Local 92 is a newly opened East Village hummus-bar kitchen serving up authentic Israeli fare. The spot has an impervious local feel from the food grown nearby to the décor handcrafted by East Village artists to neighbors dining by your side.

Besides the food being very fresh and locally grown, all of owner and chef Shai Zvibak’s recipes are authentic to his native Israel.

“My recipes come from my grandmother, mother, neighbors and neighbors’ moms,” Zvibak said.

Zvibak opened Local 92 to extend the hummus menu available at his other restaurant, The Hummus Shop, and chose the East Village neighborhood for his new spot because of the strong Israeli community.

“I am Israeli, and I make what I know,” Zvibak said. “Plus, I feel like a part of the Israeli community is in the East Village.”

The most popular items at the new haunt, which has been open for two weeks, include bissim — small plates — like purple baba ghanoush — eggplant dip — and entrees like falafel-crusted salmon. All meals are served with a delightfully spicy dish of chickpeas, and most menu items are served with green zaatar pita lightly drizzled in olive oil.

A fun way to order out with friends and not splurge is to share bissim (three for $13 or five for $20) like the popcorn cauliflower. The complimentary popcorn cauliflower was light even though it was fried, and the accompanying leafy greens were equally subtle and delicious.

The falafel ($9) was light and fluffy. The interior was pleasingly green and the seared brown outside had the right amount of crunch.

The shipudim ($18), or beef and lamb skewers, had an odd consistency and texture, but the chicken skewers had great spicing and were cooked to perfection.

Gallatin Senior Joan Kagan appreciated the homey feel of the restaurant.

“Local 92 really has a cute ambiance and might be a nice place to meet for a date,” she said. “Also, an essential way to judge a Middle Eastern restaurant is to try the falafel, and Local 92 passed the test.”

The hummus, which is made fresh every two hours, is the real star of Local 92. It is thick, and the balance between tahini and olive is just right.

“I eat the hummus for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” one of the waiters confessed. “It is just so good.”

The space at Local 92 feels like an upscale homecoming with live music playing at night and dark mood lighting that translates into a great venue to bring a date or a cool spot to spend time with friends.

Local 92 is located at 92 Second Ave.

Sarah Kamenetz is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].