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Although we're partial to just about any sort of outdoor dining area in NYC, there's something to be said for restaurants that really think their spaces through and don't just throw a few tables out on the sidewalk. Selene, a new Greek restaurant that opened at 23 Grand Street in SoHo last month, is the perfect example. In addition to a gorgeous indoor space, the restaurant features a retractable atrium roof that transforms into one of the prettiest open-air settings in all of NYC, peppered with olive trees and the sort of diffused lighting that might actually make you think you've gone to Europe for the night. (The opening ceiling is a deliberate nod to Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon: the whole idea is to let the night sky into the room.) Add a second outdoor space, this one a lush garden terrace, and you've got yourself a pair of must-visit outdoor dining destinations for the summer. We promise the food is worth it, too.
But co-founders Reno Christou (of Avra and Kyma fame) and James Ragonese (who spent a decade with Philippe by Philippe Chow) paid just as much attention to the inside of their new 10,000-square-foot restaurant. Across three floors of dining rooms, every accent and decor piece was clearly thought through. The design by Greek architect Theodore Kondylis has been described as a sculptural, earth-driven sanctuary, and that's exactly what it feels like when you take in the travertine surfaces, plaster arches, linen drapery, terracotta accents and Cycladic-inspired curves. Even better: the custom furniture, ceramics, lighting and textiles were all produced exclusively in Greece for the project, which goes a long way toward selling the whole "slice of the Aegean dropped into SoHo" thing.
But does any of it matter if the food is no good? No but, good news!, the food doesn't suck. Really leaning into the Greekness of it all, the menu by chef Christos Bisiotis is cheese-laden in the best way, but most importantly it's small enough to take in fully and order a bunch of things for the table so you can truly get a feel for it. And of course, it's the fish that reigns supreme. On a recent Thursday night, the salmon was mostly just okay—largely overshadowed by the delicious spinach, rice and dill concoction underneath it—but the whole branzino cooked over open flame, the heart of the menu, was exceptionally good, especially paired with the roasted mushrooms in mavrodafni reduction on the side.
Basically, if you're looking for one of the prettiest new restaurants in NYC with food that's just as impressive—and maybe a high-end night where you're feeling a bit fancier than usual—Selene should be your go-to.