Arabian Nights looks to open Uptown in January

OXFORD — A new restaurant will bring a different flavor to Oxford. Arabian Nights, a Middle Eastern eatery, is set to open in the former Maid Rite location, at 36 W. High St.

“The addition of Arabian Nights Authentic Lebanese Cuisine to Oxford will provide another option for dining in the Uptown District,” said Alan Kyger, Oxford’s economic development director. “Currently Oxford does not have a Middle Eastern or Lebanese style restaurant. From the items I have sampled from their menu, I would say they have every opportunity to be successful.”

Arabian Nights plans to open in January 2011, with hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. the other six days a week.

Arabian Nights attempted to open earlier this year in the old Fiesta Charra location, at 19 W. High St., but were unable to secure a favorable lease, Kyger said.

The restaurant, which looks to offer quality food at a value price, will be operated by a husband-wife team. Farrah Akkoub, the chef and the owner of the business, has five years experience in the restaurant industry managing Maha’T, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Beirut, Lebanon, from 2000 to 2005. Her husband, Michael Tyree, the business manager, is a retired project manager from the city of Cincinnati.

Their goal is to create a full service, family-oriented restaurant.

“All food products will be prepared fresh on site using authentic family recipes,” Akkoub said.

“In order to maintain the ideal of a family-oriented atmosphere, there will be no alcohol served at the restaurant,” Akkoub said, “and children are warmly welcomed to this family.”

With the additional of Arabian Nights, Kyger said he hopes the variety of food offered at Oxford’s restaurants will draw customers from surrounding communities, like Hamilton, Middletown, Fairfield, West Chester Twp. and Richmond, Ind.

“There are very few communities that have the number and variety of restaurants that Oxford does,” Kyger said. “Hopefully we can market this great feature and encourage people to dine in Oxford.”

About the Author