If there’s one thing Matthew Kenney is going to do, it’s open a vegan restaurant. The celebrity chef and restaurateur has launched dozens of plant-based eateries throughout his career, weathering plenty of closures along the way. But he’s never been deterred from opening more. His latest project? Besos, a whole-food, plant-based concept in Birmingham, MI.
The new 100-seat restaurant, which serves brunch by day and keeps its kitchen open until midnight every night, showcases Kenney’s trademark ability to transform plants into elevated, flavor-packed dishes. Dinner menu highlights include Heirloom Tomato Lasagna, Spicy Udon, and a BLT Wedge Salad, and for brunch, diners can expect classics like Tofu Benedict and Avocado Toast.
Besos
Besos is also a celebration of Michigan’s food scene. The menu features Detroit-style pizzas created in collaboration with local vegan chef Brittany March, while several desserts come courtesy of the local recipe platform Six Vegan Sisters.
“Besos is about raising the bar for what people expect when they dine out, bringing a level of craft, intention and innovation that feels fresh to this community,” said Kenney, who has opened the restaurant with local entrepreneur Dana Weeks.
“We saw an opportunity to introduce something distinctly different here, and we could not pass up the chance to share that experience.”
Matthew Kenney isn’t giving up on vegan restaurants
Kenney’s restaurant empire was once vast, with concepts including Baia in San Francisco, Adesse in London, Plant City in Providence, three Plant Food + Wine locations, and multiple Double Zero pizzerias across the US.
Today, however, his portfolio is considerably smaller, consisting of Double Zero in New York and the newly opened Besos, as well as a vegan spot in Beirut, Lebanon. The chef has also branched into technology with the launch of DreamChef AI, a recipe development platform he describes as “the world’s first food intelligence program.”
Besos
According to Weeks, Kenney’s track record is what inspired Weeks to partner with Kenney.
“His concepts are consistently impressive in a way that stays with you, and to now be opening Besos with Matthew here in Birmingham is incredibly special,” he said. “I’m grateful for the partnership and proud to help bring something so unique and thoughtfully executed to metro Detroit.”
While many headlines in recent years have often focused on vegan restaurant closures, Kenney’s latest venture isn’t the only sign that demand for plant-based dining remains strong.
In Brooklyn, new vegan café Nacha Focaccia is thriving, while vegan fast-food chain Mr. Charlie’s continues to expand. And in Austin, Texas, fan-favorite Counter Culture is preparing for a comeback after closing its doors in 2022.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
