Diners’ Journal: The Heights becomes a little more eclectic The Diners’ Journal is an occasional series dishing on the happenings of the restaurant world in Northern Manhattan. The flavors of Northern Manhatta n are becoming a little more eclectic these days. Mofongo and churrasco still rule, but recently the choices have become a bit wider with a few new restaurant openings, a few moving and a few changing names. Tabouli On March 1 the southern Heights received a new addition to the food landscape, Tabouli, on Broadway between W. 164th and W. 163rd Streets. The small shop serves standard Middle-Eastern fare, shawarmeh, falafel, hummus, babaghanouj and of course tabouli salad, which is a bulgur wheat salad mixed with fresh vegetables and Middle Eastern spices. Owner Mike Hassan who grew up in Washington Heights, and is of Palestinian decent said he thought it was time to bring this healthy cuisine to the neighborhood. “I’m a big fan of this food and there was no where to eat it [in the Heights],” he said. 3915 Broadway, 212-927-1100 Bistro Marrakech In Inwood, Bistro Marrakech, formerly Park Terrace Bistro, is now hosting Sunday night buffets. Owner Natalie Weiss said the $19.95 buffet is meant to spur business on a traditionally slow night, but also to give people a taste of Moroccan fare. “People can have a little tasting and see what they like,” she said. 4959 Broadway, 212-567-2828 Heights Cafe And recently the Jewish community west of Broadway received both a new kosher pizzeria and kosher sushi establishment, in the same restaurant. That’s right, Heights Café on Broadway Between W. 189th and W. 190th Streets serves fresh kosher sushi and hot pizza. Manager Ari Berman explained that, with no other sushi place nearby and the closest kosher pizzeria up and over the hill in Yeshiva University’s territory, it made sense to offer the combination. The menu is limited to only kosher items supplied by a kosher distributor, which for a sushi restaurant means there is no shellfish and all the fish must have had fins and scales at one time. 4413 Broadway, 212-544-9044 or 212-544-0041 Hashi Fusion Sushi Inwood North is scheduled to have sushi as well in the form of two restaurants scheduled to open in the near future on Broadway’s final blocks in Manhattan. Hashi Fusion Sushi, near W. 214th Street, will serve traditional sushi with an entree menu that combines the best of both Japanese and cuisines from Latin America, according to owner Hector Bodre. Ming Moon Buffet Down the block on the corner of Broadway and W. 215th Street, Ming Moon Buffet will serve all you can eat sushi, along with a host of other Chinese dishes presented salad bar style. Owner Lin Yan said he plans to open very soon. La Estufa How organic can you go? La Estufa, which celebrated its second anniversary last month, has rolled out a new lunch time item: a grilled, organic free-range, beef hot dog on an organic whole wheat bun with your choice of organic condiments. The healthy hot dog is priced at $4 with a bag of chips and available weekday afternoons. Owner Alex Torres, in his never ending quest to offer healthy dishes to Northern Manhattanites, also hopes to roll out an organic Phillly cheesesteak sandwich in the coming weeks. 5035 Broadway, 212-567-6640 Quick Bites: About two months ago the busy block of Broadway between W. 178th and W. 177th Streets saw the opening of a new Bakery, Floridita Bakery. Coral restaurant on Dyckman Street, which closed soon after it opened, has been replaced by a restaurant and lounge called Villa Patron. A banner now hangs over the Coral restaurant sign. Heights Pizza owner Ricardo Rodriguez is planning a grand opening after a soft opening five weeks ago on St. Nicholas Avenue near W. 191st Street at 81 St. Nicholas Ave., 212-795-2320 Indian Road Café has rolled out a new spring menu.
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