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French native Sami Saab is currently in the planning phases of transforming the former Dino’s eatery on Main Street into a Mediterranean street fare style venue.

“I lived in France for most of my life,” the 31-year-old said. “I came here for college. I actually went to the Brookdale’s Culinary Education Center in Asbury Park, then to International Culinary Institute in New York, and then went back home.”

Saab, who attended a French Culinary high school in his native land, spent his senior year and graduated from St. Rose High School in Belmar. He not only worked in bars and restaurants throughout his high school and college years in the States, but worked in hotel and restaurant kitchens throughout France and Lebanon for nine years before returning to the States to open up his own venture.

“I always loved Asbury Park,” he said. “It’s actually pretty funny; it’s kind of like a reunion for me because one of my friends from culinary school is the chef at [Asbury Festhalle &] Biergarten and another is at Brando’s.”

It was a return trip to attend a friend’s wedding in October that propelled Saab into taking the leap.

“I was checking some of the restaurants and found this space,” he said. “It’s a good placement, I love the windows, the light, and it was a good deal, so I said let’s do it.”

Saab, who is of French, Senegalese and Lebanese descent, said he’s decided on a street food concept born out of the Mediterranean. The fare will be influenced by Lebanese, Italian, and southern French recipes delivered as a healthy take on fast food, he said. There will be pastries, and specialty drinks like Lebanese lemonade.

“We’ll use fresh food, fresh produce and a lot of different spices,” Saab said. “I think the only thing that will not be scratch made will be the fries.”  

His plans are to incorporate an industrial/street decor, complete with subway tiles, that has its seating partially enveloping an open kitchen and order area.

The estimated time of opening for his year round offering is by June’s end, he said. There is no established name for the venue yet, but Saab did say he is toying with the idea of Sami’s.

The Bradley Beach resident also said he plans on moving to the city once the restaurant is up and running.

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