Back in May, New Land Enterprises announced that an “upscale, elevated Mediterranean restaurant” called āya was coming to the ground floor of its mass timber Ascent MKE apartment building at 700 E. Kilbourn Ave. “Drawing inspiration from the sun-drenched coastal regions of the Middle East, āya’s menu will take guests on a culinary journey with every dish,” read a press release. āya will be the newest restaurant from Saffron owners Fatima and Hanish Kumar.
Now, license applications filed with the city are shedding some additional light on the highly anticipated downtown restaurant. When is āya expected to open? The applications list January 1, 2026 as the proposed opening date. When will āya be open? Proposed opening hours are 9 a.m. – midnight, seven days a week.
More importantly, what will āya’s menu look like? Well, here’s a proposed, preliminary, sample, not-at-all-set-in-stone menu!
“We are thrilled to introduce a new era of Mediterranean dining with āya,” the Kumars said in the May press release. “Our goal is to create a space where guests can connect over exceptional food and drink, experiencing the rich culture and flavors of the Middle East in a fresh, elevated, and truly celebratory way. āya will whisk you away to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, offering a taste of centuries-old recipes, with our signature twist of elegance and flair.”
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