The team behind Mission + Market and Tre Vele on Thursday unveiled more details for their planned Lebanese eatery, Zakia. Serving as Partner and Executive Chef, Ian Winslade alongside brothers Ryan and Jonathan Akly, will open the restaurant in early summer 2022.
Zakia first entered permitting with the City of Atlanta in August 2021 as first reported by What Now Atlanta. It will be located at 3699 Lenox Rd Atlanta, housed in the Modera Prominence development which traded hands earlier this year.
The concept and namesake for the restaurant is inspired by the Akly’s grandmother, Zakia, with family roots in Lebanon and the Middle East. Zakia will feature both classic and modern sharable mezze and chargrilled meat and seafood influenced by the Mediterranean and centered around modern Lebanese cuisine as the menu incorporates a twist on family recipes that the brothers grew up eating.
“I am really excited to dive back into the flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean that I experienced early in my career and expand upon that while bringing out the deep, rich Lebanese culture and drawing inspiration from meals the Akly’s grandmother made for them growing up that have been passed down from generation to generation,” Winslade said in a press release.
Tony Akly of Restaurants Consulting Group was born and raised throughout the Middle East and uses his years of experience to create one-of-a-kind space blending elements of classic and modern Middle Eastern design.
Zakia will feature 6,000+ square feet with a dining room capacity of 150 including 12 bar seats as well as a bar lounge area that seats 30. Zakia will offer open-air dining for guests to enjoy with an open kitchen to the dining room featuring a large pita oven. The space will showcase multiple private dining areas including a second-floor private room that will accommodate parties from 10-60 people.
“I love the fresh vegetables and sharp spices we use in our Lebanese cuisine including leafy green herbs, zesty lemon and garlic,” Jonathan Akly said. “Chef Ian’s culinary background will allow him to hone in on the aromatic and earthy aspects of this modern menu incorporating Levant techniques and offering a one-of-a-kind experience to the Atlanta area.”
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