Elegant Mediterranean cuisine in upscale digs that feel more San Francisco than suburban is part of the vision behind Amara, a new restaurant in Belmont serving cuisine from Turkey to Morocco.
Ajay Walia and Reena Miglani — the Peninsula couple behind Rasa in Burlingame and Saffron — love to travel to the Mediterranean but hadn’t had the chance to vacation in a couple of years. So they decided to build a Mediterranean oasis close to home. On Jan. 21, they opened Amara, pairing California bounty and Mediterranean flair, with a relaxed atmosphere conducive to lingering over small plates.
So far, popular mains include the branzino, served whole with roasted lemon chermoula; the roasted lamb rack served with herb salad and green zhoug; and a saffron-marinated roast half chicken, paired with charred Persian cucumber and tzatziki.
“The Mediterranean has a deep history, rich traditions and a generosity of spirit,” says executive chef Bret Tullis. “We want to honor that ethos through a playful menu utilizing the best of seasonal products.”
Their wine menu includes not just French and Californian wines but rare wines from Morocco and Greece as well. And the cocktail program, designed by Jonathan Adler, the beverage director behind craft cocktails at Shinji’s in Manhattan, includes 10 cocktails (and four non-alcoholic options) with ingredients such as saffron-infused tequila or grape leaf-infused vodka. Meanwhile, desserts, by pastry chef Linda Ho, include labneh cheesecake with pomegranate molasses and olive oil ganache.
Expect to see an indoor garden with a water element this spring.
Details: Open 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at 1015 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont; amararestaurants.com.