A celebrated Persian restaurant is bringing its traditional flavors to Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood.
Berenjak, from the team behind JKS Restaurants, will open at 324 Lafayette St. in the former KYU space, according to a business filing with Manhattan Community Board 2.
The restaurant group operates more than 30 restaurants across the United States, United Kingdom and Middle East. In New York, the group owns Ambassadors Clubhouse and is eager to further expand its presence in the city.
“We’re excited to be a part of the community,” managing partner Rob Rawleigh said at the board meeting.
KYU fans need not worry, as the restaurant’s team is joining forces with JKS Restaurants to bring Berenjak to life
Berenjak opened its first location in London’s Soho neighborhood in October 2018.
Founder Kian Samyani drew inspiration from his childhood memories of Iran and the traditional kabab shop near his grandfather’s home in Tehran to create a restaurant celebrating Persian cuisine.
Built on generations of family recipes, the menu highlights traditional dishes through a modern lens. Highlights include Mirza Ghasemi, a smoky aubergine dish with tomatoes, garlic and eggs; Kashk-e Bademjoon, a savory aubergine dip topped with whey sauce, fried onions and mint; and Koobideh Kabab, a staple made with seasoned ground lamb grilled over a mangal.
The restaurant earned its first Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019 and has retained the distinction every year since.
“Berenjak is much more than just a restaurant. It’s family and culture, past, present and future,” Samyani said on the website.
An official opening date has not yet been announced.
Once open, Berenjak plans to maintain KYU’s former operating hours, welcoming guests Sunday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. The sidewalk cafe will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit the Berenjak website and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
Dining and Cooking