Sonoma County locals along with culinary stars like Dustin Valette and Charlie Palmer and some of pop culture’s biggest names including Mario Lopez and Carmen Electra celebrated the expansion of Graton Resort and Casino near Rohnert Park on Thursday, May 7.
The evening sparkled with the debut of AYA, the rooftop restaurant from celebrity chef Roy Ellamar. Guests savored exquisite wines, gourmet appetizers, and a lavish seafood bar, all while soaking in sweeping springtime views of the Sonoma County mountains from the restaurant’s deck.
Actor and television host Mario Lopez on the red carpet during the Graton Resort and Casino grand opening, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)s Democrat)
Actor and model Carmen Electra poses on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Celebrity chef and Healdsburg restaurant owner Dustin Valette, middle, with Jessica and Jonathan Wilhelm on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
From left, former San Francisco mayor London Breed and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Professional wrestler Nikki Bella poses on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Professional wrestler Nikki Bella poses for a photographer at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Hey Brother are interviewed on the red carpet by Mario Lopez at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Hey Brother fans make a selfie on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Guests gather around the seafood bar at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Former National Basketball Association professional athlete Festus Ezeli and date at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Former National Basketball Association professional athlete Festus Ezeli, middle, and date, are interviewed on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Greg Sarris, chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, makes an appearance on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Former San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence walks the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Chef Charlie Palmer makes an appearance on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Influencer Chelsea Pearl makes an appearance on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Guests mingle at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Former NBA player Kelenna Azubuike makes an appearance on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Aya chef Roy Ellamar and wife Jennifer Murphy-Ellamar make an appearance on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Rapper E-40 makes an appearance on the red carpet at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
People take in a sunset on the rooftop sports bar and Aya Restaurant at the grand opening of Graton Resort and Casino’s rooftop restaurant, AYA, Thursday, May 7, 2026, near Rohnert Park. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)