food &
drink
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dream team E
This trio is Littler’s recipe for success B Y REN EE AMB ROSO PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHAEL SIMPS O N
Elizabeth wasn’t the only new face was ready for a to greet diners when Littler’s longchange. She led a anticipated reopening took place in March small army of staff as after a two-year hiatus, which was broken the executive chef only by intermittent periods of takeout at Sierra Mar, the meals and to-go “provisions” boxes. Pastry restaurant attached chef Tanya Matta is a fresh talent to some, to the luxurious Post but many Durhamites recall the tempting Ranch Inn on the coast of Big Sur, hand pies, scones and cupcakes – not to California, but found herself itching to mention the breakfast, brunch and lunch “go somewhere littler – pun intended.” options – she crafted as the proprietor Her perfect match awaited at Littler, of DaisyCakes. Tanya sold the Foster a 36-seat hidden gem on Parrish Street business in 2015 and moved on Street. “Elizabeth just felt like the to work as the executive pastry chef at right fit from the first conversation the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club we had,” says Gray Brooks, who cobefore filling roles at restaurants across owns the restaurant with Cara Stacy the country. She joined the LittleJackToro and Jay Owens. The Blowing Rock restaurant group in August 2021 to head native packed her bags and left the the pastry program at Pizzeria Toro, Jack Blistered zucchini topped with buttermilk smoked trout roe sauce, marigold, nasturtium, California sunshine for her home state Tar & The Colonel’s Daughter and Littler. lemon and malt vinegar. last December – a transition that was, “We’re really fortunate to have someone she admits, shocking considering the who can craft desserts that match what change in scale of her role. Still, she was eager to bring her own the team [at Littler] is doing,” Gray says. “It’s such a high bar.” spin to the intimate eatery, and found a “like-minded” partner in And what they’re doing, evidenced by an ever-full roster of general manager Adrienne Stacy, who’s overseen Littler’s daily reservations, is knocking people’s socks off. operations since 2016. Elizabeth dove headfirst into collaboration Elizabeth, Tanya and Adrienne all characterize Littler the same with Gray on a reimagined menu that would bring the restaurant’s way: an intimate space that you stumble upon and encounter a meal long-standing farm-to-table philosophy into a new era. that’s revelatory. lizabeth Murray
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