Decent Lebanese food right behind the USPTO building. Halal indication on menu. They also offer a small lunch buffet during the warm months. The food is nothing to drive for miles over, but its not a bad lunch option. Â Service could be better, but definitely not a fancy place.
They also serve hookah.
We stopped here for a dinner. Â We should have never stopped.
After waiting 'ten-fifteen' minutes outside, we were finally escorted to our table inside roughly an hour after arriving. Â (I cheated and got a cookie from Foster's next door to tide me over). Â The waitress was immediately condescending to me and suggested that I leave as I had too many questions about what the words meant for the food. Â This being my first time in a 'Lebanese' restaurant, I obviously had some questions. Â I finally decided and we all put our order in. Â Time stood still again for the next 40 minutes as we all waited for our meals to come. Â I'm guessing at some point in those 40 minutes they were ready as by the time they made it to our table, they were cold, tasteless, flavorless, and honestly, just terrible. Â On top of that, our drinks were empty, and refills were never offered. Â Our waitress disappeared after she placed the meals on the table and we finally just left cash on the table after the manager was not only unable to track her down, but unwillingly to print out the bill and hand it to us.
Never again.
I really want to give this place a 4 or even 4.5 star... But the service leaves a to be desired... I digress.......
So, it's really hard to find a good hookah bar that has PARKING and isn't in the middle of the city. Â This place is the perfect spot for a first date or a night out with your best pals. The decor is modern, and they have comfy couches you can chill on if you have a big group (They're kinda funny about giving you a couch if it's not more than 4 people). Â The owner is pretty cool if you know him... and the staff is decent.
This place has amazing hookah. Â They have flavors that you don't normally come across in this area. Â My favorite is Blue Mist. Â Not to mention they give you an unlimited amount of coal. Â Most places you either have to buy a WHOLE new hookah, or you have to pay for each one. Â They also come by and clean your hookah out for you so you don't cough from the ash that develops after smoking a while.
The Food is pretty good... I love the beef and chicken hummus. Â It's very smooth and has a great flavor. it's served with a warm flat bread. Â My fiance' usually gets this chicken and beef dish (I can't remember the name) and he loves it. Â They also have amazing lava cake (make sure you order it when you order your food, it takes 15 minutes to cook) it's served with ice cream and it's delish!
Now that you've gotten the good... here's the bad and the ugly...
Some nights the staff is SLOOOOOOOOOOW... I mean you could be there for and 1.5 hrs before you get your food. The staff can be a little rude... More so if your not a regular... Â I've had instances where I was completely ignored when I first started coming here... but I liked the hookah, and the owner personally came over to me and apologized, and I now get first class treatment, but it shouldn't have to take that... Everyone should be treated with respect... no matter if it's your first time or 100th time...
One weekends and Friday nights it's a minimum of $25 PER PERSON. Â They also charge you for the hose that you use for the hookah no matter what day it is. It's $3 in addition to the cost of the hookah. Which isn't all bad because it more sanitary then using a reusable one that who knows how many people have used...
My final thoughts... Go here for hookah and desert after you go to diner somewhere else... There's a sushi bar and burger joint in the same shopping center as this restaurant...
We stopped here for lunch out of convenience, as I'm guessing many people do. They had a lunch buffet that we passed on since we just wanted a quick light lunch, but in retrospect, the buffet might have been the way to go. We waited almost 10 or 15 minutes just for our menus, and then just as long for ordering, our food, and the bill. We never even got a refill on our drinks. The manager (or owner?) actually had to come ask us if we were ready for the bill since the waitress disappeared.
The food was alright and a decent price, but I'm guessing there is better around. Next time I will make sure I find out where this is!
I love Alexandria. Its so quiet, quaint, historical, and beautiful. There's just one problem- there's barely anything to eat past 10pm. Except Zikrayet.
The food was mediocre. The hummus was smooth but the bread was nothing special. The rice was decent but the beef shawarma it came with was just... ok.
Maybe they have awesome Hookah... but next time I need to satisfy some grumbling tummies- I'm driving to Annandale.
The place is nice and has a good atmosphere. Â They do allow hookah smoking inside and people smoke everything out on the patio. Â We sat outside at first, but it got cold so they allowed us to move inside. Â It was their happy hour, so a few of the appetizers we got for the mezza were 50% off. Â The menu was confusing when it came to the mezza and the waitress was new and didn't know enough to help us, so she got a senior waiter to help. Â The mezza section had all the side items you could get, but it also had a listing for a mezza sampler and then another for a mezza combination for 2 or 4 people. Â We decided to get the sampler and then ordered an entree each. Â It took a lot of questioning and confusion resolution to get our orders straight, because of the wording on the menu and the way it's laid out (for mezza).
