Grand Central Market, which is the oldest open-air market in LA.

What about Esh in Williamsburg; It’s a really cool location, especially with the rooftop and the connecting portal to Urban Outfitters. How did the whole concept and space come about; and what are the must-have dishes & drinks to order?

“The smoked lamb with zhoug is a great dish. The Drunk Uncle is my favorite cocktail.”

We really wanted to create a menu that would vibe with the rooftop. We are doing my take on Israeli BBQ. There are dishes that straddle the line between American BBQ and Israeli grill. The smoked lamb with zhoug is a great dish. The Drunk Uncle is my favorite cocktail. It’s a weird combination of whiskey, beer and bitters. Super weird and savory.

If you had give one reason for people to visit Esh when they come to Williamsburg – what would that be?

Better ingredients, better pizza, Papa Johns!

Let’s talk about your on-screen career. You were the star of Knife Fight on The Esquire channel. Are there more seasons coming for that, and what other projects do you have coming up that you can share with us?

I’m always working on new TV projects with my production partners. I produced a great show on Logo called “Food To Get You Laid.”

We’ve heard that you’re a true Hip-Hop head too, and you may or may not have an unhealthy obsession with Cam’ron. Please elaborate.

I think it’s more that Cam has and unhealthy obsession with me. I started the pink movement when I was in high school with my pink, strawberry-scented Emporio Armani sandals. Real pubescent boys wear pink. Dipset.

What about podcasts? Do you have any favorites you listen to while you’re cooking?

My taste in podcasts is pretty diverse. I like to prep with headphones while listening to anything from Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History to Tax Season with Taxstone. Throw in a little WTF with Marc Maron and Nerdist and I’m all set.

So we’ve seen a glimpse of your sneaker collection – the Jordans and the Visvims – what other gems do you have in your stash?

I actually don’t have a large collection like I used to. A couple of Jordans, some Greats, a sprinkle of Nikes, Vans, New Balance, and Gourmets.

Lastly, if you were asked to describe your perfect day in NYC or LA – What would it be?

No matter where I would be, it would involve grilling outside with my wife Ayame, my son Theo and a handful of friends and family. Drinking ice-cold rose and just enjoying a 79˚ degree, low humidity day. We’d be cooking some local fish and vegetables. Possibly a fresh pasta. Listening to a mix of Prince, Jim Jones, NSYNC and Depeche Mode. Sounds pretty perfect to me. In fact, I think I want to do that right now.