Selene by Kyma Opens in SoHo with a Retractable Atrium and a Refined Modern Aegean Dining Experience

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Selene by Kyma

A new chapter in New York dining is quietly taking shape in SoHo, where Selene by Kyma prepares to open its doors in early spring 2026, bringing with it a refined interpretation of modern Greek hospitality that feels at once transportive, emotionally grounded, and unmistakably downtown.

Conceived as far more than a restaurant, Selene arrives as a full sensory experience, one where architecture, music, light, and cuisine move together in rhythm, inviting guests into a contemporary Aegean escape framed by the creative pulse of SoHo. Spread across nearly 10,000 square feet with seating for up to 300 guests, the space unfolds through multiple dining rooms, lush garden terraces, and a dramatic retractable roof atrium that opens to the New York sky, a poetic nod to Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, allowing moonlight itself to become part of the evening.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Selene by Kyma

At the heart of the concept is co founder Reno Christou, whose three decades shaping Greek dining in New York inform every detail of Selene’s culinary philosophy. For Christou, Selene represents the next evolution of a journey that began with elevating Greek cuisine beyond the traditional taverna model, focusing instead on pristine seafood, exceptional olive oil, simplicity, and coastal authenticity. Here, those foundations are expressed with greater refinement, blending ingredient driven cooking with an atmosphere that lives comfortably between elegant dining and celebratory nightlife.

Photo Credit: Selene/AKSSS Studio

“Greek dining in New York has evolved dramatically over the years,” Christou shares. “With Selene, we are taking that evolution even further. It remains rooted in authenticity in the olive oil, the seafood, and the clarity of the Aegean but expressed in a way that feels more refined, more transportive, and unmistakably SoHo. We wanted to create a space that exists between formal fine dining and high energy celebration, a continuation of what we built, reimagined for a new generation.”

Joining him is co founder James Ragonese, whose two decades in hospitality leadership across New York’s most respected dining groups bring a deep understanding of what resonates with the city’s diners. For Ragonese, opening Selene in SoHo carries personal significance, shaped by years spent building teams, opening doors, and watching neighborhoods evolve.

“SoHo represents everything I admire about New York creativity, design, culture, and an energy that feels both elevated and welcoming,” he explains. “When this space became available, I immediately felt its architectural presence and what it could become. Selene was always meant to be more than a restaurant. It is meant to be a social destination. For me, there was no better place to bring Selene to life.”

That sense of place is woven into every design element. Earth driven Mediterranean textures define the interiors, with linen drapery, travertine stone, plaster arches, terracotta accents, and soft Cycladic curves creating an environment that feels organic yet intentional. Custom furniture, lighting, ceramics, and textiles crafted exclusively in Greece add layers of authenticity, grounding the space in heritage while keeping the aesthetic firmly contemporary.

The retractable atrium stands as Selene’s architectural centerpiece, transforming the dining room into a rare indoor outdoor experience in downtown Manhattan. By day, natural light floods the greenery filled space. By night, the ceiling opens to reveal moonlight and city air, allowing the mood to shift organically as the evening unfolds.

Culinarily, Selene is anchored in clarity, balance, and respect for ingredients. The menu celebrates what the Aegean does best, seafood treated with reverence, vegetables at their seasonal peak, olive oil as a backbone, and flavors built around brightness and restraint. Guests can expect whole grilled fish finished simply with lemon and oil, charcoal kissed octopus, citrus balanced crudos, handmade coastal pastas, and elevated Greek classics prepared with precision.

Photo Credit: Selene/AKSSS Studio

Photo Credit: Selene/AKSSS Studio

Signature dishes include vine ripened Greek salad layered with barrel aged feta and early harvest olive oil, Greek style single cut Colorado lamb chops, charcoal grilled Mediterranean sea bass finished with ladolemono, and thick strained Greek yogurt drizzled with Kythira island thyme honey and toasted walnuts. Each plate is ingredient led and confident, bold yet refined, never rustic, always intentional.

A dedicated Aegean crudo bar showcases whole fish tartares and carpaccios with Mediterranean traceability, while tableside seafood rituals introduce elevated service moments that create interaction between guests and culinary craft. It is Greek cuisine interpreted through a modern lens, focused on freshness, simplicity, and emotional resonance rather than nostalgia.

Photo Credit: Selene/AKSSS Studio

Photo Credit: Selene/AKSSS Studio

Yet Selene’s experience extends well beyond the plate. Rather than separating dining from nightlife, the concept allows energy to evolve naturally throughout the evening. The soundscape begins warm and airy, blending organic Mediterranean rhythms with downtempo percussion, then gradually deepens into hypnotic, soulful textures as night settles in. It is immersive without being overwhelming, creating a coastal social rhythm that feels both escapist and distinctly New York.

This seamless transition from dinner to destination reflects Selene’s broader philosophy, hospitality that flows, spaces that breathe, and moments that feel curated without being forced. Whether seated in the main dining room, tucked into the lower level, gathering at the bar lounge, or enjoying seasonal garden terraces, guests are invited to linger, connect, and experience the restaurant as a living environment rather than a static setting.

Located at 23 Grand Street, Selene arrives at a moment when New York dining continues to redefine itself, blending culinary excellence with atmosphere driven storytelling. With its thoughtful design, ingredient forward menu, and emotionally layered ambiance, Selene positions itself not merely as one of the city’s most anticipated openings of 2026, but as a new benchmark for modern coastal Greek dining.