Bedford Stuyvesant will soon be home to a new bed-and-breakfast and vegan eatery, reports Vogue.
Kai Avent-deLeon, owner of Bed-Stuy boutique Sincerely, Tommy, is teaming up with Chef Tara Thomas to open the boutique hostel S,T Eat & Stay inside a three-story Brownstone at the corner of Malcolm X Boulevard and MacDonough Street on September 15.
"Staying within Bed-Stuy, building within its infrastructure, and keeping the dollar circulating in this neighborhood has always been a priority," said Avent-deLeon, who first launched Sincerely, Tommy, a boutique that features a selection of womenswear, jewelry and home goods, in 2014.
The hostel's ground floor will be occupied by Che, a plant-based eatery named after Avent-deLeon's son. During the day, Che will operate as a cafe with grab-and-go items like cold soba noodles, raw cacao mousse and made-to-order avocado toast with Scotch bonnet lime salt. After 5:00pm, the space will transform into a full-service restaurant, offering both small larger plates with dishes like shiso fig salad, crispy tomatillos and tamarind-chile glazed cauliflower tostada, to name a few.
Inspired by Avent-deLeon's West Indian roots, the menu will highlight Caribbean and West African flavors. Che's beverage program, featuring natural wines, beer and herbal-infused mocktails, was designed to complement the food.
Thomas, who relocated from Portland, Oregon, had been hosting pop-up dinners around Brooklyn before partnering with Avent-deLeon. The two were introduced through a mutual friend and quickly bonded over the neighborhood's lack of vegan dining options. After a few test events, including a vegan brunch at Sincerely, Tommy, they decided to move forward with the restaurant to provide an inclusive, welcoming space for long-time residents as well as neighborhood newbies who enjoy plant-based fares.
"I'm hoping that we can host a combination of people from the neighborhood and newcomers and just get that space for everyone," said Avent-deLeon.
Beginning September 15, Che will be open daily from 8:00am to 4:00pm and 5:00pm to 10:00pm.
