Aya

Cynthia Salgado

2 weeks ago

Service was spectacular 👌 food was even better. Good variety on the menu. Stepped outside my palette and was not disappointed Would dine again and again!

Arturo Navarrete

a month ago

The only reason this isn’t a 5-star review is the additional 3% credit card surcharge. A high-end establishment like this ought to factor processing fees directly into their menu pricing. Virtually everyone pays with plastic nowadays—especially the demographic dining here. It’s been years since I last carried cash. Discovering this extra fee was a frustrating surprise. It feels a lot like the "optional but expected" 20% tip standard. Just fold it straight into the menu prices! Fess aside, the food was great. We opted for a spread of small plates to share: * Scallop ceviche * Octopus * Beef kofta * Falafel * Lamb skewer * Hummus All of the skewers were meant for sharing, and every single one was delicious. The whole family had a wonderful time sampling the variety of flavors. We also ordered the Braised Lamb Shank with rice, which turned out to be my 8-year-old son’s favorite. The meat was juicy, tender, and falling off the bone—though a side of yogurt sauce would have made it even better. Strictly from a culinary standpoint, I left very satisfied. Will I return? Maybe down the road, but not anytime soon. Would I recommend it? It’s a 50/50 split, and I’ll definitely be warning my friends about that extra 3% fee.

LisaLisa

2 months ago

Dined at Aya for the first time tonight, and we were thoroughly impressed by the culinary experience from start to finish. The complimentary warm olives as an amuse-bouche were a wonderful touch and a great way to begin the evening. We started with the Fig cocktail, but found the melon liqueur to be a bit overpowering and overly sweet for what should have been a well-balanced pre-dinner drink. The tuna tartare was exceptionally fresh, and the rice crisps added the perfect texture. The Mezze Sampler is worth the trip alone, offering a variety of unique and beautifully prepared flavors that many diners may not have experienced before. The Dukkah Prawns were absolutely spectacular and were the highlight of the meal. The lamb kebab had an unusual, heavily spiced texture that wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't something I'd be eager to order again. Overall, Aya is absolutely worth its salt. The service was impeccable, the food was thoughtfully prepared, and the atmosphere is simply breathtaking. The reason for my 4-star rating instead of 5 has nothing to do with the food or service. We had a 5:00 p.m. reservation, arrived at 4:45, and found the doors locked. The restaurant didn't open until 5:01 p.m., by which time about ten guests were waiting outside. When the doors finally opened, everyone rushed in at once, making it feel more like festival seating than the start of an upscale dining experience. I completely understand the need for a firm opening time, but opening the bar at 4:30 would allow early guests to enjoy a cocktail, relax in your beautiful space, and begin the evening on a more welcoming note. It's a small change that would greatly enhance an otherwise outstanding experience. We'll definitely be back.

Rasika Viswanathan

5 months ago

This place feels super bougie when you walk in! Definitely recommend a dressier choice of attire (jeans and a cute top should work though). I also loved all of their glassware and serveware. I liked their mocktails - I wasn’t a huge fan of the labaneh, but the Layla was refreshing. The food was solid. The muhammara and the halloumi were standouts, although everything was very good. We didn’t try any entrees because we felt like sharing tapas style between 4 people worked well and let us try many things. Among desserts, the pistachio tiramisu was a solid favorite. The mango baklava was more inspired by a baklava in concept, but was delicious nonetheless and I appreciated that it wasn’t super sweet.

Jesse Sanchez

5 months ago

Absolutely gorgeous interior,a very rich feel. The staff are well versed, detail oriented and ready at all times. They met our needs through all of our dinning experience. The food are pieces of art and beautifully arranged. Great flavor and rich in flavor. They also have a wide variety of drinks, from craft beer to incredible specialty drinks. Truly a great great experience through and through. Thank you a wonderful time.