A Phiner Bistro opens on Lee

If you are looking for a finer fine dining experience, look no further than A Phiner Bistro. Named for its owner, Nigerian-born Phiner Dike-Jelden (pronounced Fena Deekay), this upscale white linen eatery, with a vibrant yellow interior, offers a fresh, organic and eclectic menu of world cuisine, as well as merchandise and classes. 

After five years on the other side of the Cuyahoga, Dike-Jelden opened on Lee Road (between Jimmy O’Neill’s and Golden Dragon) on Jan. 11. She said part of her decision to move to Cleveland Heights was specifically because of its diversity and because many of her customers were eastsiders who lured her here. And she’s glad she made the move.  “I love Cleveland Heights a lot,” she said.

"It isn’t easy to run a business," Phiner said. “You’ve got to have energy.” 

She added that the decision to open a restaurant enables her to share her gifts. “Everyone has a gift. There is joy in sharing. Life is about providing service.” This outlook is evident in her wide and varied volunteer activities with organizations from Harvest for Hunger to the former Cleveland Ballet. 

Smoked salmon pistachio soup, Nigerian okra stew, and baked plantains are just a few of Phiner’s unique offerings. She also teaches juice classes and sells products ranging from juicers to raw honey to books she’s authored, including one on the art of juicing. Gardeners take note: she also sells pulp from her juice classes as fertilizer. “It’s better than garbage!” Dike-Jelden said she is proud to use lead free utensils and china. “You are what you eat,” she said, emphasizing that none of her dishes are fried or breaded and that they are all gluten-free. Guests who prefer an alcoholic beverage with their meals are encouraged to bring their own bottle.

A Phiner Bistro is open Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hours are subject to change as Dike-Jelden gets a better feel for the foot traffic. Juice classes are offered on Sunday and Monday evenings. For reservations or class information, call Phiner at 216-320-0688 or visit www.aphinerbistro.com.

Christine McBurney is the theatre arts deptartment chair at Shaker Heights High School, a performer, writer, and proud Heights High soccer mom.

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Volume 4, Issue 2, Posted 11:07 AM, 01.19.2011