Graton casino unveils next phase of $1 billion expansion with $40 million rooftop restaurant and sports bar

"Aya, a 28,000-square-foot restaurant and bar designed with two terraces overlooking Sonoma Mountain and the surrounding hills. The $40 million project includes a walk-through wine tunnel and a $1 million cellar. The menu will center on coastal California cuisine with Asian accents, highlighting local oysters, wild-caught seafood and meats including Japanese Wagyu cooked over a wood-burning grill."

"In a notable shift, Aya will feature a dedicated exterior entrance, allowing diners to bypass the casino floor and the smoking areas that have long posed a challenge for some guests. The expansion also includes a 144,000-square-foot non-smoking gaming floor."

"To lead the broadened culinary program, the resort has tapped Roy Ellamar and his wife, Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar, veterans of the Las Vegas dining scene."

Graton Resort & Casino is expanding its culinary offerings with three new dining venues debuting May 4. The flagship addition is Aya, a 28,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant and bar with two terraces overlooking Sonoma Mountain. The $40 million project features a walk-through wine tunnel, $1 million cellar, and menu centered on coastal California cuisine with Asian influences, highlighting local oysters, wild-caught seafood, and Japanese Wagyu cooked over wood-burning grills. Ingredients source from the resort's 40-acre farm. The restaurant offers a dedicated exterior entrance, allowing diners to bypass the casino floor. Roy Ellamar and Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar, Las Vegas dining veterans, lead the culinary program. Additional venues include Playbook Sports Bar and an artisanal doughnut shop. The expansion also includes a 144,000-square-foot non-smoking gaming floor.

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