Dubai’s pioneering restaurateur, Evgeny Kuzin and acclaimed Chef Izu Ani have once again partnered to create Alaya, a unique new concept that celebrates the vibrant cuisine of the Mediterranean, featuring Middle Eastern influences.

Alaya was born from Evgeny Kuzin & Chef Izu’s extensive travels and encounters across the Middle East and their desire to pay tribute to the richness and beauty of the region. The latest addition to their ever-expanding portfolio demonstrates a drive to deliver excellence and push boundaries with a creative flair on every project.

Beyond taking each and every guest on a sensorial adventure, Chef Izu’s menu aims to encapsulate the generosity and care the Middle East region is well known for.

Each dish has been designed to create meaningful experiences with carefully selected ingredients and rigorous cooking methods used to combine traditions with a contemporary approach.

All the Alaya dishes call on the magic of fresh herbs and spices, prime meat and seafood; many different kinds of nuts including pine, pistachio, almond and sesame; as well as freekeh, pulses, and plenty of squeezes of lemon, whose presence in Middle Eastern & Mediterranean cuisine is required as much as sunlight. Spices such as cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, cardamom or the lemony flavours of sumac also all leave their distinctive signatures.

Designed by Richard Saunders & Sagrada, Alaya’s interiors also take an integrated approach that interweaves culture, history and high design – aimed at bringing the beauty and worldliness of the Eastern Mediterranean region onto the DIFC dining scene.

Reinterpreting original details like marquetery and traditional tapestry, Alaya boasts rich colors, intricate patterns and textures for a one-of-a-kind hospitality experience.

“Chef Izu and I are long term partners with a shared vision around creating homegrown concepts that will also appeal to an international audience” added Evgeny Kuzin. “Following the expansion of GAIA, ShanghaiME globally and the successful opening of La Maison Ani this year, it is our aim to continue on this path, sharing a new style of cuisine to a wider global audience.”

Commenting on the opening, Chef Izu said: “I am thrilled to be continuing my partnership with Evgeny to create another unique homegrown dining concept in Dubai. Alaya is our tribute to the Middle East, born from a desire to bring an entirely new culinary experience to the DIFC scene. Our inspiration comes from a combination of our extensive travels across the Eastern Mediterranean and our deep affection for the region, resulting in an eclectic concept driven by creativity, generosity and honesty.”

Alaya is open for reservations from Wednesday 27th July. For more information, please visit www.alaya-dubai.com or call +971 (0)4 570 6289.

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