Serial restaurateur Chin Mong is set to open a new cafe and bar in the East Village by the end of the year.
The yet-to-be-named concept will be his third East Village operation, in addition to the saki bar Hard to Explain and the newly opened bakery The Pastry Box. He also owns a cafe, Sip + Co., in Central Park South. He describes his newest venture as a cafe by day, and a wine and saki bar by night that has a “more cozy, chill vibe,” but is also “classy,” “a bit more vibrant,” and, above all, “more East Village.” He is looking to create an atmosphere akin to the cafe’s he used to work at that had relationships with its local indie music scene. He hopes to host indie singers, as well as stand-up acts, to perform during its evening hours.
“I think that’s kind of lacking in the East Village,” he says. “There’s enough lounge-type venues. I want to give back to the indie music industry.”
Mong says he is in the early planning stages, so many details are not set in stone. However he anticipates offering cafe pastry staples during the day, and small plates such as ceviche at night.
