We weren’t sure what to expect from Embeya, the pan-Asian restaurant coming from two RIA veterans; descriptions we read elsewhere didn’t necessarily suggest how high or low up the scale they planned to go (and frankly, midscale pan-Asian is not a category we necessarily view with enthusiasm). Then they announced a pop-up preview dinner with guest chef Laurent Gras, for whom Chef Thai Dang used to work at L2O. That tells you something about the level they’re aiming for, and our man Huge Galdones attended the dinner last night at Tenzing Wine & Sprits. He came back with photos and his own take: “Very refined flavors. It was served family-style (I don’t think it will be served that way when the restaurant opens), but to be frank, the flavors were awesome.” Here’s your first chance to see how Embeya’s refined version of classic Asian dishes, from banh mi to papaya salad, may redefine upscale Asian in this city when it opens in the fall.
