Latest news with #SeiLess
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fat Joe, Jadakiss, REFORM Alliance, And Sei Less Host Father's Day Lunch For Families Impacted By Criminal Justice System
Father's Day, for many dads, means getting a new pair of socks or thoughtful text messages from family members. Fat Joe and Jadakiss partnered with REFORM Alliance and popular New York City restaurant Sei Less this week to provide an unforgettable experience for those paternal figures who needed love and appreciation the most. Seventy fathers, along with their spouses and kids, gathered in a private room at the restaurant on Wednesday afternoon (June 11) to be treated to the exquisite asian fusion menu that has made Sei Less a must-go for New Yorkers and beyond. These particular dads, though, were those who had been adversely impacted by the criminal justice system and were in the process of reconnecting with their families and society. Joe and Jada shared opening words of encouragement, greeted everyone in the room, took selfies, and even checked out some of the attendees' music. It was good vibes all around — with fantastic food to match. 'Working with Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and REFORM to celebrate these fathers at Sei Less was truly special,' Sei Less owner Dara Mirjahangiry said of the occasion. 'Ahead of Father's Day, we really wanted to shine a light on these fathers who have been impacted by the criminal justice system and support their re-entry journey with compassion. It was a powerful way to bond through culture, community and cuisine.' Fat Joe and Jadakiss spoke with invited media members before the event about the importance of hosting these fathers, based on what they see happening in the world and their individual experiences with their fathers. Though the two have long committed to impacting their community, they know the work is far from done. 'My father showed me the importance of family,' Joe said. 'Supporting our brothers, supporting our sisters. He never gave up on nobody in our family. The guy always had a party. He always brought my stepbrothers, my stepsisters. He always made us one unit and made sure nobody left out nobody.' Jada advised fathers in the room, and beyond, to focus on readjusting and not trying to make up for time they missed while in jail. 'I would say just give yourself some time,' he began. 'Being a family member and a friend of a lot of dudes that did bids, [whether] federal, state, or what have you, sometimes you want to rush to get the time back. Just take it easy and let the game come to you, as far as your kids, as far as getting back to the bag, as far as finding your niche in society. Just take your time so you don't end up rewinding the time the wrong way.' It's been an exciting time for the two rappers as they recently launched their podcast Joe And Jada, which The LOX member told us had been in the works long before they finally got behind the microphones. While the show covers a myriad of topics within entertainment, they equally value the power their voices hold in inspiring those who feel hopeless based on the current political climate of the United States, even at the expense of business opportunities. 'I think we motivate people, and we try to affect as much change as we can, but politics itself, I went all the way to standing next to Kamala Harris,' Fat Joe said. 'I lost money. I don't want to turn this into a controversial thing. When I did that, when I went out there like that, I lost million dollar deals from people who's like, 'Yo Joe, we ain't know you felt like that. I can't do business with you no more.' This is a f**king fact. 'That's why the importance of events like today is that you got guys like us co-signing these dads and letting them know that we with them, and we stand with them because they need that moral support. A lot of times in life, men, children, whatever they need people that they respect [got] to co-sign what they're doing in a positive way because it's just so much negative out there to get involved with.' Jadakiss echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the work must begin on a much smaller scale than people often think. 'It starts with self,' he said. 'We come from a society that blames and points fingers. It's not too many full-parent homes. There's a lot of single-parent households. But if you got some good people or you got some good will and belief, start with yourself and try to start to trickle down after that. We ain't going to do nothing as a people until individually we start living correctly.' More from The LOX Are "The Wildest" In Red Bull Freestyle Ahead Of New Project Mario And Jadakiss To Headline All About Us Festival This Juneteenth In N.J. Jadakiss Reflects On The Lox, Dipset 'Verzuz' Battle: "I Was Out Of My Mind"
