The team behind local Greek restaurant chain Kyma is planning to launch a new concept in spring 2026. Selene by Kyma will open in a 10,000-square-foot space at ModernHaus SoHo at 23 Grand Street, according to a release.
“The space is special. When we walked in, we needed to have it,” co-founder Reno Christou told What Now New York. “It has a fully retractable roof and fully retractable side walls. It’s something really unique in New York.”
Kyma’s Christou teamed up with hospitality veteran James Ragonese, formerly of LDV Hospitality, to craft the brand. Selene is named after the Greek goddess of the moon, inspired by the design element of the retractable roof. Christou also wanted to keep a reference to Kyma in the name as a nod to the work they have accomplished with that brand in the city since it opened in 2013.
“We didn’t want to be limited by what we’ve done with Kyma, so we changed the name,” Christou said. “There’s going to be a lot of commonality in the menu, but we’ve created a scenario where we’re not going to be tied down by our own brand.”
As with Kyma, the offerings will steer toward island Greek fare but with some differences in focus. Selene will be seafood-driven, with an emphasis on fresh, simple crudo.
The design of the space will depart from the stark white stucco inspired by Greek islands and instead opt for more earthy, natural tones. Expect to see design elements like bougainvillea in the archways and microcement flooring, which will add texture to the space.
In the meantime, Kyma is expanding to a location in West Palm Beach, Fla., marking its first expansion outside New York. Selene will provide the brand with a new avenue to grow and explore in a slightly different lane moving forward.
“We want to stay true to what we’ve achieved over the years but allow for a little pivot or explanation of a new direction. Kyma has a place in the market and will continue to grow and expand to markets where it is missing from,” Christou said. “But we are creating a departure and elevation of the brand with Selene. We wanted to be able to create almost a niche market and an evolution to the brand.”