I got the Shish Taouk (chicken with grilled veggies, rice, garlic paste) and my friend got the Lamb Kabob (lamb with grilled veggies, rice, hummus). Â The mezza sampler arrived first and had two of every item each in its own section of one big dish. Â These were basically bit-sized and fine as an appetizer. Â The Baba Ghanouge was my least favorite, but I don't usually like it unless it's really done well. Â The food was a little bland compared to some authentic places that I have been to. Â The chicken was a little dry, the garlic paste had very little garlic taste, and the rice had a very light flavor.
It wasn't the worse place to eat, but I have seen better for the prices they charge. Â Ventilation seemed adequate, but you could still smell some of the hookah smoke, which has a fruity scent and not too offensive. Â The manager did come out to ask us if everything was good.
If you want to hang out and have drinks and hookah in a nice place, then this is great. Â As far as dining, there are better places. Â I can't name any from this area yet since I'm new, but will find them.
I went for lunch, service was ok, only one server for the whole place. The decoration of the place is very weird with mirrors that appear to be falling and it's a huge one room filled with tables, not very inviting. The food was barely edible, things that were supposed to be warm were really cold, presentation of dishes seemed very amateur. Overpriced for the location.
Review Source:We went there four times and every time we go the food quality and the service are in decline but the prices still high.
We had to keep waiving to waitresses like we were waiving to a taxi in the rain and they either didn't see us or too busy to respond.
After we finished eating, our table was full of dirty napkins, empty plates and glasses but no one cared to clean it up.
The size of the serving is too little for what they charge.
I have been coming to this restaurant since they had their old location few blocks away. The service & decor was much better then than it is now, but I still stayed as a regular customer until few incidents happened. Service kept going down the drain, I noticed they started treating their Lebanese customers more attentively & didn't care much about the others. First I didn't mind it, but it became obvious overtime . Especially one night after we sat in our seats for hours drinking & smoking our hookah, we were told the seat was reserved & we have to find ourselves another seat among the large crowd that has arrived after us. The server didn't tell us that the seat was reserved when she sat us down first, there was no sign that said table reserved after 11pm, nothing & the seats they pointed us to move was right by the band which we didn't want to. As my friends & I were discussing whether to move or not,the server brought the check & dropped it on our table. Now that was a blow & showed us that they really didn't care about us. Basically they are saying "pay your money & go" & that's exactly what we did! No need to argue with the management, it's obvious they are selective with their customers! I will say this, that's why I love Babylon Futbol Cafe 10 minutes from Zikrayet. They have great food, hookah, music & most of all the best customer service!!!! Go to Babylon instead where you are treated with respect & love!!! I made the mistake of giving them the benefit of the doubt and kept going to Zikrayet but they did it for me! I am sticking to my Babylon!!!
Review Source:The worst smokey Lebanese restaurant ever! The most terrible NEW YEAR'S EVE event!!!! The music/ singer sucked, the service was awful, you didn't know who your server was, and you had to call them several times to get some water. Â They were so very ridiculously unorganized. Â Some tables were finished eating the main course, our table; some got food, and some didn't till we finished, cold and old rice, some table got cakes and we didn't! By the midnight, no one was counting down; all of the sudden 2 min's after the midnight everyone screaming and started hugging and kissing! Â
I wasted my time, energy and money, I wish I would have stayed home and watched the ball dropping in NYC!
The management should work with their staff and get them together before it's too late and they shut down the place. Â I recommend, Zikrayat should contact Robert to get help "The Restaurant Impossible" show.
I had my birthday here on a Saturday. Although, I made my reservation days before for a group of 10, they gave me a phone call at 5pm on the day of my reservation to tell me they could not give me what I requested. To say the least I went bizerk on them! In the end the owner's wife intervened and it was all settled. We got the same location I requested but no sofa just little ottomans to sit on (they were not comfortable) In addition, once we started our night the service got a bit spotty we had to ask 13 times (not exaggerating!) for my friend's drink and order our meals twice because the first time they forgot to put in the order. In the end I still had a good time. It was probably because it was my birthday and I wanted to have good time :)  I have observed the regulars or those the assumed relatives or  friends of the owner are very well served here. I understand this because I understand the culture. Honestly, I wish I could be included in the circle, but I just do not  frequent one place that much. This location is bigger than their old one so I think they need some time to add enough furniture to accommodate all their customers and maybe add more wait staff to prevent delays on the weekends. Overall, regardless of shortcomings our waitress was genuinely nice to us, took care of us much better towards the end of the night when the crowd got a bit lighter.
