Mediterranean grill, Middle Eastern market and hookah bar to open on Siegen

The Siegen Village shopping center space that for years was home to the kitsch-classic Pancho’s Mexican Buffet is the site of a new Mediterranean grill that, eventually, will expand to include a Middle Eastern market and a patio hookah bar. Zoroona, which is Arabic for “come visit us,” is scheduled to open next week in the 6,400-square-foot space at 6900 Siegen Lane, featuring a wider array of Mediterranean cuisines than many of the predominantly Lebanese restaurants and cafés in the area, says owner Bill Qasem, who has worked in restaurant management for years but never owned his own establishment until now. “We are mostly Greek and Lebanese but will also have food from Cyprus and a little more variety than you are accustomed to seeing around here,” he says. Qasem chose the shopping center for his new venture because of the high traffic count and local ethnic population, and also because he knows the restaurant clientele in the area, having run the McAlister’s Deli across the street for several years. Once the restaurant is open and established, Qasem plans to open an adjoining Middle Eastern market and, also, a café and hookah bar that will feature live music. “It will really liven this area up,” says Qasem, adding the café will stay open until 2 a.m. “It will really bring some festivities to the area, and people will find a way out here and sit outside and enjoy a nice café. Not everyone likes to go to a bar … this will give them an alternative.” —Stephanie Riegel