Casbah Cafe

Please listen to me: DO NOT GO HERE.

I cannot believe that a place like this exists. We came for a birthday dinner, and it took 40 minutes (and 3 requests for our server) just to get our appetizer order placed. The service was bad, and the service was slow. We were there for over 3 hours, and not because we were lingering--because the food took 3 HOURS.

We left a 10% tip because the server was curt, rude, and nowhere to be found. I had to get up 3 times to find her. It took her over an hour to open the bottle of wine we brought, even though I asked 4 times.

When she saw the 10% tip, she came over and demanded to know why, and I told her we were unhappy with the service. She stormed off, and as we were getting up to leave, the manager stood by our table scowling at us. One of us tried to use the restroom, and he refused to let us. He said "It's broken", but he let someone else from another table go back and use it. My friend called him out for this, and then the manager lost it. The manager began yelling at us saying he didn't need our money and to get out. By the way, we just spent $250 on dinner, so to be told we can't even use the restroom was absurd, much less to be yelled at. The entire restaurant stopped and starred because of all the commotion the manager was making. I worked in restaurants for 7 years, and I never once saw anything like this.

PLEASE DO NOT GO HERE. They were so rude and I can't believe they treat people like this.

Horrid Service but good food - bring a book because you are going to be waiting (literally you will be leading the service staff).

Before I start I know that the British get a bad rep for low tipping, however I really think it is common sense not to tip high for crap service.

The food at this place is great, the flavors are authentic and the menu offers a wide variety.  This unfortunately is the only positive I can write about Casbah.

Having spent a lot of time in the Mediterranean sailing around the Coasts of Italy, Greece and Turkey I have consumed more than my fair share of the style on offer at Casbah.  What is totally different though is the service.

Having to request several times for appetizer orders, wine to be opened and our main order to be taken, it was more than an hour before appetizers slowly started to appear.  Over TWO HOURS passed by before we finally got into our entrees (which is must be said again were of a good quality).  That said the fact we were constantly chasing the waiting staff up for such fundamental and basic service left a sour taste in our mouths.  I have yet to be at a Mediterranean restaurant and go for vast quantities of time without food on the table (yes the pace is slower but there is always something to eat so it doesn't seem like you are waiting).

Enter the bill, and according to custom as I understand it, we tipped 10%.  (Back in the Med they would have got a big fat 0% trust me).

To then be challenged and rudely dealt with as to the tip was quite frankly disgusting.  Quite how an establishment can demand more money that is not formally billed is beyond me - if you expect it then put a service charge down in writing.

My advice for all of you, if you want the food here, ask for take-out, and it would probably be best for you to order two days in advance so that you stand a chance of eating at a reasonable hour.

It is so sad to be writing such a negative review for a place that could be fantastic.  Ammex not accepted.

Before you read anything else, order the Lamb couscous or the Chicken & Mushroom cous cous. You will not be disappointed.

Welp, I pretty much just gave away the show, but I'm pretty sure everything here is amazing.
I've lived in this hood for five years and only found myself itching to go here once. A pal had been here a couple times and raved about it, but it's such a small place that sometimes I wouldn't bother.

Don't do what I did, and make sure you come here!! It's BYOB, too, if you hadn't gathered that already.

A friend and I brought some wine and started with the hummus app. The bread was soft, and they gave us two large pieces cut in halves. The hummus wasn't greasy and was lightly coated with some oil and fresh bits of tomatoes.

We were the only ones in the restaurant (on a Monday night) and the service was European style--aka slow because everything is made to order. We had a great time catching up, but if you're in a hurry, maybe it's not for you. But listen to me, it's worth it, so buckle down.

We both ordered entrees which come with a soup or salad. We both ordered the ginger carrot soup which was awesome. It was exactly as described, very mellow, but a good strong flavor of equal parts carrot and ginger. I don't think anyone would find this soup offensive, even strict carnivores :)

The lamb dish is served over couscous with a light sauce. There were about 5 or 6 tender lamb medallions. They were perfectly seared on the outside and warm and tender on the inside.

The chicken and mushroom was served over a rich and creamy white wine sauce. They did not skimp on the mushrooms. Your couscous is served on the side so you can add however much you want. It was a very large portion of chicken, sliced in manageable proportions.

I suggest splitting entrees so you can try as many as you can.  Entrees run $15 and up.

I highly recommend this place. I WILL be coming back!