Ayla's Social Kitchen in Little Italy deploys global flavours from Mediterranean to Iran
Chef Amir Aghaei, a self-taught civil engineer turned cook, specializes in Mediterranean fusion on Preston Street. His kebabs highlight pomegranate, saffron, and house-made sauces.
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Amir Aghaei, 51, left a career as a civil engineer to open Ayla's Social Kitchen on Preston Street six years ago, just before the pandemic shuttered dining rooms. Since then, he's built a menu that pulls from Mediterranean staples, Balkan relishes, Yemeni sauces, and his native Iran — a personal fusion he calls simply "my own cuisine."
"People ask me, 'Where is the ancestor of this cuisine?' I say it's my own cuisine. We don't have to name a country; we all live together," Aghaei told a reviewer.
The cosy 40-seat basement dining room and basic 30-seat street-level patio serve a carefully curated two-page menu: roughly a dozen appetizers, a dozen mains, and four desserts. Dishes pair made-to-order or reheated proteins with swappable starches — Spanish rice, spinach and mushroom pearl couscous, or saffron and mushroom risotto. While these sides could be fresher and closer to al dente, the results remain commendably tasty.
All of Ayla's kebabs are winners. The Ayla's kebab ($35) stars pomegranate and herb-marinated striploin with yogurt pomegranate sauce, saffron-tinged rice, and a kale salad with green tahini dressing. The tender kebab ($35) features shavings of marinated hanger steak with house-made tomato sauce, Spanish rice, cooling labneh, and crunchy strips of fried wonton wrappers. Iranian influence shows clearly in the superior kebabs and in menu staples like pomegranate, saffron, and barberry.
Ayla's offers halal options but is not exclusively halal. Wine and spirits appear on the menu alongside mocktails, craft beers, and liqueurs. The compact kitchen next to the dining room explains why Aghaei's offerings are as curated as they are — every dish has been carefully considered for a small space and a focused vision.
Good to know
What kind of food does Ayla's Social Kitchen serve?
Ayla's Social Kitchen serves Mediterranean fusion cuisine drawing from Mediterranean staples, Balkan relishes, Yemeni sauces, and Iranian influences, with house-made sauces and kebabs featuring pomegranate, saffron, and barberry.
How much do kebabs cost at Ayla's Social Kitchen?
Kebabs at Ayla's Social Kitchen cost $35 each, including signature dishes like the Ayla's kebab with pomegranate and herb-marinated striploin and the tender kebab with marinated hanger steak.
Where is Ayla's Social Kitchen located?
Ayla's Social Kitchen is located at 338 Preston Street in Ottawa's Little Italy neighbourhood.
