HOWARD HOSPITALITY GROUP (HHG) ANNOUNCES DEBUT OF ITS NEW PREMIUM RESTAURANT BRAND, YARA

Grand Cayman gets a New Global Steakhouse, Located at Margaritaville Beach Resort, with Crudo Bar, Prime Cuts, Decadent Desserts, Customized Cocktails, DJ and More

George Town, CYM – June 6, 2017 – Howard Hospitality Group (HHG), an international hotel investor, developer and operator, today announced the debut of its new premium restaurant and entertainment concept, YARA, which is officially open at the Margaritaville Grand Cayman Beach Resort. YARA, which means “the place” in the Caribbean’s nativeTaíno language, gives island residents and resort guests the chance to enjoy diverse cuisine in a sophisticated yet social setting, with great cocktails and music all evening long.

“We are excited to share this new restaurant brand with the world, bringing a fresh new wave of globally-inspired cuisine to the island,” said Howard Sitzer, chairman of HHG. “Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that YARA transcends beyond just a restaurant – it is a genuinely innovative, one-of-a-kind, dining and entertainment experience.”

Executive Chef Dylan Benoit has crafted an intriguing internationally-inspired menu that allows guests to share multiple appetizers, entrees and sides in a beautifully designed social environment. Guests can adventure into a diverse set of unique and well thought-out dishes all within an energetic atmosphere, allowing for one of the most fascinating dining experiences ever designed in Grand Cayman.

The first concept of its kind, the menu at YARA borrows heavily from Nikkei tradition, offering top quality steaks and game meats while utilizing the abundance of fresh local fish available in the Cayman Islands. Equal parts tradition, exploration and innovation, Nikkei cuisine has been a century in the making and continues to evolve daily. Using this energetic and exciting cuisine as a point of reference, Benoit and his team endeavor to bring a myriad of creative dishes to the table at YARA. Sample menu items include:

·         Tri Miso Baked Oysters

·         Tuna Tartare

·         Popcorn Lamb

·         Baseball Sirloin

Amongst its top features is YARA’s crudo bar, which serves fresh seafood selections ranging from Sous Vide Octopus Carpaccio to Nikkei Style Tuna Tartare, as well as fresh and flavorful a la carte oysters. Open until 1 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, the crudo bar also serves as the perfect option for guests seeking mouth-watering late-night food options. Another fan favorite is YARA’s wide selection of cuts, including Wagyu and several dry-aged steaks, which all come from the restaurant’s partnership with Certified Angus Beef and Niman Ranch.

Pre- and post-dinner hand-crafted cocktails from top international mixologists are a welcome twist to accompany Benoit’s menu, as is a sophisticated wine list, energetic vibe, a unique dramatic design and resident DJ, who spins seven nights a week. All located in one distinctive location, YARA serves as an ideal gathering place for locals and travelers.

“I have spent many years traveling the world, collecting inspiration at every stop and am thrilled to introduce the result here on Grand Cayman, my home,” said Benoit.  “YARA is a truly global dining experience that is second-to-none, and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished here. The global steakhouse concept gives my team and I freedom to explore many cultures without pigeonholing ourselves as one cuisine. Our focus is on sourcing the best ingredients and preparing them in a way that is unusual or unexpected, making the dining experience at YARA truly memorable.”

YARA is located at 269 W Bay Rd, Grand Cayman KY1-1204, Cayman Islands. The restaurant is open at 5 p.m. daily, serving dinner seven days a week.

For reservations, call 345-640-6441 or visit http://yararestaurant.com/.

About HHG

HHG is a fully-integrated investor, owner, developer and operator of high value-add hospitality and leisure real estate, headquartered in the international banking center of Grand Cayman. HHG specializes in acquiring real estate with high potential in proven markets, and transforming it into sustainable, high-yielding assets. Opening the first operations of its brands, HHG has future sites planned internationally for both Locale and YARA. For more information on HHG, visit http://howardhg.com/.

About YARA

Howard Hospitality Group’s new premium restaurant brand, YARA, features globally-inspired cuisine that borrows heavily from the Nikkei tradition. Meaning “the place” in the Caribbean’s native Taínolanguage, YARA, located at Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman, serves as a gathering place for locals and travelers alike. Delivering an innovative dining experience to one distinct location, YARA offers a myriad of creative dishes that bound both traditional and explorative cuisine, featuring top quality steaks and local fresh fish, as well as hand-crafted cocktails, a sophisticated wine list, energetic vibes and a resident DJ. With stints in Grand Cayman, Executive Chef Dylan Benoit, brings a wealth of knowledge to the restaurant and serves as the forefront of the culinary team and design of the internationally-influenced menu concept. For more information on YARA, visit http://yararestaurant.com/.