Matthew Kenney Targets Health-Obsessed Venice for Next Plant-Based Restaurant

No matter how many steps back Matthew Kenney’s healthy food empire takes, the chef keeps moving forward. October brought troubling news that his namesake Matthew Kenney Cuisine company was shuttering his Oklahoma City flagship vegan restaurant Tamazul, only to be followed with news that a takeaway kiosk dubbed Make Out at Santa Monica place was also closing up shop.

Kenney’s team quickly unveiled forthcoming details for said kiosk to reemerge in Culver City sometime in early 2015. And now today comes even bigger news: the on-the-move raw and health food maestro is going full-bore into Venice with a full restaurant on Abbot Kinney. And craziest of all, it’s taking over the longtime space recently vacated by AXE.

Titled Plant Food and Wine — not to be confused with Colorado’s Frasca Food and Wine, a recent Eater 38 designee — the restaurant is aiming for an early 2015 debut, and will act as a communal dining space for all, with sort of a backyard dinner party feel. Think fire pits, lots of foliage and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor space.

At 70 seats, Plant Food and Wine is looking to make a sizable splash in the health-conscious area, with daily lunch, dinner and weekend brunch options right out of the gate. And, this being Matthew Kenney, the entire menu will naturally be plant-based, with the inclusion of plenty of house-made cheese. Sightglass Coffee and Red Blossom Tea will be on hand for brunch crowds, and late night drinks include non-alcoholic cocktails and a curated wine program with a focus on organic and biodynamic vineyards.

Plant Food and Wine
1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA