On an industrial stretch, a block north of Dupont, great food things are happening between the auto-body shops and fish wholesalers. Parallel, a 2018 addition to the strip, is built around a single ingredient: sesame butter. Made on site, it’s whipped into hummus, served with herb falafels, and found in the salad dressings. Tahini is turned electric pink with beets, it’s also smoked (in the fattoush salad), and it’s even steamed into latte form. The family-run restaurant is entirely open-concept. Walk up to the mezzanine for a great view of the sesame press and the indoor herb garden.