Hummus News
Mediterranean restaurant from Istanbul Grill team comes to Fort Worth
Mediterranean food is coming to Fort Worth's Montgomery Plaza.
A new Mediterranean restaurant from a well-known local team is coming to Fort Worth's Montgomery Plaza: Called Ava Restaurant, it's a new concept from the owners of Istanbul Grill and Chefika, and it's opening at 2600 W. 7th St. #153.
This address was most recently the former Goat & Vine, which closed a year ago. According to Ava co-owner Emre Akel, they're aiming to open in late May.
Ava will feature classic Mediterranean and Turkish dishes, with a full bar serving cocktails and wine. In addition to Akel, Ava's owners include Serdar "Sam" Sensel, whose recent openings include Istanbul Grill, a Turkish-Mediterranean concept with locations in Fort Worth and Arlington; and Chefika, a Turkish fine-dining restaurant that opened in Dallas in 2024. The rest of the team includes Akel plus a group of hospitality pros that include Cenk Uysal, Gokalp Uzdiyen, and Gursel Sutcu.
Their corner spot in Montgomery Plaza has been home to a long list of short-time tenants, including Mac’s on 7th, Deluxe Bar & Grill, Monty’s Corner, Bite City Grill, King Crab Tap House, M Bistro, and Honey Smoke Pit. But Akel says they are coming to the location with fresh eyes.
"The space is right on the corner with great visibility and a patio with so much potential," he says.
Also in their favor: They're also bringing the currently very buzzy Mediterranean cuisine to an area without much competition, other than Terra Mediterranean, which has been open at 2932 Crockett St. since 2024.
"Everyone loves Mediterranean food right now, and there aren't many Mediterranean restaurants in the area," Akel says. "Sam has Istanbul Grill in downtown Sundance Square, and while that is two miles away, it's a totally different crowd."
They plan to offer a modern take on a Mediterranean restaurant, featuring classic recipes but with a full bar.
"We've heard from people who want something else at Montgomery Plaza besides barbecue, where they can get glass of wine or a cocktail with dinner," he says. "Not everyone wants a buffet. The area has a lot of younger residents who want a place that's nice, with good food at not too high a price. There's no question mark on the quality of our food. We'll serve traditional dishes at a reasonable price."
They'll be offering lunch, as well as other amenities for the office crowd, including a private room with a big screen, which can be used for meetings or celebrations.
They'll also be there for the late-night crowd: open until 2 am on weekends, with the addition of a sexy speakeasy with casual, comfortable seating and a dedicated bar menu.
"It'll feel like a hotel lounge area, carpeted and very chic, almost like your home — a comfortable place to hang out," he says.
