Aya is the fifth restaurant of Chef Izu Ani, a leading talent in the city’s food scene. Behind the popular Carine, Fika, The Lighthouse, Izu Brasserie and Gaia, he helped to propel Dubai stalwarts La Petit Maison and La Serre to huge popularity as their opening head chef.
His newest dining destination is Aya, a restaurant that takes the place of Galvin Dubai in CityWalk. CityWalk is an upscale destination with a boutique feel to it, but thanks to its largely outdoor design, the summer months can find it devoid of the kind of crowd that gives retailers and food and beverage outlets their necessary lifeblood. Perhaps the addition of one of the city’s most charismatic and well-regarded chefs will change that.
Aya, according to its publicity material, is “where tradition meets gastronomic creations” and if the slick concepts and delivery of Ani’s other outlets are anything to go by, it should deliver on both counts and more.
A cherry blossom tree welcomes diners to the space that nods to Asian style – Aya means beautiful in Japanese – and the surroundings are certainly that, with an indoor-outdoor terrace vibe and neutral palette punctuated by pink. Dishes on the menu include Wagyu Sirloin with Miso Caper Butter, Spanish Octopus with Red Yuzukosho Glaze and Coriander Emulsion. The menu offers a combination of soups, starters, light bites as well as rolls, buns and mains and desserts, each prepared and presented.
For reservations: 04 343 3330, [email protected]