What’s happening with Hapina?

Kosher restaurant in Cedarhurst appears closed; patrons say it will be missed

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Rumors and web postings surfaced in mid-January as Hapina, a kosher restaurant on Cedarhurst Avenue in Cedarhurst, known for its Mediterranean menu and spiffy wait service seemed to close overnight.

On Jan. 15, Elan Kornblum posted: “I know a lot of people have been trying to post this evening asking about Hapina. As you know, I’ve been a little busy and distracted tonight so I waited till I got home to post this. I want to tell you exactly what’s happening without everyone gossiping and talking about what happened. It’s just not fair to the owners and their families.

“So, yes, Hapina in Cedarhurst has temporarily closed. However, there are many options on the table including a [restructuring] of concepts and new partnerships. If anyone is interested in new opportunities with them, let me know.

“The group and I have had a such good memories there and we hope that we will hear good news from them soon. We wish the owners good luck.” Kornblum is the president and publisher of Brooklyn-based Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine and the writer of the Great Kosher Foodie blog.

Steve Schneider, the owner of the building that houses Hapina at 128 Cedarhurst Ave. and chairman of the Cedarhurst Business Improvement District, confirmed that Hapina’s owner, Bentzy Wolcowitz, told him that either the business will be sold or they would be renovating. “There are no renovations going on,” Schneider said.

Hapina opened in 1990, according to information on its website. “The owner, Bentzy Wolcowitz, runs this family eatery, and enjoys sharing his love for Israel and the Middle Eastern-style of food,” a sentence reads on the site. Wolcowitz did not comment by press time. The restaurant includes two dining rooms and separate entrances, and can accommodate parties up to 120 guests.

In postings on Kornblum’s blog, several people commented that should Hapina not reopen it will leave a hole on the kosher food scene in the Five Towns. “They will be missed!” David Pere wrote. “We are losing affordable options (for some) in the Five Towns. Hopefully it won’t be replaced by another high-end eatery.”

“What a shame, they we’re one of the best five towns (reasonably priced) restaurant, Marc Hoscander wrote. “Love their food, love their service. I hope/pray they figure it out and can reopen soon.”