A New Asian Fusion Restaurant Called Bananas is Getting Underway

Bananas is an Asian fusion restaurant coming to the East Village in the coming months.

According to a liquor license application the owners of Bananas have filed for 174 1st Ave, the maximum capacity for the space is 74 people across 27 tables with 54 seats. The application also hints at a connection between Bananas and Yo Yo Sushi .

Christopher Ng is listed as a principal for the business on a liquor license application, but a post on Bananas’ Instagram page indicates there are three partners behind the new business. The trio seem to have been working on this project for 18 months. They signed a lease for the space on 1st Ave back in April.

Based on early renderings uploaded to Bananas’ Instagram page, the restaurant will have a bar counter top, booth seating, display shelving, and 3-D art on some of the walls. A few drawings included in the liquor license application indicate an outdoor seating area with bench seating for 12.

The menu does not yet seem to be locked down, but current experimental dishes have included seafood and steak. A sample menu on the application has dishes like ratatouille, salmon sashimi, egg roll wellington, squid ink fried rice and lasagna. The dessert menu that was shared has some playful takes on the business’ namesake fruit. There will be banana bread with funfetti, grilled banana PB&Js and banana cream rice crispies.

A post on social media indicates plans for an illuminated sign out front with a clear box underneath filled with toy bananas.

Based on Bananas’ responses to comments on its social media posts, they are aiming to open in September.

Keep up with What Now New York’s restaurant, retail, and real estate scoop by subscribing to our newsletter , liking us on Facebook , and following us on Twitter . Opening a restaurant? Browse our Preferred Partners .