Vanilla Lounge

an upper scale (based on prices, accouterments, and menu options) hookah lounge in the the Dearborn area.  setting itself apart from the myriad other locations with a clean uncluttered execution, a few gimmicks (medusa hookahs, people buy them, whatever), and good ambiance (more on that later).  it's hamstrung by a few major flaws.

hookah.  if you go basic, is good.  they use a vacuum device to fire up the hookahs so they are billowing as soon as they hit your table.  they have lots of flavors.  they charge a slight premium compared to other joints in the area but it keeps the place classy.  i haven't tried any of the gimmicks, never do, don't know what they all are.  they have lights you can put in or under the hookah, they have different stands (some are huge vases and some are metalwork).  these gimmicks only bring in revenue, they don't change the smoking experience too much.  i don't buy into them but the target audience does, so whatever.  the coal people are always making their rounds, however when it gets busy you have to call them over, otherwise they are good and courteous.

food.  excellent xushi ko fare (halaal sushi and hibachi).  i'm a fan, others are not.  doesn't take too long (not loner than it does if you're actually over there eating).  their menu frequently has items that are unavailable.  they charge for water (lame).

service.  they maintain attractive waitresses who are courteous and professional, and also make it a personal experience frequently.  the rest of the staff are similarly helpful and courteous.  the owners are frequently around (they own the xushi ko around the corner).

policies.  major problems: cover charges, charging for water, charing for sitting in booths.  i understand why they do this but their execution could be executed a bit better.

ambience.  really like it MOST of the time.  especially when the music fits the decor.  they have a pure white thing going on with sheer curtains and leather couches everywhere.  very contemporary look with an exposed brick (metallic veneer) accent wall and an  (unused) stage.  heavy ambient lighting that cycles through colors smoothly and infrequently (so as not to give anyone a seizure).  very nice.  and when they play chillout loung music or trance.  it's perfect.  unfortunately the place feels compelled to play thug music a lot just feels out of place.

crowd.  this is not counted against the establishment as its outside their control.  crowd is young thugs.  riced out cars out front.  pretty much a fixture of ANY hookah place i've been to except for a select few.  however they are calm and well behaved.  no obnoxiousness.

suggestions: they should do themed nights.  promos.  aggressive marketing.

this place has a lot of potential and i'm afraid that their success has made them complacent.  i'm a regular there and like the place and know the people.  to be a five they should have less stringent options and be slightly cheaper.

Please, don't be fooled by all the pretty lights and fancy hookahs. The atmosphere is "alright" but the service is absolutely horrible! we asked for new coals and the guy told us that the ones we had still had 20 minutes left on them... I had no idea you could time how long a coal has left.. either way he was completely wrong! they were dead as could be, I was so annoyed! plus they are so expensive, I'm not the cheapest person in the world but I couldn't believe they were charging $30-$50 just for a fancy bowl!! and on top of that their menu was sushi only, I thought that was pretty ridiculous... I've gone to other places that are much more affordable with a much more attentive wait staff with in walking distance of this place. I won't be going back!

I wanted to try the hookah for the first time, so since I live 2 minutes from here, off we were. We went on a Saturday night around 8:45 and it wasn't really crowded, but it's a small place.

It's $14 to sit in a booth, and not wanting to embarrass myself smoking for the first time, we got a booth. We ordered the $35 hookah with safari melon flavor, and it was an extra $9 for a second hose. I'd recommend getting at least two hoses. It was sweet and smooth, but take that with a grain of salt since it was my first time.

The servers were nice, but the kitchen closed around 10, which I think is too early since they don't close until 3am. It started getting crowded around 10 and we left around 10:30. The music was okay, it sounded like a mix of Arabic, reggaeton, and hip-hop.

It wasn't bad at all. I'd probably go back.