ROHNERT PARK, CA – AYA, a new rooftop restaurant from Chef Roy Ellamar, has opened at Graton Resort & Casino in Sonoma County. The menu blends Filipino and Hawaiian flavors with Northern California ingredients and seasonality. Salt-baked snapper in a shiso salt crust, fireplace short rib smoked for 12 hours, and tempura soft shell crab headline the menu, served alongside sweeping views of the Sonoma Hills.
At AYA’s core is a 40-acre farm that supplies hyper-seasonal produce driving the menu day by day. Defined by live-fire cooking, layered umami and thoughtful sourcing, the menu reflects Ellamar’s culinary perspective shaped by his Hawaiian upbringing and time in Michelin-starred kitchens.
“AYA is a dream come to life for me as a chef,” said Chef Ellamar. “I’ve created a menu that reflects where I come from while honoring the ingredients of Northern California. I’m bringing the spirit of kaizen, or continuous improvement, to everything we do in the kitchen, and I’m excited to bring people together and create an experience that is truly unique to the region.”
Guided by Chef Ellamar’s close network of regional farmers, fishermen and producers, moments of surprise are woven throughout the menu featuring tableside presentations and intricate preparations to deliver a new taste of wine country. Guests enter AYA through a living wine tunnel showcasing a collection of rarities and deep verticals that scale from accessible local favorites to hard-to-find international allocations.
Designed by Rockwell Group, AYA has a dedicated exterior entrance, a first for the property, allowing guests to access the rooftop directly without entering the resort. AYA also features two outdoor terraces, one designed for nightly dining and another dedicated to private events, creating an elevated setting for celebrations and corporate gatherings.
