A new restaurant that borrows influence from around the globe is currently in the process of opening up in the East Village.
Paradise Lost is a brand new restaurant concept from owners Kavé Pourzanjani, Phillip Kirschen-Clark, and Raymond Sakover. Kavé is a passionate food and beverage professional who has served as a bartender for popular concepts across the city, including Nitecap, The Polynesian, and Middle Branch. Kirschen-Clark meanwhile is a well-established chef and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Currently working as a private chef, Kirschen-Clark has served as Executive Chef at numerous upscale restaurants, including recognizable spots like Milling Room, Café Cluny, and Vandaag. Finally, Raymond Sakover is a hospitality professional with over a decade of experience in the industry, and will be serving as the Food & beverage Director for Paradise Lost. He has previously served as the Head Bartender for some of the city’s most popular bars, including Ray’s, The Happiest Hour, and Slowly Shirley.
Together, the three will be launching an innovative new restaurant concept that will serve cuisine described as “Nouveau Contemporary with global influences.” Sample items from the planned menu include bar snacks like “tiki popcorn” and crispy okra chips, and appetizers like “paradise tots” with rum caramel and Caribbean Snapper ceviche. Sample entrees run the gamut from jerk mac & cheese and spiny lobster rolls to sweet soy chicken kabobs and smoked pork ribs. Paradise Lost will also offer mouthwatering desserts like mochi ice cream and kakigori – Japanese shaved iced sundaes.
The team has been working together to develop the concept for some time, and they have just recently secured the lease to launch their new restaurant at 100 Second Avenue. The space was previously home to Haveli, an upscale Indian restaurant that offered a varied menu in a split-level dining room. Sadly, the restaurant closed for good a few years go, and has showed no signs of returning to a new location.
Located between East Fifth and East Sixth Street, the location is expected to seat about 54 guests inside at one time. The team is also looking to acquire a full liquor, beer, and wine license for Paradise Lost, and are currently getting ready to meet with the community board to discuss their new concept. They are currently proposing operating hours of 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM Monday through Thursday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 AM on Friday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 AM on Saturday, and 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM on Sunday, though those hours are subject to change pending the board’s approval. In the meantime, you can follow Paradise Lost on Instagram for updates on their latest developments.
