BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Street-style Mediterranean food with a high-end twist is making its way to Franklin Avenue, according to the owner of a new Bed-Stuy eatery.
Dinghy, a new restaurant at 504 Franklin Ave. near Fulton Street, opened at the beginning of June with a selection of Israeli-inspired sandwiches, hummus, snacks and desserts.
“I think the neighborhood is missing that kind of food so I saw it as an opportunity to bring and introduce it,” said co-owner Ori Apple, who launched the business with his brother, David.
Apple also owns the popular modern Israeli restaurant Timna, located in the East Village, and formerly headed a chain of hummus spots called the Hummus Place.
His new 650-square-foot outpost is decked out with decor influenced by the ocean, seafood and a “Mediterranean mix,” with elements like a fisherman’s net and shells, he said.
Items on the menu range between $3 and $14, including hummus made fresh with each order, chicken shawarma sandwiches, fried calamari and shakshuka, a dish with poached eggs and a stew of tomatoes, peppers and yogurt.
“Israeli food and Middle Eastern food is very colorful with its ingredients and spices,” Apple said.
“For us, food is like a little celebration, gathering people and family. We want to give the whole experience of dining.”
Other selections at Dinghy give a nod to Apple’s children, with a salad and homemade popsicles named after his daughters Neomi and Eden, and a dessert of vanilla ice cream and strawberries that comes with a syringe full of chocolate for his son, called “Yuval At A Doctor’s Visit.”
The eatery looks to serve beer, wine and cocktails, the owner added, and recently received support from Brooklyn’s Community Board 3 for a liquor license application.
Dinghy is open from Monday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the owners plan to extend operating hours in the coming months.