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fat Joe & Jadakiss Host Father's Day Lunch for 70 Families Impacted by Criminal Justice System
Fat Joe and Jadakiss hosted a Father's Day luncheon at Sei Less NYC on Wednesday afternoon (June 11) for 70 fathers and their families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. The Joe & Jada podcast co-hosts shared words of wisdom and traded stories with the families on hand while munching on an array of delectable Asian fusion dishes at the Manhattan staple. More from Billboard Fat Joe & Jadakiss Team Up to Launch New Music, Sports & Culture Podcast Jewish Groups Withdraw From 2025 San Diego Pride Festival Over Kehlani's Support For Palestine Elizabeth Hurley Gushes About Being 'In Love' in Birthday Suit Picture Amid Billy Ray Cyrus Romance After posing for photos and selfies, some of the fathers even had the chance to play their own music for the pair of New York rap veterans throughout the afternoon. 'A lot of kids grew up, parents used drugs and parents in jail and all that — the fact that I had my father, a real leader in my household, and working and always kept me focused on the right things,' Joe said of his relationship with his father. 'Kiss reflected on the importance of helping reintegrate those who were incarcerated back into productive members of society. 'Just hitting that switch to let them know that they can come back and get right due to whatever hardships they went through,' Jada said. 'There's some hope now when you come back to get readjusted. Hopefully change your financial situation.' Joe also implored fathers who have fractured relationships with their kids to reconnect. 'Reconnect with your kids because sometimes kids can get bitter their parents were away in jail,' Joe added. 'You gotta find that bond. It's always there, but you gotta find that red tape to get in sync.' He continued: 'Start now. Forget if you messed up the last 10, 20, 30 years. Start now to be a productive father and get your relationship with your kids. … On New Year's everyone want to lose weight; I think Father's Day should be an adjustment with you and your kids.' Joe and Jadakiss hosted the event in collaboration with Sei Less co-founder Dara Mirjahangiry and the REFORM Alliance, ensuring that this Father's Day these families had something to celebrate. 'Working with Fat Joe, Jadakiss and REFORM to celebrate these fathers at Sei Less was truly special,' Mirjahangiry said. 'Ahead of Father's Day, we really wanted to shine a light on these fathers who have been impacted by the criminal justice system and support their re-entry journey with compassion. It was a powerful way to bond through culture, community and cuisine.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Newsweek
07-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Sei Less Owner Dara Mirjahangiry on His Celebrated New York City Restaurant
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. If you've spent any time in New York City, odds are you've heard Sei Less mentioned. Whether it was in a rap lyric, like Travis Scott's, "I'm out in New York, I'm in Sei Less!" or by following the unmistakable social media trail left by A-listers including Cardi B, Kevin Hart and J. Cole, it's clear that Sei Less isn't just a restaurant—it's a cultural movement. And the man behind it, Dara Mirjahangiry, has a story as layered and flavorful as the dishes he serves. Mirjahangiry, the son of Iranian immigrants, came to America as a toddler. Raised in Springfield, New Jersey, his industriousness developed at an early age. "I probably started working when I was 9 or 10," he recalls, recounting his first entrepreneurial venture shoveling snow and later expanding to summer yard clean-ups. Sei Less Founder Dara Mirjahangiry Sei Less Founder Dara Mirjahangiry Bianca He It was this spirit of self-starting that carried him through high school car-detailing jobs and into his first exposure to New York's dining scene as a teenager driving high-net-worth clients into Manhattan. "I continued that car detailing business when I was in college, and I would go home for the summer and I had a list of clientele," Mirjahangiry said. "That evolved into some of the clients saying, 'Listen, I'm going to New York City with my family. Do you want to drive us?' "I would do that on weekends, holidays and when I was home from school break. And that opened my eyes to the city." After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in finance, Mirjahangiry entered the mortgage banking world—but the 2008 housing crash derailed his path. A string of job pivots followed, from launching a Facebook-integrated real estate startup to working in student housing. It