PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 61 {food coloring} tentional about the art of hospitality. It’s about attention to details so our customers know this is a special place.” The Mediterranean menu and design aesthetic may seem like a departure from their other eateries, but for them, it felt like a natural choice. “We wanted to do something different,” Ajay says. “We’ve always loved traveling to the Mediterranean as a family.” “We feel like life goes at a simpler, slower pace there,” recalls Reena. “The way they present their food is with the least amount of treatment using the freshest ingredients so you can taste their true flavors. That’s what we’re trying to do here at Amara.” Initially, the restaurant’s large footprint gave Reena a bit of anxiety. “The space is so big, so I didn’t want it all to look the same, like a cafeteria,” she states. “We wanted to bring design elements of the Mediterranean region in a subtle way to every room, so we needed different shapes, colors and materials. When I closed my eyes, all these elements worked together, but the night before all the furniture was going to be delivered, I was very afraid. What if it looked like a circus?” But just as she had originally envisioned, it all works together perfectly, creating a relaxed yet stunning aesthetic that transports guests to a different environment. As a result, the space is perfect for intimate date nights, a girls’ night out, or a large party celebrating a milestone. “Now that the restaurant is open and people appreciate it, I feel like people are saying my baby is so beautiful,” Reena says excitedly. “Maybe I’m just here for the compliments!” The large bar with its stunning jade-green marble top and inventive drinks make it a great afterwork meeting spot. And the menu of surprising spreads, sharable small plates and hearty entrees offers a variety of items to suit a multitude of tastes. “My mom’s favorite is the muhammara,” Reena says happily. It’s a spread with roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate molasses. “When she comes by, she says she wants her own and licks the bowl when no one is looking.” And while Ajay says he’s a sucker for the restaurant’s roasted rack of lamb, Reena has her own favorites. “I like the black hummus
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