Celebrity Chef Opens New Metro Detroit Restaurant

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Celebrity Chef Matthew Kenney has opened a new restaurant in metro Detroit.

BESOS, which means "kisses" in Spanish, is now open at 239 N. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham.

The new restaurant will bring unique cuisine, craft cocktails and a signature Detroit-style pizza to Birmingham's dining scene.

The flavorful menu will offer Kenney’s signature dishes, such as Heirloom Tomato Lasagna, Heart of Palm Crab Cake and Coconut Cream Pie. Other dishes include BESOS Quesabirria, MK’s Mac & Cheese and Steak Frites with Zip sauce.

The menu will have inspiration from local culinary artists, including It’sFoodDetroit owner Brittany March - who has designed the craft pizza menu.

BESOS has also partnered with Grosse Pointe-based Six Vegan Sisters on a selection of dessert offerings, bringing Mary-Kate’s cookies, carrot cake and more to the menu.

Additional insight will be provided by Quiana “Que” Rice, founder of Cooking with Que, whose work focuses on restaurant sustainability, operational systems and creating long-term processes that help food businesses scale while remaining community-centered.

"BESOS is about raising the bar for what people expect when they dine out, bringing a level of craft, intention and innovation that feels fresh to this community," Kenney said. "We saw an opportunity to introduce something distinctly different here, and we could not pass up the chance to share that experience."

Kenney has founded more than 60 restaurants and author of 12 cookbooks.

"I’ve followed Matthew’s work for years and made it a priority to visit his restaurants whenever possible while traveling," BESOS founder and partner Dana Weeks said. "His concepts are consistently impressive in a way that stays with you, and to now be opening BESOS with Matthew here in Birmingham is incredibly special."

BESOS will have seating for just over 100 throughout its dining room, bar and welcoming outdoor patios that extend into Willits Alley.

It will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the kitchen closes daily at midnight).