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Suraya, the Fishtown hit, opens its outdoor garden

You enter on the Front Street side, midblock between Jefferson and Oxford Streets. Assorted seating areas, including communal tables, can accommodate couples and small groups.

The garden at Suraya in Fishtown.
The garden at Suraya in Fishtown.Read moreMICHAEL KLEIN / Staff

You're in Fishtown but you're not: shimmering lights, a babbling fountain, Persian ironwood trees, the sounds of mijwiz and buzuq floating around you.

The feeling of a sexy outdoor garden in Lebanon.

And then the Market-Frankford El rumbles by. Yes, you're in Fishtown.

Suraya, the Middle Eastern destination that's made every best-of list from Day One last fall, on Thursday finally opened its pièce de résistance: a nearly 5,000-square-foot garden that links the Frankford Avenue restaurant to Front Street.

Completely transporting, especially when the sun goes down.

Suraya owners Greg Root, chef Nick Kennedy, Nathalie Richan, and Roland Kassis intend this as a separate operation.

You enter on the Front Street side, midblock between Jefferson and Oxford Streets. Assorted seating areas, including communal tables, can accommodate couples and small groups.

The menu consists of mezze — small plates — and cocktails from the separate bar.

The partners intend to keep the garden open almost year-round. Hours for now are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday. The kitchen is open till 10 p.m. weeknights, 11 p.m. on weekends. Monday operation will begin soon.

For a nifty aerial view of the outdoor garden, click here.

The restaurant is at the top in the photo, while the garden's Front Street entrance is at the bottom.