Today, Lounes owns and runs Ella Funt, a Neo-bistro offering an eclectic take on French cuisine. Located on 78 East 4th Street, around the corner from the Bowery, the restaurant and its welcoming atmosphere pay homage to the transgressive, rich cultural history of New York. “The East Village is definitely one of the most interesting areas in the city. Here, small businesses are still around, as is the mix of people that is all but disappearing elsewhere”, he says. Still, Lounes admits to loving all of New York, from the elegant sidewalks of the Upper East Side to the cool vibes of Chinatown. “I do love the clash of styles”, he says. “And the non-judgmental attitude of New Yorkers. You could be wearing the most ludicrous outfit in the subway at 7 A.M., and no one will so much as look up from their newspaper.”