Aya propose des préparations libanaises authentiques axées sur les techniques traditionnelles de grillade au charbon de bois et des profils d'épices aromatiques. La clientèle découvre une sélection variée de viandes brochettes, incluant le shish taouk tendre et le kafta assaisonné, accompagnés de mezzés froids classiques tels que le houmous onctueux et le baba ganousch. Le menu privilégie des ingrédients frais intégrés dans des plats robustes et savoureux qui illustrent l'héritage culinaire du Moyen-Orient. Le taboulé vibrant et les salades fattouche croustillantes apportent des textures essentielles pour compléter les protéines grillées. Chaque assiette témoigne d'un engagement envers des méthodes de préparation traditionnelles préservant l'intégrité des plats régionaux. L'espace de restauration présente une esthétique fonctionnelle et directe, conçue pour assurer un service efficace aux clients recherchant des saveurs constantes et la maîtrise des fondamentaux de la cuisine levantine.
Aya propose une expérience gastronomique haut de gamme dans un cadre élégant, mettant à l'honneur une cuisine libanaise authentique et savoureuse, préparée avec des ingrédients de qualité et un véritable savoir-faire. Le restaurant offre des portions généreuses et fraîches, magnifiquement présentées, avec des plats allant des mezzés classiques et grillades au charbon de bois jusqu'à une variété de menus dégustation délicieux. Les convives apprécient régulièrement l'atmosphère chic et apaisante ainsi que le décor magnifique et spacieux, ce qui en fait une destination idéale pour les soirées en amoureux comme pour les grandes réceptions ou les événements d'entreprise. Le service est souvent décrit comme chaleureux, professionnel et attentionné, le tout complété par une sélection soignée de cocktails et de vins raffinés. Bien que certains clients soulignent que l'expérience représente un certain budget, beaucoup considèrent que la qualité exceptionnelle des plats, l'hospitalité accueillante et l'environnement sophistiqué en valent largement la peine, faisant de Aya une destination culinaire incontournable.
We have a feeling that many West Islanders are not aware that we have a magnificent upscale Lebanese restaurant right here in Kirkland & thought I throw them out a little love. My husband & I have been to Aya ( 16977 Autoroute Transcanadienne…corner of St. Charles) several times & it's always a beautiful date night out…without the hassle of driving downtown…potholes, traffic, finding/paying for parking, etc. The food is constently fresh, flavorful, cooked with skill, & presented with attention to aesthetics, the service is professional & warm, & the atmosphere is surprisingly chic. They offer hot & cold mezzas, charcoal grille items, a gorgeous full bar of cocktails & wines, & a variety of tasting menus. Some of our favorite items are the hummus, baba ghannouj, kibbe nayyeh (beef tartare), grilled octopus, grilled rack of lamb with roasted potatoes, & their homemade freshly baked pita (they bring to you hot). Although we have not experienced a private event or wedding there, we've seen the pix, & what a WOW way to make a fancy affair! The owner, Maurice, puts his heart & soul into his business, & you can feel it while you're there. Now that the snow has cleared, they offer terrace dining as well. We've turned on so many friends & family members who have also fallen in love with Aya, so felt compelled to put it out there to WIC. Hope you enjoy it too! Now I'm hungry, damnit, & they're closed on Sundays! 😉
If you are looking for authentic Lebanese cuisine, Aya is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is welcoming, but the food is the real star of the show.
Everything we ordered tasted incredibly fresh & high-quality. You can tell they use premium ingredients, & the flavors are perfectly balanced-exactly what you hope for with traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Whether it's the hummus, the grilled meats, or the fresh salads, every bite was delicious.
Beyond the meal, the service was top-notch. The owner & the entire staff were remarkably kind & attentive, making us feel like welcome guests in their own home. It's rare to find a place that hits the mark on both exceptional food & genuine hospitality.
I highly recommend Aya to anyone in the area. We will definitely be back!
Aya Experience was a terrific choice for a Friday-night business dinner (2 pax).
We shared several appetizers - grilled octopus, hummus, fattoush, & arnabeet - all in generous portions, beautifully presented, & full of flavour. The sommelier elevated the experience by sharing thoughtful insights into the Lebanese wine industry & guiding us to delicious glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon, while our attentive & knowledgeable waiter offered spot-on recommendations throughout.
The vibe & atmosphere were warm & inviting, ideal for conversation & connection. We'll gladly return - next time to explore the main courses.
Overall I had a great experience at Aya. The restaurant is huge with nice decor, it is not cheap but quality & service is on par. On the night I went it was pretty empty aside from what I think was a corporate event upstairs but it was also a random Tuesday.
Me & my group of 3 went out for dinner on a somewhat rainy Tuesday night.
All night the service was excellent, staff is friendly, attentive & knowledgeable being able to explain what a lot of these dishes were to us.
We started with cocktails, trying the Pomegranate Mojito & the New York Sour, both were good.
For the appetizers we tried the Kebbe, Grilled Octopus + Salada, Soujouk (beef sausage) & the grilled Halloumi. The standouts were the Grilled Octupus & salad for sure, both were exremely flavorful & might be the best grilled Octopus I had in a very long time. The Halloumi was also great, not being too salty & the Soujouk was very good as well. We were also given warm pita to pair with the apps. The Kebbe we found a little bland, I would have skipped that one next time.
At this point for the mains we were all pretty stuffed. We ordered the Sea Bass, Salmon & the Beef Kefka. The presentations continued to be great & all were delicious but we over did it on the apps so most of that was brought home.
I would say best bet is to do 0.5 to 1 app per person if you were going to do a main, or just order 2 apps per person & skip the mains.
& then for dessert, cause there is always room for dessert. We had the Creme Brulee & Layali Lubnan which is a wafer topped with a ashta/cream & was light & delicious.
They also offer a tasting menu ranging from $70 to $100 which could be a good option.
I would definitely go again, it is not cheap but again for quality like this it is worth it. Cocktails or a glass of wine around about $15, the apps range from $20 to $30 & the mains from $30- $45.
When you walk into the venue, the interior design is breathtaking! The arrangement of tables allow for an intimate dining experience. Definitely a first date restaurant. The four rambunctious children at the next table were almost bearable at the distance from our table. Had it been anywhere else, we would have asked for another table or left. Our waiter was very professional (Gibbys should send some of their waiters here for training). The food was beautifully presented but not stellar. My Bass arrived 10 minutes after my husband's meal had arrived. Our wonderful Waiter gave a detailed description of the Bass that I could almost visualize the Fisherman reeling it in from the Mediterranean. I was extremely disappointed on what I had received. One portion was rubbery, lukewarm, & spongy. The other portion was mediocre. I was expecting the fish to be grilled & I even asked if the filets had been frozen. I ate the fresh one & even pointed out the difference between the skins/flesh of the fish. I was not expecting any reduction of price but for the time difference in main meal arrivals & elevated price I would have expected a manager to apologize for the delay (10 minutes is excessive) or an explanation/inquiry on why I thought the quality of the fish was not appreciated.
