This week, Hotel Indigo Williamsburg, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio, announced a new food & beverage partnership for its bars and restaurants with Brook & Lyn Eating, a newly established hospitality company helmed by renowned Chef Scotley Innis and his business partner, restaurateur Aliya Huey. This week, the new partnership features the opening of the intimate cocktail den Aliya (500 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn) on the hotel’s fourth-floor terrace and seasonal pool deck. It will be followed by a signature destination restaurant on the first floor and a new lobby bar concept later this spring.
“Chef Innis and his approach to food transcends the rising popularity of Caribbean-inspired fine dining in NYC, and we are thrilled and honored to welcome him to Brooklyn and Hotel Indigo Williamsburg,” said Nicolas Daeppen, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Williamsburg. “His tenure at some of the top kitchens in the US, infused with his Jamaican roots and experiences around the world, is a unique combination that we welcome and look forward to showcasing throughout our hotel.”
Known in Atlanta for his massively popular Continent Restaurant and Cigar Lounge, as well as appearances on Hell’s Kitchen, Chopped, and Late Night Eats, Chef Innis returns home to New York City with Aliya, which offers an inventive and elevated cocktail and wine program, anchored by a food menu inspired by his Jamaican roots. The nostalgic flavors of the Caribbean meet Asia with bold dishes crafted to transport guests to exotic, tropical lands, with dishes like the succulent Lamb Shank Pot Pie, Salt & Pepper Oyster Mushrooms with a Curry Pumpkin Squash reduction, and the signature Oxtail Fried Rice.
Leading the cocktail menu are strikingly presented libations like the fish-shaped Don’t Be Coy (Toki Suntory Japanese Whiskey, Butterfly Pea Flower Tea, fresh lemon Juice, lavender syrup), Enter the Dragon (Haku Japanese Vodka, dragon fruit puree, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup), Blacker the Berry (Roku Japanese Gin, simple syrup, Creme de Mure, fresh lime juice), and Bonita Applebum (Hennessy VS Cognac, organic apple juice, pure maple syrup, fresh lime juice). These concoctions complement the worldly sophistication of Chef Innis’ plates and showcase flavorful spirits that transform classic cocktails into little time capsules of nostalgia.
Chef Innis is a culinary trailblazer whose journey has taken him from his Jamaican roots to becoming a renowned figure in the world of gastronomy. His passion for cooking was kindled in the kitchens of New York City’s Jamaican restaurants, setting the stage for a remarkable career. After relocating to Atlanta in 2004, Chef Scotley immersed himself in the rich Southern food culture, honing his skills at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute and making a name for himself at various hotel kitchens. His role as Executive Chef at Mudcatz Bayou Bar and Grill truly showcased his talents, where he infused innovation into Cajun and Creole flavors.
Continuing his ascent, Chef Innis took on leadership roles at renowned establishments like Tom Colicchio’s Craft Bar and Ormsby’s, focusing on crafting seasonal, locally sourced comfort food. His journey reached a turning point in 2017 when he became Executive Chef at 5Church Atlanta, blending his Jamaican heritage with a modern twist and earning accolades such as ‘Atlanta’s Best Rising Chef’ by Jezebel magazine. This success led to TV appearances and turned 5Church into one of Atlanta’s hottest dining destinations. His 2018 appearance on Hell’s Kitchen, mentored by Chef Gordon Ramsay, further showcased his dedication to the culinary craft.
In April 2021, Chef Scotley began a new chapter as the Co-owner and Executive Chef of Continent Restaurant and Cigar Lounge in Atlanta, featuring Afro-Caribbean and Asian-inspired dishes. The restaurant quickly gained recognition as the “Most Anticipated Restaurant for 2021” and received praise from food enthusiasts and media alike. The James Beard Foundation also selected it as the host of Taste America: Atlanta, the organization’s national initiative supporting chefs and restaurants nationwide. Chef Innis is a visionary restaurateur with aspirations to establish restaurants on every continent, leaving an indelible mark on the global culinary scene.
