News Brief: Friday, April 14, 2000

New Middle Eastern restaurant to open Bitar's will serve gourmet ethnic food at a quick pace and low price, according to operator Amin Bitar, a South Philadelphia restaurateur who runs the award-winning 25-year-old Bitar's Restaurant at 947 Federal Street. Yesterday, Bitar said Fling's festivities could have one of two effects on the opening at the site of the former Cool Peppers Mexican Grille, a fast-food restaurant that went out of business in the winter of 1999. "It'll show us the potential? or it'll give us a break," he said, adding that his staff is brimming with nervous energy right now. "Either way is positive." Bitar's will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday on a preliminary basis. The eatery will feature separate lunch and dinner buffets along with menu items, which allow approximately five to 10 minutes for preparation, Bitar said. "Unless we're sufficiently staffed, I probably won't get into late hours, initially," he said, noting that student reaction and the eventual impact of the neighboring Sundance Cinemas complex will dictate future operation hours. Completion of Sundance is slated for the fall at the earliest. John Greenwood, a top official for the University's real estate company, said yesterday that Bitar's will offer prices that are attractive to both students and the community. "We're starting to create a nice mix of owner-operated venues," Greenwood said, also citing the recently opened Izzy and Zoe's delicatessen on 40th Street. The Middle Eastern restaurant -- which will offer a grilled falafel vegetarian sandwich, pita pizza and salads -- will feature a healthy menu, Greenwood said. The "soothing" Eastern Mediterranean setting will include tapestries, old restaurant signs and antiques, Bitar added. -- Aliya Sternstein