Cool Communities: Strip District

Caribbean music sets the tone. Tie-dyed murals hang on the wall, and mosaic fish lead the way to the seats in Kaya.

"Our food is really good - reasonably priced, good portion sizes and fresh produce from local farmers," Monika Berwein-Banks, general manager of Kaya, said.

Kaya offers things that are unique compared to other restaurants in the Strip District. The Sunday brunch menu lists dishes like smoked salmon benedict. A weekday happy hour offers half-price drinks and draft beers. Vegetarian menus are available with such items as avocado and tomato torta, which are featured every third Wednesday of the month. Prices range from $10 to $20.

Kaya serves Caribbean and South American food, like the $8 Jamaican jerk wings. Sean Ehland, 24, the executive chef of Kaya, is the youngest executive chef that the Big Burrito Company has ever seen. The originality of Ehland's dishes is reflected in his notable creations, like tacos al pastor, a dish that consists of pork belly, pineapple, spicy slaw, scallion, guajillo chile sauce, Reyna's tortillas and cilantro.

"The ideas for the menu just kind of come. I know what flavors work well with each other," Ehland said.

Kaya, however, is not new to the Strip. It has been in business for over 10 years.

"The Strip District is on its way back. It's getting revived with places like this," Eliot Preschutti, a first-time customer, said.

Preschutti was surprised by how breath-taking the decor of Kaya was and was referred by a friend, who said he had to come and eat the Cuban sandwich.

Kaya serves common dining staples, such as the Cuban sandwich or Yucatan hot bean dip with house-made chips for $7, and the Kaya Angus burger with bacon, avocado, tomato, pickles, Chihuahua cheese, a local sunny-side-up egg and secret Kaya sauce for $10.

"Some stuff on the menu will never change, but we get pretty creative here. And with the feedback from customers, it inspires you and makes it all worth it," Ehland said.

Kaya just added a Sunday brunch this year, which has already taken off, Berwein- Banks said. Food like South American benedict, buttermilk pancakes for $8 and Tropical Paella for $13 are offered for brunch. The lunch and dinner menus offer special items like crispy fish tacos for $12, Tofu cracklins for $8, jerk pulled pork quesadilla for $13 and Jamaican green curry vegetables for $16.

Kaya is also known for its happy hour specials, which run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. They offer single-serving drinks and draft beers at half price. Drinks like the Lava Lover, Herradura Reposado Margatini, Brooklyn Monster, which is on draft and Kuhl Riesling wine are just a few of their specialties. Prices range depending on the bottle.

Kaya is often busy on the weekends and filled with regulars and tourists.

"People should make reservations to ensure they will get a table, especially on our vegetarian nights," Berwein-Banks said.

The comfy seats and intimate feel of Kaya take its customers to another part of the world. With its exotic and comforting atmosphere, it is no wonder Kaya has so many regulars.

Kaya is open  Monday through Wednesday for lunch from 11:30 a.m to 5 p.m and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dinner being served from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Students can take the 51C and 86B buses or take Point Park's shuttle to Whole Foods.