July 29, 2016 Staff Report
A popular 31st Street Indian restaurant is expanding and is taking over the space beside it that was previously occupied by a cabinet store.
Taste of Bengal, which offers Bengali, Indian and Pakistani cuisine, has been operating out of its 28-27 31st Street location since April 2013 primarily offering take-out. The restaurant has offered eight seats since its inception.
In early August, the restaurant will unveil its additional space that will make room for 15 more seats taking the total to over 20.
The decision to expand was prompted by strong business.
“Our customers have been asking us for more dining space for some time,” said Ruhel, the owner of the restaurant. “We also need more kitchen space: we average about 80 deliveries over the weekends.”
Ruhel said it is a family-run business, with his parents doing the cooking. He handles the management and said he will be bringing on additional staff. The menu will be the same in the short term.
The family has been in the country for about 12 years ago, and has lived in Astoria the entire time.
He said the majority of the restaurant’s customers are westerners.
The restaurant also plans to expand its hours.
It will be open from 12 pm to 11 pm seven days a week. The restaurant will continue to do deliveries.
