A new Asian American restaurant opened in the heart of Manhattan‘s East Village, Bananas is a playful nod to the term historically used to describe Asian Americans who are ‘yellow’ presenting but culturally white due to their upbringing in Western culture; a concept that the team has reinterpreted through food.
From chef-owners Chris Ng (previously of Blue Ribbon and Bond St) and Kyaw Lwin (previously of Yakiniku Futago, Hasalon and Michelin-starred Shmoné), Bananas offers a bold and inventive menu of shareable American favourites with elements of Asian cooking, “food for people who want to try new things,” comments Ng.
From starters such as miso Caesar salad topped with candied anchovies and crispy ramen noodles, to Char siu with caramelised bananas; chopped cheese krapow inspired by late-night snacking on the city’s beloved bodega sandwich; and dynamite fried rice topped with broiled masago and white mushrooms, “we hope that dishes make a lasting impression on people” continues Ng. And it sure looks like his wishes will come true.
Designed by Shoucair Design, the exterior of the restaurant features an illuminated box of bananas serving as a beacon inviting guests into the East Village eatery, while inside the 70-seat restaurant, the warm and welcoming space features cove lighting and various seating options including intimate counter seating and celebratory white wood banquettes, surrounded by the dichromatic banana leaf wallpaper.
Tongue-in-cheek moments of customised banana art throughout the space provide a humorous and ironic visual experience, including a display of banana charms in the entrance, a moss art installation and a skylight, which pair with the sapid flavours on the menu. It’s this visual experience that continues to the bathroom with a collection of Jeffrey Koons-like items in a banana sanctuary, including banana inspired animals, balloons and disco balls curated by the team.
Building upon years of industry experience to offer New Yorkers and other curious souls innovative Asian and American inspired dishes, Bananas East Village is a welcome addition to one of the world’s most varied culinary scenes.
Bananas East Village Photography, Raychel Brightman.
