The Vibrant Flavors Of Israel Come Alive At The West Village Michelin-Nominated Shmone

Shmone is a fitting name for the newest New York City restaurant from Israeli chef Eyal Shani. Meaning ‘eight’ in Hebrew, the intimate restaurant is located on Eighth Street in the heart of Greenwich Village. Shmone arrives in New York after the celebrated success of more than 40 Shani-helmed eateries across the globe- Ha Salon and Miznon being banner names.

Shmone was just nominated for the Michelin, an honor it’s more than worthy of. The spot is run by Nadav Greenberg, the executive chef who holds center court in the open kitchen surrounded by the chef’s counter, which is the place to sit for anyone who dines.

I’ve now visited on multiple occasions and can tell you that a seat here is akin to a theatrical experience where you watch Chef Nadav and his team of chefs cook meats and seafood over the charcoal grill, chop greenmarket fresh vegetables into colorful, vibrant salads and drink glasses of wine. Chatting with them is part of the fun, and at at some point through the night, you’re likely to be proffered a shot of tequila or other spirit that gets you into a celebratory mood even if what you’re celebrating is being at Shmone itself.

Chef Nadav changes the menu daily depending on the highest quality meats, seafood and vegetables he can find. Scallops charcoal roasted in their shells with tomato juice and jalapenos, grilled calamari, roasted grouper and even a not so humble chicken breast with mashed potatoes and peas are on my greatest hits list, and the market salad, sashimi and beef and vegetable dishes are also exceptional.

Greenberg grew up in Israel and loved cooking from an early age. He worked his way up in many of the country’s top kitchens and subsequently opened his own restaurant bar concept in Jerusalem.

After an unfortunate incident where there was a fire inside the restaurant, and it burned down, he decided to change careers. He studied economics and received a Bachelor of Arts degree and then got his MBA. He worked as a business analyst at Coca-Cola for two years but still had a great passion for cooking and, on the side, was a private chef. Then with an opportunity to move to New York, Chef Nadav was offered a position by Shani to open North Miznon on the Upper West Side in 2019. In May 2022, Chef Nadav opened Shmone with Shani to great fanfare.

I sat down with Chef Nadav on the heels of the restaurant receiving exciting news about the Michelin nomination. The inspector said, “This small, sleek space punches way above its weight with dazzling neo-Levantine cuisine. Many kitchens boast about using fresh ingredients, but Shmoné takes that philosophy to another level, recreating the entire menu daily (a new menu is printed daily, too).”

The fun, creative and charismatic Greenberg talks about Shmone, a must-visit restaurant when in New York City.

What is Shmone’s concept?

At Shmone, it is all about the food. We take a highly-seasonal, thoroughly market-driven approach to products and ingredients. The menu changes daily, so you will always have a new experience. One evening’s dishes may center around just-to-market spring vegetables, and menus days later might be built around the freshest fish from local seas. For meat dishes, we get a whole lamb every week where we break it apart, and each day we use a different cut of the lamb on the menu. We will do the same with rabbit and quail. It’s an ever-evolving culinary experience at Shmone.

Can you explain why you have taken this culinary approach? Why does it appeal to you?

Before I ever worked with Shani, he was my mentor. There has always been a big focus on getting the best products available. We are putting a lot of emphasis on small farmers and trying to cook with what we find each day. As Shani says, “We will let the dishes seduce and delight right in front of your eyes.” Our customers are our guests, and we welcome them to our home, and we want them to feel our magic and have the freshest food possible.

Can you share some typical Israeli dishes that you have on the menu and where in Israel they originate from?

There has been considerable debate on what Israeli cuisine is. There aren’t typical Israeli dishes. But the Jerusalem bagel is a dish we all love. I want our guests to start their meal with this fresh bread that we baked ourselves with sesame seeds and zaatar, and they will feel as if they are in Jerusalem. It’s so good.

Israel also influences our vegetables. The weather is excellent in Israel, so we have beautiful bounty of vegetables. With our chopped vegetables at Shmone, we are inspired by Israel, but we take it to the next level. Our olive oil, sea salt, and tahini are all imported from Israel.

How is a meal at Shmone reflective, if at all, of a typical meal at home in Israel?

Many of our recipes and dishes are reflective of family gatherings in Israel. Our chicken recipe will remind many Israelites of the chicken dishes their mothers made for lunch after a school day. The typical chicken dish includes mashed potatoes and peas. We do something similar but at an elevated level. We buy the best chickens from a butcher in Brooklyn who gets them from a small Pennsylvania farm.

We age them for three days, keep the bone on and grill it on charcoal. The smokiness is reflective of Israel. The chicken is so moist, and we use the bones to make the brown stock.

When I was young, I would come home after school and enjoy chicken schnitzel, chopped salad, and mashed potatoes. So at Shmone, we use Yukon gold potatoes for our mashed potatoes with olive oil as the base instead of butter and milk. The chicken we prepare is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. And, of course, we add fresh peas. It reminds me of my childhood days.

What’s a surprising fact about Israeli food that most people don’t know?

Israeli food is more than just hummus.

Tell us some insider tips for having the best Shmone experience.

Book a seat at the bar! My chefs and I will ensure you have a fun dining experience. Also, be open to exploring new foods and experiences. Come with an open mind, and you will have an incredible meal. You go to a restaurant to release stress and have a great time. That’s what we do for you. You are here to enjoy the best two hours of your life. Friendly vibes, beautiful food, good wine, and remember, enjoy yourselves.

Shmone is located at 61 W 8th Street and open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight. For more information, visit www.shmonenyc.com or call (646) 438 9815.