Sei Less: Where High-End Dining, Celebrity Culture, and Nightlife Collide in NYC
There’s a place in New York City where the worlds of high-end dining, celebrity, and nightlife collide in a way that feels completely unique. It’s not just the food that draws you in, though the chicken satay with peanut sauce will make you forget every other dish you’ve ever had. It’s the atmosphere, the energy, the vibe that pulses through the room the moment you step inside. Welcome to Sei Less, the brainchild of Dara Mirjahangiry, a hospitality entrepreneur with an eye for disruption and an instinct for what people crave.
Mirjahangiry’s journey to Sei Less, an Asian fusion gem in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, wasn’t a typical restaurant owner’s path. He didn’t follow the cookie-cutter rules of the culinary world—he reimagined what a dining experience could be, turning it into something that’s as much about the people and the place as it is about the food. The man behind the brand is a seasoned player in both hospitality and entertainment, having worked across various industries where image, culture, and experience reign supreme.
With an initial background in finance, Mirjahangiry made the leap to culinary in 2007, taking a role at the prestigious restaurant Philippe Chow. Soon building his reputation as “concierge to the stars,” he became a trailblazer in the field, making his next big mark by launching the Jue Lan Club inside the former Limelight nightclub, a historic venue that was home to the original Club Kids movement. Mirjahangiry’s impressive growth within the NYC hospitality industry set the stage for his most formidable feat: founding Sei Less in 2022. Though he has followed this success by bringing similar energies to the hotspot Panda Harlem, Sei Less is the entrepreneur’s crown jewel.
“If you like good food, a great experience, and a real vibe, that’s what we offer,” he says, his words as confident as the restaurant’s reputation.
The space itself epitomizes a convergence of worlds: it’s where world-famous athletes like Kevin Durant and artists like Cardi B rub elbows with CEOs, influencers, and regular New Yorkers seeking an escape from the grind. That’s exactly the point. Mirjahangiry envisioned Sei Less as a place where anyone can show up, whether they’re celebrating a milestone or just grabbing a drink after work, and feel like they belong. “Whether it’s a date night or a corporate gathering, we want people to feel like they’ve come somewhere special,” he explains.
From its opening night in 2022, Sei Less became a hotspot—a place where art, food, and entertainment blend seamlessly. It’s more than just a meal; it’s about the entire experience.
“We’ve always said we’re not just a restaurant; we’re creating an experience. We want people to leave here talking about it. That’s the goal,” Mirjahangiry says. He speaks with the kind of clarity that suggests he’s not just playing the long game, but instead redefining the rules entirely. The menu is a reflection of that ethos: thoughtfully curated to cater to every dietary preference, from the vegans to the steak lovers, the casual diners to the foodies. Offerings such as the chicken satay, dim sum dumplings, and lettuce wraps have achieved cult status.
But it’s not all about the food—it’s the attention to every detail, the art on the walls, and the late-night energy that sets Sei Less apart. Mirjahangiry understands that in a city as fast-paced as New York, people aren’t just looking for a meal—they’re searching for something that feels different. That’s why Sei Less has carved out a niche with its own distinctive approach. Take the pop-up events, for example. Whether it’s an exclusive art installation or a surprise collaboration with a rising star, the restaurant continuously shifts gears to keep things fresh, always engaging with the cultural pulse of the city.
A standout aspect of Sei Less—and one that reflects Mirjahangiry’s deep connection with cultural trends—is the restaurant’s embrace of those connected to cannabis culture. While the restaurant isn’t serving infused dishes, the vibe is unmistakably welcoming to those who are part of the cannabis community. For example, the venue has hosted events honoring New York’s cannabis licensees and counts many cannabis industry leaders among its faithful clientele. Dara is partner in New York's #1
“Cannabis is part of the conversation, and it’s something we’re open to exploring,” says Mirjahangiry. The connection between food, music, and the plant has always been natural, and Sei Less represents that blend in a sophisticated and stylish way. The art installations and the curated playlists on any given night reflect a similar ethos—a celebration of what’s new, what’s now, and what’s about to take over.
The connection to cannabis is particularly poignant as New York, and the restaurant industry at large, begins to see a shift in how people approach cannabis, moving from a taboo topic to something more mainstream, integrated, and acclaimed. Sei Less, with its unique ability to fuse different worlds, taps into this cultural wave, creating a space that embraces the evolving landscape of cannabis culture. It establishes a welcoming environment, one where people can enjoy a fabulous meal, listen to cool music, and feel like they’re part of something bigger, while uplifting the lifestyle that so many people are now embracing with open arms.
Yet even with all the glitz, Mirjahangiry remains grounded. He’s a father and an entrepreneur, someone who knows the balance between ambition and family life is fragile. “It’s a challenge, honestly,” he admits. “But when you’re doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work. It keeps you motivated.” Of course, there are days when he leaves the restaurant at 2 a.m. and wakes up just a few hours later to spend time with his kids. But he makes it work because, for him, this isn’t just about building a business—it’s about creating something that reflects his passions and values.
The restaurant world, particularly post-pandemic, is vastly different from what it was just a few years ago. For Mirjahangiry, it’s been a time of reflection and reinvention. Even though the pandemic saw many restaurants shutter and others struggle to stay afloat, Sei Less emerged to survive and thrive as the city came back to life. Its team adapted quickly to the new reality with outdoor dining and an even deeper focus on experience.
“It’s changed the game,” the restaurateur notes. “People want to celebrate again, to be out with friends, to enjoy life. And as a business, you have to pivot. Some didn’t make it, but those who did have a unique opportunity to build something fresh.”
And that’s precisely what Sei Less has done: carved out a space that’s as much about nightlife as it is about dining. With late-night hours and a seamless shift from dinner to after-party, it’s a restaurant that refuses to close its doors when the world winds down. “We stay open later than most, and that’s something people love,” Mirjahangiry explains. “The city never really sleeps, and neither do we.”
Looking to the future, Mirjahangiry’s ambitions don’t stop at one restaurant. As Sei Less grows, so does the vision—pop-ups in other cities, maybe even a hotel concept down the road. His mission is clear: to create a brand that transcends location and becomes synonymous with cultural relevance, a go-to for anyone seeking a little extra energy on their night out. And with plans to expand, Sei Less is poised to continue shaking things up, making its mark on New York and beyond.
Mirjahangiry has built something that feels bigger than the sum of its parts—a restaurant that’s as much about the experience as it is the food. In a city where culinary hotspots come and go, Sei Less stands as proof that with the right vision, ambition, and a little bit of edge, you can create something that lasts. And as long as Dara Mirjahangiry is at the helm, Sei Less will remain an essential part of New York’s ever-evolving landscape, where the vibes are high, the food is fire, and everyone from all walks of life is welcomed at the table.
