Creating a cohesive menu out of the culinary heritage of diverse lands and cultures might seem like a daunting task to even an experienced restaurateur, but that’s exactly what Hitham Hiyajneh and chef Carlos Avia have accomplished with Fatoum Bistro. And it’s not just a whim or passing fancy, either. Inspired by his late mother’s love for Indian cuisine, and the traditional Middle Eastern food that he grew up with, this fusion feels like a natural and logical step.
The Bistro, which is named after his mother, is the latest in a series of successful food ventures for Hiyajneh, who has so far livened up the State College culinary scene with a slew of international flavors, from the Japanese breakfast cart Shokupan to the Mexican street food of Yallah Taco and more.
His partner, Avia, is known for being a longtime chef and owner of Masala Palace (formerly Kaarma).
But this newest offering is different from the others in that it’s more of a sit-down eatery than fast casual. With its minimalist but cozy decor and wealth of shareable dishes, Fatoum Bistro invites you to stay a while and go on a fascinating culinary journey. You’ll have a hard time picking just one dish, with so many tantalizing options on offer.
So what to expect from this adventurous and exotic menu? Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a wealth of spices. For appetizers, we tried the Mezza Platter, a taster of different dips served with pita bread (your choice of hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, muhammara, or tabbouleh), and the samosas, crispy and flaky dumplings filled with spicy potatoes, peas, and carrots, served with a side of tzatziki sauce. The beautifully shaped samosas have a lovely crunch and a spiciness that slowly builds with every bite. They are perfectly complemented by the fresh tzatziki sauce. For the Mezza Platter, we decided on baba ghanoush, muhammara, and tabbouleh. Extremely sharable, the platter is almost a meal in itself, with the tabbouleh creating an explosion of fresh herbs and the muhammara adding a level of depth and a little heat. The sumptuous baba ganoush is indulgent and creamy. Try layering the different dips for a surprising taste experience.
Other appetizer options include fatteh eggplant (fried eggplant pieces on a bed of crispy pita, with a garlic tahini yogurt sauce and pomegranate molasses), arayes (a Lebanese pita dish with ground beef and lamb mixture), and a choice of three street food sandwiches.
The offering of drinks deserves a special mention. There are lots of different options, from familiar favorites like mango lassi and matcha latte to lemonades, coffees, and teas. The traditional Turkish coffee comes with a dusting of grated cardamom and a walnut shortcake cookie. The mint lemonade is a refreshing mix of sweet lemon and mint, and optional condensed milk that turns it into a Brazilian mint lemonade.
The lunch menu features a wide array of entrees and Indian dishes (served with your choice of rice or homemade naan) including butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, chicken or lamb curry, korma and kadai, chicken jalfrezi, and vindaloo, as well as soups and salads. You can be as adventurous as you want or stick close to home with a Philly cheese steak or chicken and waffles. We opted for the mouthwatering fusion of the falafel burger, consisting of a fried falafel patty (ground chickpeas mixed with herbs and spices, such as parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander), eggplant, tahini, chimichurri, and pomegranate molasses on a brioche bun. It comes with a generous serving of battered fries.
Another of the standout dishes is the falafel crunch salad: a big, bright, and flavorful mix of greens, roasted red pepper hummus, pumpkin seeds, shredded carrots, red cabbage, avocado, and quinoa, topped with crunchy falafel patties, tossed in a zesty sumac dressing and topped with tahini. On paper it feels like there’s too much going on, but all the flavors and texture blend together perfectly. For those that enjoy seafood, the chili lime prawn salad is a great option, featuring chili fried shrimp on a mix of kale, arugula, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, shredded carrots, red cabbage, avocado, and quinoa. This is tossed in a spicy chimichurri sauce.
The dessert menu mirrors the globetrotting inspiration found throughout, offering among other things: traditional baklava, tres leches cake, indulgent pavlova, Indian gulab jamun (deep-fried soft, round balls soaked in an aromatic, rose-flavored sugar syrup), and cheese kunafa (a traditional Middle Eastern dessert featuring a layer of sweet, gooey cheese sandwiched between a crisp, golden-brown shredded phyllo pastry known as kataifi; it is drenched in a fragrant sugar syrup, and garnished with pistachios). Get there early for the popular Fatoum Love Cake; they only make one a day.
The opulent breakfast menu deserves an article all to itself and consists of tantalizing twists on Western breakfast staples like eggs Benedict, French toast, waffles, crepes, omelettes, and egg sandwiches.
The menu promises food “just like mom used to make,” which in this case means that every dish is prepared with an abundance of care and attention to detail. This approach elevates the simple action of sharing a meal to an experience, one that will have you returning again and again.
Note to people with allergies: Many dishes include some form of tree nuts, like cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and almonds, as well as blended spices. Ask your server if the dish you’ve selected contains any ingredients you might be allergic to. T&G
Fatoum Bistro
Westerly Parkway Plaza
532 Westerly Parkway, State College
(814) 321-8999
Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sherri Jordan and Luciano Sormani are the ad coordinator/graphic designer and creative director at Town&Gown.
