Aya Cookhouse Garners Praise in First Review

Tony and Kelly Chu opened Aya Cookhouse at the end of April, and the buzz has stayed relatively low. However, that may change today, as their first glowing review hit stands in the City Paper.

Writer Kelly Rae Smith, already a fan of the Chu's first establishment (Red Orchids), visits the Mount Pleasant eatery with friends and tries to sample as much as possible. "Unlike Red Orchids, the food menu at Aya is simplified and short, and we were thankful for that," she notes. From the crispy scallion cakes to the sautéed shrimp, the group enjoys almost every bite. There's a few qualms about pork bun dough and aging lettuce, but for the most part, it's all positive.

Smith concludes, "I'll definitely be back to sample the family-style dishes the next time I get a craving for something good accompanied with smiling, attentive service and unpretentious ambience."
· Aya Cookhouse now open [CP]
· The Asian focused restaurant rises above shopping-mall stigma [CP]
· Aya Cookhouse [Official]
[Photo: Aya Cookhouse]