One of Vegan World's Biggest Celebrities Plans a New NYC Restaurant

Self-described “world’s leading plant-based chef” Matthew Kenney of Irving Place’s embroiled yet now defunct Pure Food + Wine will open XYST in early November. The restaurant will debut in conjunction with Yves Jadot Restaurant Group, behind Raines Law Room, Dear Irving, and The Bennett in the Petite Abeille space at 44 West 17th Street.

The 80-seat restaurant with indoor and patio seating will offer a menu of Mediterranean share plates plus family-style vegetable preps, like avocado with preserved lemon, radish, and tomato jam; za’atar roasted carrots with pistachio yogurt; and Tunisian-spiced squash with curry leaves and wild mushroom fattoush. Focused on aperitif cocktails, bartender Meaghan Dorman will highlight complementary flavors. There will also be a selection of juices and smoothies.

XYST marks Kenney’s second Manhattan restaurant following last year’s debut of 00+Co, his vegan pizza restaurant in the East Village. XYST will serve daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.