For the food I give four stars, their Chicken dishes are great. Drinks are good too I recommend Arabesque for those who like a stronger cocktail. They don't cheat on the alcohol that is a good thing! The hookah are also well done! You can smoke it for hours and their hookahs I assume cleaned well because they do not burn your throat even after couple hours. Belly dancer's performance was likable, she stayed on the stage for at least 30 minutes. The singer was very good he provided good entertainment for all. This place will give you a taste of authentic Arab nightlife so it would be a great for those who would like to experience something new if they never been to ME. I overall recommend this place and open to try them again and reconsider my rating after my next visit.
Let me start by saying that I am middle eastern so I know middle eastern food. The food here is not bad but it isn't worth what they charge for it by any stretch. The atmosphere is awesome and there is plenty of eye candy there every time I go. The Achilles heel of this place is the service. Every time I go I'm never arriving later than 10 and I have never left before 2am. Paying these guys is a 20-30 min exercise in middle school arithmetic. The excuse is ALWAYS "oh sorry man it's really busy!" If you are busy and every dish is ridiculously expensive ($75 for mixed grill and a couple of beers, tip included) you can afford to hire another server or two. If it wasn't for the atmosphere that gives me a taste of home I wouldn't give this place the time of day.
PS-The bartender there the last time I visited was remedial. I ordered a captain and coke and got the captain without the coke. Ordered a three wise men (jack,jim, jose...usually served separately) and got it all in one shot glass. Needless to say I was having a rough day so I didn't fret too much, but when I called the waiter out on it, he just pretty much said that's the way it is, deal with it. DID I MENTION HOW GARBAGE THE SERVICE IS????????
First time there was a friends birthday dinner that was being held at night. Enjoyed time with her but My experience was not all that great. Food wasnt that bad, but too expensive along with hookah. Couch seatings are nice, but once it gets crowded at night, tables and chairs are too close, its uncomfortable. Music and dancing was decent, Service could of done a lot better, need training to smile and be courteous a bit more. noticed they don't treat everyone equally..
Review Source:I went there couple of days ago for the first time, I really liked this place. Starting with the decor which was simple but elegant, the bar looks really nice and the seats are very comfortable.
I really liked everything there, service was good, hookah was good. As a long time hookah smoker I really didn't complain about the hookah there, which is surprising. Â I went on a weekday and the music was very calm (a little loud at times bn songs), i heard it gets loud on the weekend.
Only complain I have is its a little to bright in there.
I love this place! Â Their sheesha is quality, and the hookahs are always kept extremely clean, unlike other hookah joints around the city... Â The covered outdoor seating is a great addition if you're ears can't take the "clubby" vibe and loud music, but you can always catch a glimpse of all the dancing and singing going on inside. Â I really can't say this is a bad thing because they offer two great atmospheres under one roof... Â Great ambience, great food, and always a great time!
Review Source:Do not go there if you wanna talk to your friends or even answer your phone! its impossible how loud the place is. you'd leave with a headache. Lately they have this policy of $25/person cover charge, so last time I've been there with friends we paid an extra $60 for things we didn't order just because of this policy which they totally didn't tell us about (or even had a sign) till the last minute at the check out.
The over all service is bad, the parking is not easy and the food quality is average.
I really, really enjoyed my visit to this spot. Random Tuesday night hang out - martinis and hookah and some pretty stellar Lebanese karaoke. I highly recommend it. Â
An old friend and I walked here for a little drink and some gossip time and this spot was the perfect location. The space is very open, yet intimate at the same time. Couches were set up in clusters, perfect for conversation.
The service was really good. My only complaint is that we didn't receive much attention until we decided to get hookah. Then the service was outstanding; attendants coming around regularly to make sure we were getting the most out of our experience.
I am interested in coming back again and sampling a new flavor tobacco and perhaps a bite to eat.
To be brief:
Service: 1/5
Decor: 3/5
Food: 2/5
      Walking into the establishment, we were abruptly greeted by the murmuring chatter of employees holding an impromptu meeting at the first table next to the entrance, though the place was virtually empty....
      Secondly, a minimum of 10 minutes passed before being greeted by a server who took it upon himself to up-sell every item possible though we both wanted something lite at the time. We waited a couple of minutes for our drinks to arrive, my coke was throughly flat and after alerting the server who brought me a water but forgot to take the flat coke away from the table, something small but definitely something that could have been done.
Â
      After these (service-related) problems, we finally got our food about 15 minutes later and, for $8.00 on one side we got 4 very small fried savory empanadas (the name escapes me now) without any dipping sauce though it would have been appropriate and the plate's "garnish" was laughably a handful of old romaine that looked like it was removed from a Wendy's burger - I almost expected to see a bit of melted cheese on the ends of some...
