New Asian-Mediterranean restaurant opens this week on Las Olas

What they're saying: Tim Petrillo, co-founder and CEO of The Restaurant People, said the city's rapid growth has fueled demand for new dining concepts.

• "Fort Lauderdale has gone from a bedroom community to a thriving city, and Naia is built for the way people here want to eat, drink and gather today," he added in a press release.

The vibe: The 5,700-square-foot, 225-seat restaurant was designed by interior architect Tristan du Plessis.

• The space features an open kitchen, live robata cooking and a DJ.

Dig in: The restaurant offers a Mediterranean menu with Asian influences built around fresh seafood, vegetables, meats, citrus, herbs and seasonal ingredients.

• To start, there's sourdough pita stamped with the Naia logo and an assortment of dips, including hummus, herb labneh, spicy feta mousse and muhammara.
• The dishes, which are designed for sharing, include wagyu lavash, harissa chicken robata skewers, wagyu dumplings, lobster mai thai in panang curry and signature sushi rolls.
• Diners can finish off with baklava, tiramisu caviar or the signature Dubai soft serve — pistachio soft serve topped with kataifi, candied nuts and Valrhona chocolate.

Sip on: The cocktail menu features citrus, fresh herbs, botanicals and spices along with housemade ingredients, such as shiso green tea syrup.

The intrigue: The sushi program is led by chef Ped Phommavong, an eight-time winner of "Iron Chef Thailand."

• Some of the seafood is sourced from Tokyo's Toyosu Market.

🚗 If you go: Naia, 904 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

• Sunday– Thursday, 4pm–midnight.
• Friday and Saturday, 4pm–2am.