Pictured with a few new staff members, Sam and Tamara Kazzaz, and Amal Kazzaz, on the right, have added 12 members to their family team.

The Bistro at the River’s Bend Shopping Center has more than survived since it first opened in 2006.  Serving up tastes from the Middle East, Sam and Tamara Kazzaz, who have Lebanese roots, became successful and known for their large subs, hefty gyros, and paninis, but also for their vegetarian cuisine that includes taboule, hummus, and falafels.

Now very much a family operation, River’s Bend Bistro & Subs relocated five doors down to a space where they are able to offer a sit-down restaurant for 145 guests, a much larger selection in their menu, and the addition of the matriarch of the family, Amal Kazzaz, bringing more of the family’s recipes to the table.

“We decided to first try and open a small business in Chester,” says Amal Kazzaz.  “What we found is that Chester people are very friendly and they were very happy with our food.”  The feedback that Sam Kazzaz received through internet comments and his customers was that they needed more space.  “Customers wished that we had more room so they could bring their families in to eat.  They wanted to dine out with us for dinner.”

When a space in the same shopping center became vacant from a prior restaurant owner, the Kazzaz family jumped on the chance to build on what they had already established with their customer base and make something better.  The remodeling process took three months, with the family working late into the night preparing the place to be open.  The décor of soft green booths with tan table tops is complimented with the  scenes of Lebanon paintings that were created from a photograph of the Kazzaz family by Noel’s Home Designs, local artist.  There is also a banquet room to accommodate parties, gatherings, and meetings.

Under the watchful eye of the family’s matriarch and her cherished recipes, kabobs may well become the house specialty, along with their newly added pasta dishes, and soon to be on line – Sam’s guarded recipe for his New York style pizza.

The Bistro is open seven days a week, Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Delivery is available for lunch only and alcohol is available for dine-in only.  

The Bistro located at 13127 Rivers Bend Blvd. For more information call 530-2216.

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