Fresh Off a Glowing New York Times Review, Vegan Soul Food Hit Cadence to Expand

Vegan soul food hit Cadence and tapas and wine bar Ladybird to expand in the East Village

East Village restaurateur Ravi de Rossi is switching things up again. After revamping his hospitality group and opening a bevy of new vegan restaurants during the pandemic — including Filipino spot Saramsam, wine bar Soda Club, and newly minted New York Times star Cadence — de Rossi is doubling down and expanding on the restaurants that have been a hit while closing down short-lived Saramsam. According to EVGrieve, de Rossi is expanding chef Shenarri Freeman’s vegan soul food spot Cadence to include a second space next door. Across the street, he’ll similarly be expanding tapas and wine bar Ladybird into Saramsam’s former spot.

The two restaurants “are at capacity almost every night of the week,” which spurred the decision to expand, de Rossi tells EVGrieve. Saramsam — the third restaurant that de Rossi has tried to open in that location after Fire & Water and Night Music — has been shuttered since May. Ladybird’s second location is set to open in three weeks, according to the report, while Cadence’s next-door space will be opening two to three months.

In other news

— Orange Glou founder Doreen Winkler is kicking off a monthly series of orange wine education events at her new Lower East Side shop starting on August 10. Tickets are $35 apiece and include five wine tastings and pairings.

— The New York City Wine & Food Festival is back on from October 14 to 17 this year. The in-person event will be requiring proof of vaccination for all customers, staff, and volunteers, according to an event spokesperson. Tickets go on sale starting August 16.

— Former anonymous Michelin restaurant critic Mahira Rivers debuts a new column for Resy called “Taste Matters,” where she’ll be examining what defines good taste in today’s restaurant scene.

— Former Bon Appétit test kitchen staffers Carla Lalli Music and Rick Martinez are launching a new podcast together where they’ll answer callers’ food questions and conundrums on-air.

— Women-owned Seemore Meats & Veggies is popping up at Williamsburg brewery Talea tomorrow starting at 4 p.m., according to a company spokesperson. Seemore will be bringing its chicken parm and loaded baked potato sausages to the pop-up, and the first 100 customers will receive a free sausage.

— Chef Jae Jung’s Korean-Cajun delivery spot Kjun is popping up for a dine-in event on August 23, 30, and 31 at the Yondu Culinary Studio, near the South Street Seaport. The five-course dinner includes smoked catfish and mung bean hush puppies, Kjun’s barbecue brisket, and red bean king cake from chef Katherine Yang. There will be live jazz and a cocktail reception (with kimchi Bloody Marys!) prior to the dinner. Tickets are $100 apiece.

— Bring. It. Back: