Israeli Restaurant Could Be Heading to Manayunk

Oriel Elbahary just opened his first Pita Uno in downtown Philadelphia about a month ago and says he looking for his second spot on Manayunk. 

"It's different than the other location, I like it here, I like the people," he said.

Although there are still some unresolved issues regarding the development, the council voted to support the Israeli restaurant pending certain agreements.

Pita Uno, a mediterranian take out restaurant, is hoping to move into 4324 Main Street, the vacant building next to .

The 325-square foot restaurant would have 14 seats and its menu features pitas, including the traditional falafel as well as salads, platters and kabobs.

The proposed restaurant received a zoning refusal because of parking but Jane Lipton, the executive director of the Manayunk Development Corporation told the owner that some of the local lots are not filled to capacity and those lots could be cited as possible parking.

The restaurant also needs a use certificate before moving forward.

Although the restaurant was hoping to stay open until at least 1 a.m. because it is a primarily take-out restaurant, the new guidelines, established by the MNC and the MDC, state that a less than 30-seat restaurant must close at 12 a.m.

If approved, the business owner would lease and be responsible for the first floor of the property as well as the basement. That would not include the rear yard, which according to one meeting attendee, is site's biggest problem. It is believed to be rat-infested.

The possible property owner is in discussions with Pitcher's to see if the area can be cleaned up prior to him taking over the lease.

A second zoning hearing board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 20.