Profile

Thankfully not, as you might surmise, a modish Canadian-water bar, Naya is a contemporary Lebanese restaurant, with a sleek design and traditional menu that owner Hady Kfoury hopes to replicate at future franchise locations. Kfoury, a front-of-the-house veteran of Daniel and Payard, operates three restaurants in Beirut. That’s also the birthplace of his chef, Rafic Nehme, whose menu includes a $17 lunch prix fixe option: three mini meze (from a selection of tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghannouj, and more), and a choice of a gourmet sandwich. Should you wish to expand your Middle Eastern–cuisine horizons, however, opt for broiled striped bass with spicy tahini, walnuts, garlic, and cilantro, or pomegranate-sauced halloumi cheese—two dishes you’re unlikely to encounter at your neighborhood falafel shack. — Robin Raisfeld and Rob Patronite

Related Stories

Featured In

• Restaurant Openings: Lugo Caffè, AQ Kafé, Naya Mezze & Grill, and Bistrouge (10/13/08)