Andrew D'Ambrosi Leaves Vegan Critical Darling Avant Garden

Andrew D'Ambrosi is no longer the chef at Ravi DeRossi's restaurants Avant Garden and Bergen Hill. Several of this city's critics have lavished praise on D'Ambrosi's vegan dishes at Avant Garden since it opened in September. Andrew tells Eater: "My wife and I have relocated to France and will be opening a restaurant and guest house in the Loire Valley in the near future."  Avant Garden will continue to serve his dishes for the time being.

Ravi DeRossi explains: "Andrew was given an opportunity in France that he just couldn't pass up, it came very suddenly and took everyone by surprise, we are all of course very excited for him." The restaurateur says that he's already had meetings with several chefs, and he's found someone who he thinks is "fantastic."  They're still doing tastings right now. Expect an announcement about the new chef in the near future.  DeRossi is having quite a year: In addition to opening Avant Garden in September, the restaurateur also launched Riddling Widow in Greenwich Village and Mother of Pearl in the East Village, along with a non-profit called BEAST.

After his first meal at Avant Garden, Sietsema wrote: "At Avant Garden you won't find a bit of reverence or piety served along with your meal, or nostrums printed on the menu about doing good for animals or the earth. Just great, flesh-free food."