A new Kosher restaurant has opened its doors here on Upper East Side. BIS brings its bold Middle Eastern flavors and fare made from scratch to Lexington Avenue — all under constant supervision from the Orthodox Union.
BIS is located at 1207 Lexington Ave, near the corner of East 82nd Street, next to Warby Parker and just steps away from two other popular UES Kosher eateries, Saba’s Pizza and Grill Point.
The name BIS comes the Hebrew word ‘bis,’ which means a nibble, bite or a mouthful, according to the restaurant, which is what their menu aims to deliver through plates large and small.
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Created by Chef Maher Chebaro, the menu at BIS features a collection of cold mezze mainstays like hummus, moussaka and baba ganoush, while falafel, Zataar chicken and Yemenite meat soup highlight the baker’s dozen of hot mezze available — small appetizer plates meant to be shared.
Laffa wraps, Arab tacos, a hamburger, sloppy joe and chicken sandwich are among the larger dishes offered — as well as the mixed grill, priced by the kebab, served with rice and roasted root vegetables.
Desserts at BIS include decadent chocolate cake, cookies, sweet dips and a dairy-free pudding with rose water & nuts.
The fare may be casual, but the restaurant is not. BIS is a full-service establishment with both bar and table seating, as well as waiter service.
The tastefully minimalistic design features a row of tables along the restaurant’s southern wall, a long burgundy upholstered booth provides seating on one side, black chairs on the other.
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High top seating is also available near the bar, which lines the northern wall of the dining room, and along the front windows of the restaurant facing Lexington Avenue.
A large LED light ring is a visual focal point of the largely neutral-colored space. The bar itself features the use of warm natural woods and matching sand colored countertops, with lively plants and jars filled with fragrant spices adding to the Middle Eastern decor.
BIS is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 to 10:00 pm. On Friday’s, the restaurant is open from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm with pickups and delivery for Shabbat. BIS is closed Saturday and reopens Sunday from 11:00am to 9:00 pm .
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