Anna Bajenova of The Little Shop at South Street Seaport is looking to open a new bar and tavern concept called Apt 5 in the Lower East Side.
She submitted an application to take the vacant first-floor space in the seven-story multi-unit building formerly occupied by Sakami in the Lower East Side. In 2019, she debuted her swanky speakeasy concept, The Little Shop, at 252 Front Street in South Street Seaport with Philippe Boujnah. The Vogue-endorsed spot offers cocktails and bites in an intimate space tucked behind a fully-stocked bodega. The two were formerly working together at a fashion advertising agency before stepping out to start their own business venture.
Its – in Vogue’s words – “unpretentious” menu ranges from vegetable empanadas to duck dumplings and cocktails named after their leading ingredient like “Turmeric,” “Celery,” “Tamarind,” and “Ginger.”
Apt 5 is slated to offer three tables with 66 seats, as well as a first-floor service bar, and its anticipated hours of operation are from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily.
Its proposed menu includes a variety of onigiri and dumplings with dipping sauces, as well as a garden salad and french fries.