Celebrity vegan chef Matthew Kenney has opened a new location of his flagship Venice, Calif., restaurant Plant Food and Wine, in New York City’s East Village neighborhood.
The new vegan restaurant opened on Wednesday, replacing the Japanese-inspired Arata that opened last May. According to Matthew Kenney Cuisine (MKC), Arata will soon re-open at a smaller space better suited to its theme and menu. Plant Food and Wine neighbors two other Matthew Kenney vegan restaurants, Bar Verde and Double Zero, which all occupy 2nd Avenue between 3rd and 4th Street.
“We’re thrilled to bring Plant Food and Wine to New York City, as it has always felt like a gathering place where locals and visitors alike come together to appreciate fresh, vibrant ingredients,” Kenney said in a statement. “Our artistic vision has always been to create an upscale, memorable dining experience, where food is not only beautiful and delicious, but also incredibly healing and nutritious.”
The menu at Plant Food and Wine NYC will be centered around many of Kenney’s most popular dishes like gluten-free Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Lasagna with dairy-free macadamia ricotta, Kimchi Dumplings, and an emphasis on the use of local, seasonal ingredients. Dessert will feature housemade vegan ice cream, sorbet, and cheesecake, brunch will be served on weekends, and guests can choose from a selection of organic wines and cocktails. As with the Venice restaurant, the NYC location will also offer dining experiences curated for holidays and events, beginning with a Thanksgiving menu next month.
“We’ve built a dynamic team committed to sourcing the freshest ingredients available in our flora, while using modern and classic techniques to create the best plant-based experience for all,” said Scott Winegard, chef and director of culinary operations for all MKC restaurants.
Plant Food and Wine NYC joins the growing list of Chef Kenney’s ever-expanding vegan restaurant empire. There are currently 24 restaurants in operation throughout the US, Canada, London, Sydney, Bogota, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Bahrain.
More restaurants are in the works. The MKC website notes that in February 2019, NYC will become home to another new plant-based dining experience called “Medium.” Chef Kenney has also said that his nationwide product line will launch in December.
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