What's Happening in Huntington, NY…

Ariana, an Afghan restaurant in Huntington, has made a number of charges this month

Nazifa Kakar Rahimi owned and operated the place with her husband for 21 years. With his death, Rahimi was faced with having to decide how to keep the restaurant going without his help. Her decision was to add some additional items to the menu, and to remodel the dining room.

The menu at Ariana has always featured traditional Afghan dishes, as well as selections suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Now, Rahimi is offering hamburgers made with organic beef.

Calling the new item ‘CraftBurger by Ariana’, they will be served right along with classics like mashawa soup with mung beans and a dish called ‘bolanee’, which are turnovers filled with herbed leeks and potatoes. There are five burgers on the new menu.

Rahimi said adding the burgers to the new menu was a decision she made to bring in younger diners. She noted that the same Afghan, vegan, and vegetarian dishes are still available, but now people who prefer beef can enjoy a meal at the same table as their friends.

Among the remodeling efforts, Rahimi installed a full-size bar with late opening hours.

Rahimi might like to work with a flyer printing company to create handouts that advertise the addition of beef to the menu.