A Michelin-starred chef is bringing Indian fine dining to Chapel Hill

• The Triangle, home to a large South Asian population, has seen a wave of new fine-dining Indian restaurants open in recent years, including Tamasha in Raleigh and Cheeni in Durham.

Driving the news: The collaboration is notable because of Sarkar's work at Indienne, a Chicago restaurant that earned a Michelin star and many other plaudits.

• In addition to Indienne, Sarkar has opened several other restaurants in Chicago, New York and California.

Zoom in: Ayra plans to open later this summer in the East54 development at 2110 Environ Way.

• That development has become a hot spot for restaurants, like Hawthorne & Wood and the recently opened Geo's Tavern.
• Ayra is taking over a 5,000-square-foot space, where it plans to offer three different dining areas: a cocktail bar, an à la carte dining room and a private room for a tasting menu experience.