Gesto artisanal pizza to debut winter 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Downtown Delray Beach’s beloved Amar Mediterranean Bistro will open in its new location on November 1, 2024. Moving to 25 SE 6th Ave, just steps from its current location, the new 4,500-square-foot space will offer additional seating for large parties, covered outdoor dining and a full bar with daily happy hour specials. Amar will also launch their first Sunday brunch before the holiday season.
In its new iteration as Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar, the restaurant will continue serving its renowned dishes, including cold and hot mezze such as hummus, baba ghanouj, muhammara, kibbeh and falafel, as well as grilled meats, kebabs, fresh fish and homemade desserts. The larger kitchen will enable an expanded menu featuring additional plates that pay homage to owner Nicolas Kurban’s Lebanese heritage.
Opened in 2021 during the pandemic, Amar Bistro has become a favored dining spot for modern adaptations of traditional Lebanese dishes. Presenting a crossroad of flavors and cultures, Amar takes guests on a culinary journey through the Mediterranean and Middle East. Nicolas (pictured above) runs a true family-owned restaurant with the assistance of his daughter Nicole and son-in-law Michael McKenna.
“The way the community has embraced us is nothing short of spectacular. We have loved our first home here on the Avenue, but we’ve outgrown the space for Amar, and we’ve always dreamed of having a bar where people can come for happy hour or a solo dinner while enjoying a great cocktail,” said owner Nicolas Kurban. “With the expertise of our beverage consultant, Eric Hammer, we’ve curated an exceptional cocktail menu and an eclectic wine list featuring outstanding Lebanese wines and other gems. The new space will also allow us to host semi-private events and eventually expand our hours to lunch and brunch,” he continued.
Amar Kitchen & Bar will feature a complete bar program offering a tempting array of innovative cocktails with seasonal fruits, house-made syrups and premium spirits. Guests can expect twists on classic cocktails and signature drinks that highlight the rich flavors of the Mediterranean. The program aims to create a memorable drinking experience that complements the restaurant’s culinary offerings.
In place of Amar Bistro, Kurban Hospitality Group will introduce a new concept called Gesto, an artisanal pizza shop. “At the centerpiece of Amar is a wood-burning oven where we baked our handmade pita bread,” said Kurban. “It makes perfect sense to transition the space into an intimate pizza shop where we’ll focus on the best ingredients, providing a unique and authentic pizza experience.” Gesto is anticipated to open in winter 2025.
Nicolas’s palpable passion for his work comes from his father, who owned one of Lebanon’s most famous and long-standing restaurants. As a seasoned hospitality veteran, Nicolas has worked in operational roles with celebrated chefs such as Thomas Keller and Wolfgang Puck and in executive positions with luxury properties and casinos around the world, including Wynn Resort & Casino Las Vegas, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Four Seasons Hotels Asia Pacific and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.
More Information:
Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar: 25 SE 6th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483
Gesto: 522 East Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483 – coming soon
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