Citing strong customer demand, a rep told EVG that the vegan pizza spot has reopened at 65 Second Ave. at Fourth Street. Consultant chef Matthew Kenney has also returned.
As previously reported, Double Zero and Bar Verde merged in early 2025 to form Plant Made, which served a mix of vegan pizzas and Mexican fare.
Now, Double Zero is once again operating under its original name in the storefront next to its original space.
The northern storefront at No. 65 is now available for rent. It likely suffered some damage during the fatal fire upstairs in February 2025.
Drat! I’m glad for people getting jobs, but I’m very sad for those of us who have that row of restaurants downstairs with their chimneys pumping smoke and grease into our apartments upstairs. Nothing like choking on fumes from the wood fired oven chimney, much less all the other restaurant’s chimneys on the block, in your own apartment.
ReplyDeleteHmph. From a NYT investigation in 2024: "[M]ore than 60 former employees, jilted investors and frustrated business associates ... told The New York Times of a 30-year pattern of chaotic and reckless management by Mr. Kenney, marked by businesses that opened to positive press and then closed, often quickly and amid a flurry of lawsuits, unpaid bills and bounced paychecks. They said Mr. Kenney has been able to persist, despite repeated failures to meet his financial obligations, in part because of his prominent role since the mid-2000s in promoting vegan cooking. ... Mr. Kenney’s business woes were no secret. The chef and his companies have been named in dozens of lawsuits in at least nine states, alleging a variety of misdeeds including illegal labor practices and stiffing creditors, landlords and employees. According to public records, Mr. Kenney owes $1.2 million in back taxes in New York State alone.
ReplyDelete"Yet Mr. Kenney maintained what appeared to be a glamorous lifestyle — including renting a $20,000-a-month house in West Los Angeles — paid for in part by his companies.
"Other aspects of Mr. Kenney’s conduct seemed to be at odds with the holistic, empathetic ethos his brand espouses. He was sued for harassment and discrimination by a Black employee, for instance, and in graphic text messages with a co-worker, viewed by The Times, he frequently used racist and misogynistic language."
Great to see Double Zero back where it belongs on Second Avenue. The neighborhood clearly missed it, and the return feels like a reset to what made the place special in the first place—simple, focused, and consistently good. There’s something refreshing about a brand recognizing its roots and leaning back into them with confidence.
ReplyDeleteThe return of Matthew Kenney is especially exciting. His influence has always brought a certain level of creativity and refinement to plant-based dining, and having him back signals a serious commitment to quality. It’s not just a reopening—it feels like a proper comeback, with the right people