YJRG

Yves Jadot

At the age of 17, during the summer, Yves took over his mother’s restaurant located in the heart of Brussels while she was on vacation. When she returned, he knew it was exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

In 1985, at the age of 18, he left his hometown and began his career in the United States at La Crémaillère, a French Michelin-starred restaurant in Bedford, an upscale neighborhood in New York. After managing several hotspots in New York in the early 90s, Yves decided it was time to open his own establishment. He invested all his savings into the first Petite Abeille in Chelsea. “I sold my car and my watch, and on opening day, I had $300 in the cash register, it was all the money I had left,” he recalls. The second Petite Abeille, in the Meatpacking District, was the very first restaurant to take a chance in that area—at the time a bold and pioneering move. The group grew to four locations and became a beloved New York institution.

Today, Yves is one the owners of the world-renowned bars Dear Irving—with three locations, including some of the most celebrated rooftops in New York City—and The Raines Law Room, with two highly acclaimed locations.

Expanding internationally, Yves opened Confessions in Brussels, now recognized as one of the best cocktail bars in Belgium, and will soon debut Soan in Ghent.

“With a strong work ethic and a passion for providing an exceptional experience, I hope to surprise and delight guests both in New York and Belgium"

Alberto Benenati

With a professional career in commercial real estate development  and investment in Paris and New York, Alberto began collaborating with YJRG as a silent partner to help the groups’ expansion. He ultimately transitioned to the operating side of the business and launched several venues together with Yves. Alberto’s experience spans hospitality, commercial real estate development and entrepreneurship in Europe and the U.S

Meaghan Dorman

Currently Bar Director of Raines Law Room and Dear Irving Meaghan oversees the bar programs, including cocktail creation, menu rotation, events and staff training. Under her watch the bar’s cocktail programs have made several national and international prestigious publications, including Tales of the Cocktail Top 10 “Best Cocktail Menu”, New York Times and GQ, among other prestigious publications.