A brand new restaurant is making its way to Sullivan Street from the culinary minds that brought us Khe-Yo.
Khe-Yo was founded in 2013 by Chef Owner Soulayphet Schwader, Nick Bradley, and Iron Chef Marc Forgoine. Founded as a unique dining experience that accentuates the brightness and beauty of Lao Cuisine, Khe-Yo quickly earned a reputation as one of Tribeca’s absolute best Laotian restaurants. Now, Soulayphet (who goes by “Phet”) and Nick are partnering up again to bring a brand new restaurant to the space at 144 Sullivan Street.
Dubbed Kaizen, Phet and Nick’s latest restaurant will be serving up Asian small plates with a robust selection of beer, wine, and sake. Named after the Sino-Japanese word for “Continuous self-improvement,” Kaizen is a tribute to the owners’ philosophy that chefs should always be striving to accomplish the absolute best that they can and to never become complacent.
Joining the Kaizen team for the new project will be Chef Timothy Dugan. As the former Executive Chef of Bornholm, Dugan will be driving the menu at Kaizen and deliver seasonal small plates in a cozy and hospitable environment. With a menu that includes delicacies like fresh baby prawns and Peconic Bay scallops, Dugan’s vision will pair fresh seafood and vegetables with dynamic flavor profiles from across Asia.
Moving in to the spot at 144 Sullivan Street, Kaizen will be replacing The Room. The Room was a popular wine bar and lounge that served the neighborhood for years but closed a few years ago and has remained vacant since. The space is reasonable for the project, offering 1,100 square feet of space divided evenly between the ground floor and cellar. Thankfully, the space is already appropriately laid out for the new concept, and all Nick and the team need to do now is add new refrigeration and an espresso machine. According to Nick, Kaizen is expected to be operational by next Summer, sometime between May and June 2022.
