The ownership team behind an Ironbound eatery that burst on the scene just about five years ago has taken their culinary talents to Downtown Newark as Sihana Bistro has officially launched for business inside one of the city’s newest developments.
Located on the ground floor of Newark Urby at 159 Washington Street inside space formerly occupied by Kinjo, Sihana Bistro comes courtesy Kreshnik Berisha and David Khabuliani. The former is a local and Rutgers-Newark graduate, while Khabuliani is originally from the Republic of Georgia with a hospitality background.
The pair own Five Corners Ristorante and Sihana Café, which opened in the Ironbound during 2020 and quickly became a community staple. The café partnered with Newark Central Kitchen to serve over 30,000 meals to shelters, senior centers, and places of faith during the pandemic and also houses a secondhand bookshop in partnership with the Newark Library.
“Newark is not just where we work – it’s home,” says Kreshnik Berisha, Founder of Sihana. “Sihana Bistro represents our continued commitment to this incredible city and its people. At Newark Urby, we have the opportunity to create something that connects residents, visitors, and the broader community through food, art, and culture.”
Sihana Bistro’s menu pays homage to the Mediterranean culinary traditions of Newark’s Ironbound while infusing Georgian flavors and inspirations from surrounding regions. Jersey Digs was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at some of the dishes including the Khinkali, a dumpling in Georgian cuisine made of twisted knobs of dough and stuffed with meat or vegetables and spices.
Other highlights on the main course menu include a steak frites with Bearnaise sauce or the Sihana Burger, which blends a caramelized onions and dill emulsion. Other unique offerings include an Adjaruli Khachapuri, which is a boat-shaped Georgian cheese bread with egg yolk.
Sihana Bistro is a day-to-night affair, with the restaurant also offering a brunch and lunch menu. A thoughtfully curated wine list that showcases both local and international varieties is complemented by a cocktail menu featuring locally produced spirits from Newark’s All Points West Distillery (the Nork! Fashioned with rum and velvet falernum is a personal favorite).
Beyond dining, Sihana Bistro is looking to fill a void in Newark’s food scene with a hands-on culinary experience. The business is offering interactive cooking classes that explore kitchen techniques, food safety, and plating artistry that culminate in a three-course meal of their own creation.
If music is more your scene, Sunday @ the Bistro sees Newark native and resident musician Janétza Miranda deliver soulful performances starting at 6 p.m. The restaurant is hoping to not just serve residents of the Urby complex but also interact with the greater community.
“I think one of the knocks on development often is it disrupts the flow of a neighborhood,” says David Barry, founder and CEO of Urby. “We’re committed to this public-facing bistro, where there’s a local operator, a local team, that’s really stitching together the existing community of Newark with the new residents in the new building.”
“Kreshnik and David have built an impressive legacy in Newark, blending culinary excellence with a heartfelt commitment to community enrichment, and we’re thrilled to have them continue that legacy here,” he added.
Sihana Bistro is now open daily for brunch, lunch and dinner service from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. They can be followed on Instagram at the handle @sihanabistro.
