Contemporary Aegean Restaurant Coming to SoHo
A new restaurant called Selene by Kyma is scheduled to open in SoHo in early 2026. The establishment will specialize in contemporary Aegean cuisine, focusing on coastal Greek culinary traditions.
Selene by Kyma is an evolution of the existing Kyma brand, which has locations in Flatiron and Hudson Yards, known for upscale Greek seafood and a vibrant atmosphere. Co-founder Reno Christou, a 35-year veteran of NYC's Greek dining scene including stints at Milos and Avra, is partnering with James Ragonese, formerly of LDV Hospitality, which operated Scarpetta. The restaurant will be located at 23 Grand Street within the ModernHaus SoHo hotel, an art-focused boutique hotel that was previously The James Hotel. The space itself was most recently home to another restaurant with a retractable roof, Twenty Three Grand, which opened in the spring of 2023. Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet with room for up to 300 guests, the design from Kondylis NYC Design House is described as "Earth-driven Mediterranean." It will feature multiple dining rooms, garden terraces, and a dramatic retractable-roof atrium, a nod to the restaurant's namesake, the Greek goddess of the moon. The menu will focus on pristine seafood, exceptional olive oil, and coastal authenticity, moving beyond a traditional taverna model. Diners can expect whole grilled fish, charcoal-kissed octopus, citrus-balanced crudos, and handmade coastal pastas, aiming for a refined experience that merges elegant dining with celebratory nightlife.
