The Team
Matt
Abamcyk
Founder & CEO
Twenty years ago, New York City Restaurateur Matt Abramcyk set out to turn Tribeca into a small NYC town of sorts — or at least make the guests at his neighborhood clubs, bars, and restaurants feel that way. Neighborhood Projects Restaurant Group sprouted from Abramcyk’s desire to create memorable restaurants and bars with creative, artistic, thoughtful environments for his neighbors.
“We lived in the community, our kids spent their entire childhood in the community, so many of our friends live in the community,” he explains, “so we wanted to build a softer, more nurturing, and inspiring neighborhood.” The group’s newest outposts will include a second location of Smith & Mills in Rockefeller Center and a new concept at 314 West 11th Street, opening in late 2022.
Akiva
Elstein
Owner, Smith & Mills and Yves
Elstein started opening his own restaurants because he
wanted to design spaces where he would be a regular. As Elstein experienced the power of a curated environment on his guests’ experiences, his interest turned to interior design and hospitality. Without any formal training, he’s gone on to design stunning and distinct bars and restaurants that have left their mark on the downtown dining scene.
In 2008, Akiva and childhood friend Matt Abramcyk opened Smith & Mills. A concept that pioneered the industrial chic aesthetic that would influence New York restaurants for years to come. The duo went on to open Yves in 2016. A constant presence in the restaurant, as Elstein is a Tribeca resident, strives to create an ambience that is both refined and casual.
Akiva is an owner/operator of Employees Only, Macao Trading Co. and the now closed Navy.
Rachid
Abdelouahad
COO, Chief Operating Officer
It is not an overstatement to say that Rachid is a natural hospitality ambassador. With a Moroccan origin, he moved to New York City to pursue a college education at Wagner college, where he fell in love with the Hospitality and Culinary world. Since then Rachid had worked with some the most recognized institutions in the industry, leading multi-million dollar operations and units for the likes of Daniel Boulud, BR Guest, Landry's, and many other groups.
Rachid is a hospitality leader who has focused on F&B performance for over 30 years. Nimble at heart, rachid designs operations that are flexible and adaptive, From fast casual to traditional high volume.
Servando
Perez
CFO, Chief Financial Officer
Servando first developed his passion for hospitality by working as a busboy and waiter. He maintained a job working at Pastis throughout college (where he met
Abramcyk). Servando graduated summa cum laude from the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College (2007), earning himself a B.B.A in Finance and Investments.
Attributable to his employ at the Beatrice Inn, Servando became acquainted with restaurateur Matthew Abramcyk. Almost immediately after meeting Abramcyk, Servando began working as The Liquor Inventory Manager and Bookkeeper at the Nightclub.
Over the following twelve plus years Servando earned the
responsibility of the entire Finance and Business Management silos at Neighborhood Projects.
Erin
Pepper
CXO, Chief Experience Officer
Erin Pepper is a seasoned executive with 15+ years in hospitality across a range of segments including boutique lifestyle hotel, fine dining and fast casual restaurant groups. Pepper has always been on the pulse of guest experience marketing, pioneering inaugural departments at the executive level at multi-unit national and global companies such as BR Guest Hospitality, Le Pain Quotidien, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Restaurant Associates and Serafina Restaurant Group.
Her approach to brand creation and guest engagement strategy combines the traditional marketing techniques with the digital programming necessary to build brand awareness, loyalty and to spearhead growth. Pepper’s unique combined operational, managerial and marketing skills allows her to create strategic 360 programming that not only leads to a successful guest experience but also one for your team members with a scalability focus.
Her range of expertise includes but is not limited to; brand development, design, social media, marketing, digital innovation, guest engagement, ambiance, training, development and operations.
Diana
Creed
Director, Projects & Development
Diana is a driven service-minded professional with more than 10 years of international hospitality experience. Her expertise range from site selections, project lead for new construction, and managing properties through their opening. Diana has a keen understanding of front and back of house operations, restaurant and hotel design and construction, permitting and licensing, SLA, menu development, financials and budgeting, and marketing and special events.
Nilka
Bermudez
Chief Of Staff
Nilka began her career in hospitality as an office assistant, observing and learning all aspects of the business. It is then she realized her passion for hospitality, helping others and the importance of managing an efficient operation.
In 2012, Nilka joined Neighborhood Projects and honed her office management, accounting and organizational skills. She oversees the day-to-day accounting operations, vendor management and relations, human resources, permits and licenses, and constantly challenging herself to improve her negotiation and problem solving skills.
Alejandro
Bonilla
Executive Chef
Growing up in the central Mexican town of Huaquechula, Chef Alejandro Bonilla has pulled inspiration from his heritage, childhood, and many world travels since the start of his career. He began his career in New York City at Patois French Bistro , moved on to Applewood as Chef de Cuisine, and then made a detour in Miami with the desire of mastering southern cooking. Chef Alejandro joined Neighborhood Projects in 2016 and is currently the Executive Chef overseeing Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs, Yves, and Smith & Mills.
Chef Alejandro has a keen focus seasonal ingredients, taking knowledge from his past heritage and mentors for inspiration.