was a chance encounter that brought him into the restaurant world via upscale Chinese eatery Philippe Chow, where Mirjahangiry started as a server but quickly ascended to management. "Every table was a new client," he said. "You had to explain the menu and understand what their food allergies were, and it opened me up to dialogue with people that I didn't know. It taught me time management, how to course everything and how to progress the party through their meal in a timely manner while dealing with all the chaos that happens in a restaurant on a nightly basis." Dara's people skills made him famous at Philippe Chow, with athletes and rappers flocking to the Upper East Side hotspot night after night. But when the restaurant changed ownership, he was asked to sign a non-compete agreement that would have made launching a similar business challenging. Knowing those were impossible terms for him, Mirjahangiry took his tireless work ethic and Rolodex of loyal clientele and quickly landed a job managing Bounce Sports Club. But within a matter of months, the nightlife nature of his new role had worn on him. "I quickly realized, standing at the register at four in the morning, counting wet bills, it was not for me," Mirjahangiry said. "People came to Philippe because they wanted that food, and that's when I realized I needed to get back in the market of dealing with Chinese food." When a call came from Jue Lan Club seeking Mirjahangiry's connections to land the right Asian fusion chef, he assumed a general manager role there and once again created a loyal following, before starting his own venture. Dara Mirjahangiry, Wiz Khalifa and George K attend Wiz Khalifa "Kush And Orange Juice 2" Dinner at Sei Less on April 17, 2025 in New York City. Dara Mirjahangiry, Wiz Khalifa and George K attend Wiz Khalifa "Kush And Orange Juice 2" Dinner at Sei Less on April 17, 2025 in New York City. Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Conceived during the pandemic, Dara's vision for Sei Less was something of a membership club for the culture. "It was more about a safety net for the clients," Mirjahangiry said. "People in the culture, sports, music, entertainment, tech, real estate [industries], who are like-minded individuals, giving them a place to gather." Sei Less opened in early 2022 at a former restaurant space on West 38th Street. With partners who owned the building and a liquor license already in place, the launch was fast-tracked. "We reimagined everything [about the space when we took it over]—new menu, new concept and we were one of the first restaurants that opened up after the pandemic," Mirjahangiry said. Within weeks, celebrities poured in. The space became a haven for NBA players, rappers and tastemakers alike. Yet the heart of the restaurant remains its welcoming atmosphere. "Chinese food in general is family style," Mirjahangiry said. "Taking dishes people love, you have a vegetarian, a vegan, someone who likes seafood, someone who likes meat; you could put it all on the table." At Sei Less, that meal is prepared under the watchful eye of chef Allen Ma, whose innovative takes on classics like Shanghai salmon and Chilean sea bass reflect both tradition and modern flair. Seasonal and themed prix-fixe menus have become signature moments at the restaurant. Whether it's celebrating Women's History Month with dishes inspired by La La Anthony, Angie Martinez and Ice Spice, or honoring hip-hop's 50th anniversary with cocktails named for Nas and Jay-Z, every menu is an homage. "In the beginning, I was a little skeptical. I didn't think it would work," Mirjahangiry admitted. "But the amount of support, the amount of people who reached out, it blew me away." His partners, including Ivi Shano, helped cultivate Sei Less into a visual and experiential destination. "He's the one that curated the look, the design, the flowers and has a tremendous eye," Mirjahangiry said. "And I definitely give him the credit for the design and the social media aspect of the restaurant." Sei Less has become such a staple that its very name inspires art. Fabolous and French Montana filmed a video there for their song "Say Less" and even name-drop Mirjahangiry and the chicken satay in the lyrics. "We appreciate their support and we're flattered they believe in what we do," Mirjahangiry said, adding that celebrity clientele are never comped or paid to dine at the restaurant. "We try to treat everyone the same. If you're high profile, if you're not high profile, you're coming to the restaurant because you obviously heard about it somewhere. We want you to have the best guest experience as possible. Our staff knows what to do." While high-profile guests are often given privacy in special dining areas, regular patrons experience