Asya Indian Restaurant Closes Its Doors On Cortelyou Road

After a year and a half at 1310 Cortelyou Road, we’re sorry to announce that Asya Indian Restaurant has shuttered its doors.

We spoke to Asya’s owner, Vipan, who was the previous owner of Picket Fence, also at 1310 Cortelyou Road.

Vipan has been a business owner on Cortelyou Road for nine years, between Picket Fence and Asya combined. “It’s a beautiful neighborhood,” he told us. “It’s not that we want to leave the neighborhood, but at this point it doesn’t make financial sense to put in the investment required without being sure we’ll get the extended lease,” he said.

Asya’s second location in Brooklyn Heights will remain open.

From the first bite, Asya delighted DPC reviewers, who appreciated the higher-quality (if higher priced) samosas, garlic naan, and chana masala. With the plethora of cheap and delicious Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi restaurants lining Coney Island Avenue — Asya had some steep competition in terms of regional cuisine. But as a sit-down Indian restaurant offering a full, accessible menu, they did fill a noticeable gap on Cortelyou Road.

Plus, they offered an affordable 50-percent-off lunch special.

In the world of internet food reviews, Asya was a gem —  with a 4.5-star rating on Grub Hub and a 4-star rating on Yelp. But for neighbors, the reviews have been more nuanced — a few neighbors wrote to us saying they were sorry to see Asya go, but last year the restaurant polarized DPC readers (see wildly opposing comments!)

“We have been in business for 9 years in that neighborhood, and letting go is a loss,” said Vipan. “It’s a sad feeling.” Vipan wants to thank the all of Asya’s customers, and all the neighborhood, for all their support over the years. And as for the future, he’s not permanently shutting the doors on Ditmas Park.“Who knows what will happen tomorrow?” Vipan said. “We wish to come back. If we find a reasonable location and rent, who knows what the future will bring.”