Former General Manager of Jeff Ruby’s Carlo & Johnny’s, Jason Druso, teamed up with Han Lin, Chef-owner of Mei Japanese Restaurant in Montgomery, to create this sushi bar and restaurant featuring New American cuisine with an Asian flair. Druso credits Aqua’s unique flavors to the influence of the sushi bar and main kitchen on one another.

The owner describes the birth of Aqua as serendipitous. Druso, his partner, Lin, and Aqua’s chef, Stephan Kraus, have known each other for years through the local restaurant industry. A consulting job brought them together, and before they knew it, they were collaborating to establish Aqua. Even the artwork on the walls came from a Chicago trip with The Stand’s owner, Ben Klopp, where Druso discovered abstract artist, Dzine. Druso says of the group effort, “It’s the people that make this restaurant what it is.”

The food isn’t the only eclectic aspect of Aqua. From Japanese tatami booths to original abstract paintings, the atmosphere has a chic, urban style. Perhaps that’s because it, too, was a collaborative effort by the owners. They designed the space themselves, even down to the wine cellar, which Lin created.

When asked what prompted them to open in Mt. Lookout, Druso referred back to his childhood in Anderson Township. “I came to the square all the time as a kid, to eat at Zip’s or to go to the Cinema Grill. I just like this area, and I think there are a lot of opportunities here.” He likes it enough to work here and live here; Druso moved to Linwood Avenue six years ago and it sounds like he’s planning to stay a while. With a dining experience like Aqua’s, you can be sure he will.

Aqua is open from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am Monday through Saturday. For reservations, call 919-2782. Valet is now available.

Nectar is another new fine dining addition to the Square. It opened in March, serving contemporary seasonal cuisine with French and Mediterranean influence. On the entrée menu, patrons will find duck, pork, lamb, sea bass, and Tasmanian salmon.

Nectar is chef/owner Julie Francis' second Cincinnati restaurant. Aioli, her first venture, was located on Elm Street for several years before she decided to turn her attention from the downtown scene to Mount Lookout's neighborhood atmosphere.