Fatoum Bistro, a new dining spot in State College, has opened its doors with a unique blend of Eastern and Western cuisines. Co-owner of Yallah Taco, Hitham Hiyajneh, launched the bistro’s soft opening on February 28 at 532 Westerly Parkway.
Hiyajneh has partnered with the owner of Kaarma Indian Cuisine to offer an expanded menu that showcases a variety of international dishes. The bistro’s menu features a selection of affordable salads, soups, and meals, with soups starting at $5.99 for a cup and $7.99 for a bowl, alongside a diverse breakfast and lunch offering.
A Fusion of Global Flavors
“Everything I do is because I can’t find what I want in this town,” Hiyajneh shared. “If you look at our menu, we’ve brought the best of the West and East together.”
The lunch menu is filled with Middle Eastern-inspired appetizers, including hummus plates, fatteh eggplant, grape leaves, and samosas. Entrée options feature a variety of chicken dishes such as chicken tikki masala, butter chicken, chicken liver, sakalans, and a street food sandwich. The menu also includes a variety of other international options.
The breakfast menu offers an array of choices, from six types of eggs Benedict to five kinds of omelets, breakfast sandwiches, crepes, waffles, French toast, pancakes, and yogurt parfaits. Notably, the “Middle Eastern breakfast” section features dishes like arnabeet, ful mudammas, labneh plates, and two varieties of shakshuka.
Fresh, In-House Ingredients With a Personal Touch
Each dish at Fatoum Bistro is made fresh daily with recipes from around the world. Hiyajneh even named the bistro after his mother, Fatima, affectionately called “Fatoum,” and incorporated some of her favorite recipes into the menu.
“We bring in the taste of the Middle East and India,” Hiyajneh said. “I want people to experience the food. We make fava beans, shakshuka, and many other dishes. If you look at our menu, it’s very diverse.”
Hiyajneh’s Growing Restaurant Empire
Fatoum Bistro marks the 10th restaurant opened by Hiyajneh in State College. His other ventures include the recently opened Cluck & Catch, located next to Fatoum, and ShokuPan, a food truck situated behind Yallah Taco on Calder Way. Hiyajneh’s family also owns Yallah Taco’s downtown locations, Pita Cabana, and several ghost kitchens.
“I believe food brings people together. A meal can start a conversation,” Hiyajneh said. “It doesn’t matter your faith or background—if you like chicken tacos, you like chicken tacos.”
Operating Hours and Future Plans
Currently, Fatoum Bistro is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with breakfast served until 11 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hiyajneh plans to extend the bistro’s hours to 5 p.m. soon, with plans to stay open until 9 p.m. by April.
Fatoum Bistro is quickly becoming a must-visit spot for those seeking diverse and flavorful international cuisine in State College.
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