A new Mediterranean concept called Schmuck is slated to come to 97 First Ave. in the East Village.
The concept is a new creation by Dan Binkiewicz who is a veteran restaurant and bar owner based in Miami. Schmuck — a dergatory Yiddish term to describe an unlikeable person — is slated to offer an array of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern plates priced between $14-$22, according to its proposed menu attached to its liquor license. It will be housed in a five-story mixed-use building in the East Village and is expected to have 22 tables with 48 seats, as well as proposed hours of 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Proposed menu items include a burrata stick, pan bagnat sliders, pomme dauphine, chopped cheese, hummus and knafeh with ice cream.
Binkiewicz co-opened the trendy Miami Beach-based restaurant and cocktail bar, Sweet Liberty Drinks, in 2015. Its menu was created by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. He reportedly has also been involved with the trendy cocktail bar and club Blackbird Ordinary in Miami.