QUEENS — Forest Hills Baluchi's, which was closed earlier this year by the Department of Health, is undergoing a major overhaul and will reopen this fall as a lounge-like restaurant, the owner said.
The eatery, at 113-30 Queens Blvd., part of an Indian restaurant chain which has five other locations, was shuttered in February after inspectors found mice and cockroaches inside. The food was not stored properly and the preparation area was not properly cleaned, according to the DOH website.
Owner Rohan Aggarwal said the restaurant is currently being remodeled to "have a lounge feel to it" and is scheduled to reopen sometime this fall.
The two rooms the restaurant currently consists of will be combined into one large space and decorated with furniture imported from India as part of the renovation, the owner said.
Aggarwal also said he is planning to launch a new concept at the location, similar to Brazilian-style churrascarias, where waiters come to the table with skewers and serve unlimited meat and vegetables at a fixed price.
He said the remodeling is not related to the violations received from the city.
“When you are in the restaurant business that’s something that is pretty standard,” he said about violations. “We try our best as a company to adhere to the health rules.”
Baluchi’s has five other locations throughout the city, one received an "A," two had a "B" rating, in two cases grades are pending, according to the DOH website.
On the Horizon
Two other eateries — Matiz, a Latin restaurant, and Thai Boulevard — will soon open on the corner of Queens Boulevard and 73rd Road in Forest Hills.
Thai Boulevard, which was located at 118-16 Queens Blvd. for more than 25 years, will soon reopen at 110-70 Queens Blvd., replacing the shuttered Fresco Tortilla’s.
The owners said they hope to keep their longtime customers from Kew Gardens and gain new ones in Forest Hills.
Matiz will replace Chikurin, a Japanese restaurant, at 110-72 Queens Blvd.
Forest Hills got another burger spot last month. Munch Better, in the Austin Street Mall at 70-19 Austin St., offers a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads.
