Wayan, a new French-Indonesian concept, has arrived in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan. Spearheaded by architect Shawn Sullivan of New York-based design firm Rockwell Group, the restaurant immerses visitors in a setting that is both intimate and vivacious.
The interiors of the 80-seat restaurant channel a modern French aesthetic while also transporting diners to Jakarta, the birthplace of chef Cedric Vongerichten’s wife, Ochi. Wayan, which translates to “firstborn” in Balinese, infuses elements both tropical and urban with lush greenery, rustic teak panels, and authentic carved wood pieces sourced from Indonesia.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a custom clustered light fixture as well as handpainted glass globes that illuminate a backdrop of white brick walls. The the dining room offers both an open kitchen and comfortable leather-upholstered banquettes accented with Balinese wood.
