The third restaurant from Kreshnik Berisha and David Khabulian boasts a menu of Georgian dishes alongside staple cuisine of the Ironbound.
Sihana Bistro, a restaurant that blends Mediterranean cuisine with Georgian flavors, is now open for all day eats and drinks in Newark.
The Bistro, located in the Newark Urby community hub and apartment building, is the third venture in Newark from Kreshnik Berisha and David Khabuliani; they’ve also opened Sihana Cafe, a no-frills breakfast and lunch spot, and Five Corners Ristorante, a classic Italian restaurant.
Sihana Bistro pays homage to Khabuliani’s roots in the Republic of Georgia as well as the Mediterranean culinary traditions present in many of the restaurants in Newark’s Ironbound district.
On the menu, you’ll find Georgian cuisine like khinkali (a dumpling made of twisted knobs of dough and stuffed with meat or vegetables and spices), adjaruli khachapuri (boat-shaped cheese bread made with egg yolk, cheese and butter) and lobio stew (a traditional red bean stew with pickles and housemade bread).
As for the Mediterranean dishes on the menu, there are dishes familiar to the Ironbound like patatas bravas with spicy aioli, paella, steak frites, spaghetti vongole and more.
Sihana Bistro also serves breakfast and brunch: choose from classics with a Mediterranean flare like eggs Benedict on housemade focaccia, a chorizo omelette, steak and eggs with chimichurri, pancakes, waffles and more.
Drinks include craft cocktails made from Newark’s own All Points West Distillery spirits as well as a globally sourced wine and beer list.
In addition to the food offerings, Sihana hosts live music in the restaurant every Sunday from 6-9 p.m. and also leads hands-on culinary workshops. In these classes, participants pull on a chef’s jacket and explore kitchen techniques, food safety and plating artistry before enjoying a three-course meal of their own creation.
Berisha, a Rutgers-Newark graduate with a background in winemaking, and Khabuliani, a hospitality expert, have earned a loyal following with their first two ventures, which they credit to their commitment to serve their community. Sihana Café survived a pandemic opening and partnered with the Newark Library to house a secondhand bookshop and showcase local art. They also partnered with the local branch of World Central Kitchen to serve over 30,000 meals to those in need during the pandemic.
“Newark is not just where we work — it’s home,” Berisha said in a press release. “Sihana Bistro represents our continued commitment to this incredible city and its people.”
Go: Sihana Bistro. 159 Washington St., Newark; (973) 995-0040, sihanabistro.com.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@gannett.com.