The mysteries of a much-longed-for new restaurant are about to be revealed. Āya – the new Mediterranean restaurant anchoring the Ascent MKE high-rise (700 E. Kilbourn Ave.) – now has an official opening date. It’s Feb. 23.
This is the second restaurant from the owners of Saffron Modern Indian Dining (223 N. Water St.) in the Third Ward. During the early stages of the project, co-owner Fatima Kumar talked about her refined vision for Āya’s decor. She reiterated that aesthetic in a recent phone call: It’s “a very elegant blend of the Middle East and the Mediterranean,” she says. “Imagine terra-cotta vases and a lot of greenery. And at the same time, big quartz countertops and gold details everywhere.”
Saffron, while a very different restaurant, has a similar elevated aesthetic. But what Āya has that Saffron does not is a chef’s counter and a private dining space. The bar is 30 feet long, says Kumar.
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The menu will include mezze (appetizers), skewered meats and a raw bar. “We’re trying to take pieces of all over the Mediterranean and the Middle East and kind of piece them together in our own way,” says Kumar.
The drink menu will showcase “high-end wines,” including an “extensive” reserve list and curated by-the-glass pours. Another emphasis is the cocktail program – “You know we love our cocktails,” Kumar says.
Āya will be open initially just for dinner, with lunch and brunch to slowly roll out later on. The restaurant is now accepting reservations for Feb. 23 and beyond.
Dining and Cooking