By Maiya Shur

Have you heard the buzz about town? It’s about Fly, the new martín bar and jazz lounge. While it has been open for less than a month, everyone in town seems to have already heard of this spot.

The chef, Armando Ortiz, formerly of La Puríssima, trained with the renowned Enrique Olvera in Mexico City as well as in restaurants across the US. He offers a concise menu of salads, meat, shrimp and pasta. Ortiz describes his menu as Oaxacan/Italian fusion cooked ‘al gusto’ - giving the diner control over how the meal is prepared.

Mexican couples and occasional tourists trickle in on a Saturday night, drawn in by the smooth vocals of Marta Sáenz. Fridays and Saturdays, Marta sings a mix of old jazz standards in English and Spanish, accompanied by keyboard and bass. Some are perching themselves on stools around a circular backlit bar where no one seems to be enforcing the “No Fumar” sign. Others are seating themselves on the upholstered cubes and plush red couches grouped loosely around low tables with candles.

It already has the buzz. Now Fly needs to follow through by dimming the lights and ditching the cover charge.

Bar Fly, 207 Constitución, open Tuesday-Sunday. Entrees: $70-120, Martinis $60, Cover $50, Fri and Sat. The bartender and chef both speak English.