the same top-tier service. "The biggest thing with the restaurant business is what happened yesterday doesn't matter anymore," Mirjahangiry says. "You've got to redo it again today and tomorrow and build towards the future. Read more Ingrid Best: the CEO changing the wine industry one bottle at a time "We have a very low staff turnover. Our staff makes good money doing what they do and they're expected to perform at a very high level every day." Post-pandemic realities also shaped the Sei Less model. From requiring the prix-fixe menus for large groups to maintaining a curated reservation funnel, the approach ensures the vibe—and the revenue—remains consistent. Now three years in, Mirjahangiry is already eyeing the next phase. With successful pop-ups at NBA All-Star Weekend and brand activations with DoorDash and the WNBA, expansion is on the horizon—but cautiously. Inside Sei Less, an Asian Fusion restaurant located in New York City Inside Sei Less, an Asian Fusion restaurant located in New York City Bianca He "As much as I want to expand, I understand that not all markets adapt to what we do at the restaurant," Mirjahangiry said. "There will be expansion, and it's going to be in the right markets, at the right time." That mindset has given him more than just a hot restaurant; it's given him peace. "Success for me is essentially doing what I've been doing and what I love to do, but the peace of mind and freedom is something I never had before," he reflects. "Not having that anxiety of being five minutes late, now if I get there an hour later it doesn't matter. I know I have a good team. "I started a family right around the time that I opened Sei Less, so being able to spend more time with them [is great]." When asked whether he'd encourage his young children to one day follow in his footsteps, his answer is unequivocal. "Everyone should work in hospitality at some point," Mirjahangiry says. "It teaches you to prioritize, to read people, to manage multiple tasks at once. My kids will definitely experience it. I want them to know this wasn't given to me and I earned it. And it's not going to be given to them—they're going to earn it as well." That ethos—earned, not given—has been the undercurrent of Mirjahangiry's journey. From shoveling snow in suburban New Jersey to hosting the biggest names in entertainment in the heart of Manhattan, his story is a lesson in resilience, reinvention and cultural stewardship. And if you ask him what to order when you visit? "The chicken satay is our signature dish," Mirjahangiry says. "It tastes like something you've never had before. But there's something for everyone on the menu." Say less.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ice Spice turns heads at Paris Fashion Week after wardrobe malfunction in ripped leather dress
Ice Spice has once again captivated fans after sharing a series of breathtaking images from her recent appearances at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Posting a stylish photo dump on Instagram titled "princess in paris," the Bronx rapper dazzled in a range of looks—from a sheer dress paired with wavy hair to a bold black leather outfit. Fans quickly flooded her comments with admiration, complimenting her evolving style and expressing their support. However, the excitement didn't end there, as Ice Spice humorously took to her Instagram Story to reveal a minor wardrobe malfunction. The rapper shared a photo of her black leather dress, which had unfortunately ripped, exposing her behind. Embracing the moment with humor, Ice Spice confidently showed off her curves. The artist's appearance has sparked ongoing social media discussions about her recent weight fluctuations, with fans previously divided over her noticeable weight loss. While some expressed concerns, others are now enthusiastically welcoming the return to what they dubbed the "Old Spice" look, indicating they preferred her previous physique. Regardless, fans reiterated that Ice Spice is ultimately the only one who should determine how she presents herself. Meanwhile, dating rumors continue to swirl around Ice Spice and NFL star Sauce Gardner, although neither party has addressed the speculation directly. Their alleged outings and her rumored attendance at a Jets game have fueled ongoing curiosity, though the rapper notably chose not to comment during her recent fashion week appearances. Despite no new music releases in 2025 so far, Ice Spice remains firmly in the spotlight. Her deluxe edition of Y2K! continues to engage fans, while her prominence has also earned her a tribute at New York's Sei Less restaurant, which launched a Women's History Month menu honoring her alongside Cardi B, Lil Kim, Angie Martinez, Ashanti, and other iconic women in hip-hop.
