A new tapas-focused restaurant will open at 40 Avenue B next year, co-owner Alexis Casares told What Now New York. Almost Santo will bring Ecuadorian-influenced American cuisine to the East Village, with plans to open in March.
Casares is hoping to bring approachable small plates to customers, aiming to appeal to people outside the Ecuadorian community.
“I’m Ecuadorian myself. I wanted to really show what Ecuadorian food is to the world,” Casares said. “There are amazing Ecuadorian restaurants in New York, but there is no one trying to make Ecuadorian food for non-Ecuadorian people. We’re trying to bring this for everybody.”
Casares has worked at spots such as The Mercer in SoHo and Mister French in Gramercy. Casares is partnering with Crystelmarie Garcia and Rodrigo Sempertegui, who owns Fridas Mexican Cuisine in Plainview.
The spot will offer dinner and weekend brunch, offering menu items like cheesy yuca bread, shrimp ceviche, large empanadas, spinach potato chowder and albacore stew. Brunch items will include French toast and steak and eggs, and dessert offerings will include tres leches and soft serve. The beverage program will offer five to seven signature cocktails.
The team is tapping a chef from a Michelin-starred restaurant to lead the kitchen, though Casares is not disclosing the name of the chef at this time.
Plans for the space call for 34 tables with 76 seats and one eight-seat bar, according to community board filings. The spot will have a cozy, warm interior and will cater to those interested in a casual dining experience.
“I want this restaurant to be very approachable,” Casares said. “I want to make people feel at home. We want to get the food out there by being simple and focusing on the great opportunity of 40 Avenue B.”
The proposed hours of operation are 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday.