     For my part, I paid $9.00 for a "kabob wrap" that quite literally was the thinnest wrap i've ever seen. It contained 4-6 small pieces of moderately well-seasoned meat topped with the same wilted romaine, two tomato slices, and a thin layer of hummus. The truly funny part was that the "pita" wrap was essentially a store-bought tortilla shell...
      Overall not an impressive display of Lebanese cuisine and have no intention of returning to the establishment unless things turn around greatly.
This restaurant was reopened from a block away from its old location. Â The room you entered is a large room filled with tables and lounge chairs. Â This room is mainly used for hookah smoking. Â We did not want to sit in this room so they led us to smaller room with a glass wall barrier between the main room and this "non-smoking" room. Â Everytime they opened the glass door to enter the room we were in, we can smell some of the hookah smoke. Â Pita bread was served cold in a wrapped package. I don't think it was freshly made. Â I asked if they had a whole wheat version which I've found in other local Lebanese restaurants, the server replied she did not know what "whole wheat" was. Â So, we asked if they had other types of pita bread. Â The waitress replied "no". Â The lentil soup arrived and then a quick few minutes later our entrees arrived. Â I had the Shish Taouk (grilled boneless chicken) and my husband had the Lamb Kabob. Â Food was great but I felt it was expensive for what you get. Â We probably won't return.
Review Source:It was early evening on a hot and steamy Friday night. Â So rather than sweating away in a hot kitchen, Carol W and I decided to check out the reincarnated Zikrayet. I liked Zikrayet, but then it closed. Â Several months ago, a sign appeared a few blocks away from its original location announcing Zikrayet was reopening soon. Â Now, it's back and once again offering Lebanese cuisine and hookah in a new, bigger, bolder setting.
The inside of the new Zikrayet is dominated by leather bound couches spread about the cavernous space attempting to go for more of a lounge feel. As you step in the doors, you are met with the noticeable, but not overwhelming smell of hookah smoking in progress. Â I imagine it could get overwhelming or off-putting if it was a full house of hookah smokers. Â There is a decent-sized bar (although it looks small given the large dimensions of the restaurant) at the back of the rectangular-shaped room. We were seated at high-top table near the bar. Â There's also a small non-smoking dining room separated by a sliding glass door off to the side of the main dining room/lounge. Â Tables are also available outside for al fresco dining.
For starters, we had an order of Fried Kibbeh, a deep fried bulb of burghul wheat stuffed with ground beef, onions, pine nuts and spices; and an order of Baba Ghanoush, a dip made from pureed eggplant, tahini sauce, and lemon juice topped with olive oil.  It was accompanied by pita bread.  The fried kibbeh was nicely fried, flavorful, but seemed to be lacking onion aromatics and pine nuts.  In the end, it wasn't as good as other versions I've had.  The baba ghanoush on the other hand possessed the expected smokiness from the eggplant, which (hopefully) was grilled over a wood fire.  It was a quite nice.  However, the baba ghanoush was let down by the lackluster pita, which seemed to me to have been made (or purchased) in advance, sliced, packaged into serving size bags and frozen, only to be thawed and served.  The bread was dry, flavorless, and lifeless.  It would've been so much nicer is their pita bread was made fresh daily, if possible!  Our entrée, the Lamb Kabob was marinated and grilled to a medium/medium-well.  I would've preferred medium rare, but the meat was very tender, nicely seasoned, and satisfying.  It was served with a side of grilled vegetables and basmati rice.
I love Lebanese food. Â Zikrayet is, hopefully, still growing into its new space. Â All in all, Zikrayet did enough right in my book to earn my future business...just fix the pita bread!
I really loved this place! I went to the new location on Eisenhower for a quick take-out and wished I'd had time to stay and have a proper meal. They were very accommodating and kind about my needing to do take-out. The Shish Taouk, and it was phenomenal. There was one really rude guy at the front who was giving the hostess pointers on how falafel ought to be--which he obviously had no idea about to begin with. Definitely give this place a try. I'll be back with friends!
Review Source:So, they recently moved to this location from a block away. Â Went there for lunch buffet.
It was $12+ for the buffet for a choice of about 8 things. Â I will probably not go there again, at least not for that price. Â The rice and meat (sorry, don't know what kind..maybe lamb?) dish was good. Â If I get to choose how much I pay for that..it'd probably be $7 or $8, which is reasonable for lunch in this area. Â I didn't even get a drink..so $12 is a bit much.
I guess it's not really the place to be for lunch. I don't know what the nightlife is like there, but I probably will never know bc I find no interest in that kind of stuff.
I'm sorry for the first review to be so low, but it was just not anywhere close to worth it. Â Someone else can rate the nightlife if they are so inclined.
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