Sonya Yong James | Lyla Lila (ATL)

Christmas came early for Atlanta foodies when Chef Craig Richards’ newest concept, Lyla Lila opened to the public on December 6th. The midtown restaurant is the result of many months of exploration into Richard’s passions - Southern European (leaning Italian) cuisine, experimental jazz and an interest in creating a comfortable, approachable dining experience.

When Chef approached Amy Parry Projects to consult on a statement piece for the Restaurant’s main dining room, everyone was initially imagining a textile piece - in the interest of southern charm; one that spoke to the passing down of craft. Naturally, Atlanta artist Sonya Yong James came to mind. A studio visit was scheduled between Chef and Sonya (recently represented by Whitespace Gallery) and a delightful shift in direction happened en studio.

Hanging from a pot rack in Sonya’s space within the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center was a large, old wooden spoon that she used in her hand-dyed textile work. Richards saw the spoon and was struck by it’s natural beauty. As Sonya and Chef connected over music and other “ties that bind,” the spoon became the story. Sonya embarked on creating a textile hanging work from a collection of indigo dyed spoons.

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Sonya Yong James, indigo dyed wooden spoons, metal armature, 7 x 5 feet

A custom armature was made, spoons (new and old) were gathered, Sonya switched studios (and was awarded the prestigious Artadia Award on the heels of three back to back exhibitions) and the piece was installed as the Restaurant prepared for it’s first round of guests - friends and family of Chef and his Lyla Lila business partner Billy Streck.

Sonya’s spoons are a beautiful complement to the Restaurant’s beautiful, eclectic interior which was designed by Atlanta’s Smith Hanes Studio. If you are in Atlanta, please make a point to enjoy both the food and design of this new, great space.

Recent article from Atlanta Magazine here.

Lyla Lila Announcement - Art Consulting by AP Projects

Lyla Lila will bring house-made
pasta to
Midtown this fall

The restaurant from Craig Richards and Billy Streck is set to open in lilli Midtown later this year

By Carly Cooper - May 30, 2019

A rendering of Lyla Lila | Courtesy of Smith Hanes Studio

Last year, Craig Richards left his position as vice president of culinary for Ford Fry Restaurants and executive chef at St. Cecilia and joined forces with restaurateur Billy Streck (Hampton & Hudson, Nina & Rafi, Cypress Street Pint & Plate). The duo soon discovered they had more in common than a love of food: their daughters share a name. So it only made sense to express that connection through the name of their new restaurant, Lyla Lila. (Richards’s daughter is Lyla; Streck’s daughter’s middle name is Lila.)

“We had 30 names on the table, but this makes it a lot more personal to us,” Richards says. “The restaurant is an expression of us.”

Located in the lilli Midtown building at the corner of 3rd and Peachtree streets, the food at Lyla Lila is inspired by the cuisines of southern Italy and Spain. It will include house-made pasta and wood-fired meats and seafood, along with Old World wines and seasonal cocktails.

Pasta options will include smoked squash and ricotta caramelle with spiced pumpkin seeds and sumac; and tomato leaf pappardelle with pork and beef cheek ragu and charred peppers. There will be two risottos on the menu, along with entrees such as a pork porterhouse with eggplant and oysters; and a whole-roasted fishtail with smoked onions and lemon butter, served with an anchovy and arugula salad. Sides include a salt-roasted sweet potato with fermented chili butter, while appetizers will include lamb croquettes with fennel pollen aioli and a wood-grilled lettuce salad with rye croutons, wild oregano, and yogurt dressing.

The beverage program will focus on seasonal cocktails and Old World wines, along with both local and European-style beers in bottles, cans, and a few drafts.

“This food lends itself really well to sparkling wines, so we’ll have an expanded sparking wine program,” Richards says. “We want the beverage side and the kitchen to be a reflection of each other.”

When Lyla Lila opens in early fall, it will serve dinner seven days a week. Weekend brunch will follow, along with weekday lunch. Smith Hanes Studio is designing the 4,000-square-foot space.

“In developing the concept, we pulled out some old vinyl—Miles Davis, Duran Duran, old Madonna—and got inspiration that way,” Streck says. “You might see some vinyl playing on a turntable. We’re definitely encouraging an after-dinner crowd.”

Expect a wooden floor with tiles that merge into the horseshoe bar area. There’s an area with cafe tables and banquettes for cocktails, a dining room, and a 25-seat private room. The Peachtree Street-facing patio is designed for people-watching, while a second patio in the cocktail area features a fireplace as a throwback to Cypress Street’s sizable firepit.

“We want the patio to be a beacon if you’re coming from either side of town,” Richards says.

And if all goes according to plan, Richards says, Lyla Lila will have the energy and vibrancy of his daughter, who is “extremely excited” about having a restaurant named after her.