After closing its doors in January 2020 following seven years in downtown Frederick, Ayse Meze Lounge is poised to return to the culinary scene—this time about 25 miles south as AYSE. Nezih Pistar, the driving force behind the Mediterranean restaurant named for his mother, has applied for a liquor license on behalf of AYSE for the new location at 700 King Farm Rd. in Rockville’s King Farm neighborhood.
A public hearing regarding the liquor license application is scheduled for October 17th, marking a significant step in the restaurant’s revival. AYSE will be taking over the location that was previously home to Nick’s Chophouse, which closed in 2021 after a twenty year run.
Ayse Meze Lounge, as it was known during its run in Frederick, had a 4.4 Google rating with over 500 reviews and a 4.1 Yelp rating with over 420 reviews. Pistar’s other restaurant in Frederick, Pistarro’s Ristorante and Isabella’s Taverna and Tapas Bar, also have favorable reviews across different platforms.
We will provide updates regarding an opening timeframe and specific menu once the information becomes available. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.