Operated since 2004 by a native of Zahle in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley — a region renowned for its maza traditions — Maisa Lebanese Cuisine rebranded from its former Aladdin Hillcrest identity in early 2026 while retaining the same kitchen and generational family recipes. The charbroiled kebab program and house-made mezze spreads trace directly to Bekaa Valley cooking traditions, a generational approach to Eastern Mediterranean cuisine shared with Alexi's Greek Cafe on the Hillcrest dining corridor. The restaurant expanded its 3900 Vermont St footprint in 2006 to meet demand and recently completed a full interior remodel under the Maisa brand. Second-generation kitchen leadership now directs the falafel, shawarma, and fatayer production alongside a fresh pita program baked per order — a bread-centric commitment also upheld by Prager Brothers Artisan Breads in the same neighborhood. The full meza platter assembling hummus, baba ganoush, dolma, tabbouleh, falafel, and kebabs remains the kitchen's most comprehensive single-ticket spread.