My friends and I decided that a summer evening poolside followed by some Al-Basha and hookah hits the spot just about right. It will now be a tradition.
The Turkish coffee was delicious and presented very cordially by the owner of the place, after which he noted that his three sons would be serving us that evening.
This cuisine is hands down my favorite and so it's tough for me to complain as long as it is real food prepared by real people, and Al Basha is (the owner is Iraqi and as mentioned, his family helps run the place). The hummus was the amazingly flavorful--watch out Ali Babba Grill. My friend's vegetarian platter was huge and full of (heart-shaped) falafel and all the other standard good stuff. My lamb kabob could be considered a bit dry, but I enjoyed the char on the outside with the burst of seasoned flavor that was inside. The garnishes and salad were served with a lot of fresh parsley, which was a refreshing touch. The pita were nothing special--Ali Babba, you still win there.
When I walk into a restaurant run by people from another country, I think I usually leave my ethnocentric ideals at the door. Possibly not all the time, but such was the case at Al Basha and the service therefore gets a pass. I had to ask for a water refill and it took a while to get the check, despite being the last and only table there. But the relaxing time on the patio overcame any complaints about that.
My wife and I went to Al Basha last week for dinner. Â We had gone about a month ago on a weekend and all they had was the buffet. Â The food was great but service wasn't that good. Â Last week was a completely different experience. Â The owner greeted us at the door with a huge smile. Â The food was incredible! Â I had the lamb shank and my wife had a mix of kebobs that were outrageous. Â We also ordered the veggie platter with hummus and falafel. Â The whole plate was amazing. Â Finally, I ordered the baklava for dessert. Â It was made with pistacio and when my wife, who doesn't like baklava, finally agreed to try it, she shouted out her order for one! Â I was licking the plate clean. Â What a change this place has undergone. Â You must take your friends and family there but if you want to order from the menu you have to go during the week...that's the only downside.
Review Source:Ignore this place. It was my first time there and will be the last for sure. I don't know much about Arab food but trust me, this is nothing like what I"ve had when I was in Dubai. The food was cold, boring and the service was INTERESTING. My boyfriend and I went there because it was "under a new management" and near where we happened to be. We walked in around dinner time and this place was quiet. First warning: no customers, no good! We sat down and guess what?!! the electricity went off! Mind you we went in at 6:30 and it was dark, the waitress came and took our order in the dark she pretended like nothing happened. HAHA! She only acknowledge my boyfriend, only asked me what he needed and totally ignored me. I felt invisible. She was just a very traditional, nothing is wrong with that but I've been a waitress and we were always taught to acknowledge the women first. The lights eventually came back on and the man there, who I'm guessing is the manager apologized. The cook was nice enough to mold something we ate into heart shapes. Just ignore this place. There are better Arab/Mediterranean food out there.
Review Source:We have come here a few times, last time was pretty ok.
This time however the cucumber sauce as well as the falfel dip was runny and flavorless not to mention the inexcuseably bad service, the two girls there just stood over in the corner giggling and talking did no ever check on us, also the girl who took are order even confirmed it and then proceeded to give us something completely different...we were the only customers at the time...so how's that happen when they read you your order back?
After 20 minutes of watching our server walk around doing anything but bringing us our waters, we left. Before this, I was told that they didn't have 2 of the chicken dishes that I wanted but had other chicken dishes with the same ingredients, which led me to believe that the meals were pre-prepared. The creepy old guys smoking hookahs and staring didn't help the ambiance. Nor did the lack of artwork and burn holes in the tables. If these aren't issues for you, other reviews say the food is good, so, enjoy!
Review Source:My family ate here last weekend and it's decent. Â The atmosphere could be improved, the tables are unstable and decor is scarce with tv's blaring middle east music videos. Â The prices a re bit high for the surroundings, but the quality of the food was good. Â May shop around before we go back
Review Source:The place was kind of quiet for dinner so I usually think the worst when that's the first impression. Â Actually the second, the first was the hookah bar next door with fruity pebbles smelling smoke rolling out of the door like a magic carpet ride. Â Sorry I'm easily distracted.
FOOD
Chicken Shwarma - Very tasty, not the best but you can do a whole lot worse.
Kebob (Kafta) Sandwich - Very nice texture and filled with flavor. Â High point of the meal (when you add hummus and baba ganoush to it).
Hummus - One of the best I've had. Â Seriously good stuff.
Baba Ganoush - Another highlight of the meal. Â I'm pretty new to this culinary gem so I use it as a dip for everything except my napkin and beverage.
I'm coming here again as soon as I get my next craving. Â
BUT BYOB because they serve no alcohol which is almost a must with dinner (for me).
Service-5 stars
Chicken Shwarma Entree-5 stars
Kafta Kebob Sandwich-5 stara
Pita-3 stars
Hummus-2.5 stars
Pepsi-1 star
Cleanliness-4 stars
Decor-2 stars
The food is really good but I've tried enough shwarma to notice that their flavoring is a little different but super good. The kafta kebob was unbelievably flavorful (a little crazy on the parsley). I wish the hummus & pita were better but still a place I would recommend. Also, they have hooka and on friday buffet (not sure what time) for $8.95. Overall, I really like this place simple, inexpensive and flavor packed
SUNDAY March 08th 2009
Hubs and I went to Al Basha Restaurant this evening for our very late lunch and very early dinner.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a nice lady who happens to be the waitstaff. Â We were the only patrons there when we arrived at 16:45hrs.
The menu was simple. Â The eatery was clean. Â If I am not mistaken, this restaurant took over another restaurant that used to be in this location. Â I noticed this since, we have been driving around in this area for a couple of times before our move to another part of town.
Hubs ordered the Greek Salad. Â We were also given Pita bread, as part of our meal. Â For our main entree it happened both Hubs and I want to have the same food or liking the same food. Â We each ordered the Lamb Shank entree. Â Our main entree comes with a bowl of salad each.
The portion was indeed huge for me. Â Hubs give 2.5 to 3 stars for the Greek Salad. Â While for our Main Entree of Lamb Shanks we gave them 4 stars. Â The flavor and how they cook the Lamb Shank was just right for me. Â The Lamb Shank gravy comes with several carrots and potato. Â I suggest to Hubs, to return when my parents will be in town this coming Summer. Â So definitely we will return to try other dishes in the menu.
Hubs could not finish his main entree since he ate one big bowl of the Greek Salad. Â After the whole meal we were indeed "stuffed". Â Hubs have the Turkish Coffee, while I have the Hot Sweetened Tea. Â To me, the tea was too sweet for my taste bud. Â I requested a glass of water to dilute the tea abit.
By the time we finish our meal, there were many more patrons eating in this restaurant. Â I think the Owner of this Restaurant have Arab descents coz when some of the patrons came in, they were speaking in Arabic very fluently.
We have 3 boxes of leftovers of what we have ordered to be brought home.
I wish Al Basha Restaurant many more years to come and hope their business will prosper despite this economy hard times.
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