I don't know which was better, the food or the service!! The food was excellent and flavorful and Simply fresh tasting. The service made me feel as if I made a friend, Nick is the best. The marinated meat, chicken and beef are freaking unreal and to die for. The fresh teas were also delicious. Ask for Nick, he was fabulous!! read more

I have been meaning to visit Al Bahaar for the longest time and finally hubby and I decided to try them out and it was a 10 stars experience! We got the seafood tower for 2 and it come with 2 dips and bread and everything was Devine!!!! An absolute mouth heaven for seafood lovers. The top tier was fried calamari, lobster tail split in 2 and 2 giant shrimp with this spicy tomato dipping sauce. The bottom tier was a bed of delicious spicy yellow rice with 3 different kinds of fish, shrimp and mussels. Every single thing I put into my mouth was excellent!!! Our server Ferris (sorry if I spelled your name wrong) was absolutely amazing. Funny, knowledgeable, he explained everything that we were eating and telling us about the buffet that they offered. He was tentative and nice. The decor was sooooo beautiful and romantic as well. We sat on these super comfy round cushion chairs over these beautiful round lights and it was dim enough to feel a wonderful atmosphere and romantic but bright enough to see our food. The entire experience was wonderful and if I could give them more than 5 stars, I would. I will recommend this place to anyone who loves Mediterranean food or seafood and I will 1000% be back. This is my new favorite place!! Thank you for a great date night experience for hubby and I! read more

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It was Mother's Day weekend so I will offer some slack. I will start with saying that they need to have a pleasant well organized hostess at the door. I think the owner may have been at the door that day and seemed a bit frazzled (understandable). Also, a sign that says please wait here to be seated. When we arrived we didn't know where to stand so we went to the other side of the front desk and were somewhat scolded and redirected to go back around and wait. It was pointed out there was another family waiting to be seated. Hmm. But it was a busy day so we let that go. Fortunately we didn't wait long to be seated. The waiter, although not to experienced, was trying hard and answered all our questions. When we placed our order we were informed several items were not available. Hmmm. It was still early in the day, how do you not have the items. We ordered humus. DELICIOUS!!! Spanish Octopus with white rice, combination plate with lamb, steak and chicken plus the white rice, and finally lamb chops with white rice. Problem the octopus was served first it had superb flavor and not rubbery at all. That was my son's meal. Then about 5 mins later came my meal, the combination which was deliciously seasoned and the chicken was moist!! Finally 5-10 mins later the waiter came and told my daughter that the kitchen failed to tell him there were no lamb chops. So disappointed. They apologize and she ordered the combination plate which came about 10 minutes later. Needless to say my son and I were done with our meal. Problem: initially when we got the hummus we ate it but had to drink water because our drinks didn't come till I got my meal. I reminded the waiter and he explained they had to make the drinks. habiscus water and a mint lemonade. Hmmm Problem: when my son got his octopus, he didn't get a knife and I had to give him my steak knife so he could cut his octopus legs. Finally when we got the bill, we were being charged for the lamb chops!!! Needless to say Al Bahar was recommended by Albawadi Grill waitress. And yes the food is terrific! Even the white rice makes my mouth water. But the service and consistency needs much improvement. Although the waiter apologized, at no time were we offered some type of compensation for all the inconveniences experienced. Not that it's required nor do I expect it but it would've been a nice gesture. The table next to us complained loudly and they were offered free food. We complained subtly and no type of courtesy was extended. Do I recommend. Yes for pick up order the food is scrumptious and No I do not recommend dine in experience. They have much to improve! Goto Al Bawadi instead!! Their food is delicious, the service is very friendly and the humus and fresh made pita unbelievably delicious! read more

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The fish was great but I only had one piece at the end of dinner because no one told us that there were multiple buffet lines, so we ended up eating out film at only one (the worst one with no fish). Because of this, we ended up paying a lot for a buffet that was comparable to a much cheaper restaurant. I do recommend this place but just know that each buffet line around the res is different and because of the restaurants layout you have to walk around to see where each buffet line is. It's not cheap but it's worth it if you get some fish. The drinks are also very good. Service was good too. read more

The first thing is how pretty it is inside. It is kind of a windy walk where I was seated. However, it gives the feeling of exclusivity. The server was Rose. Rose was knowledgeable and kind. The food was and the beverage was fantastic. I had the hibiscus tea. It was a beautiful color with a refreshing taste. The seafood tower was delicious. It was a whole lot of food. It says it feeds 2-3 people. My guess it could feed 5 people. They do not serve alcohol of any kind. This is a spot to return to. Oh and the cost is about $150 for two people. read more

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Great food and good spot for a group meal! We had a group of 6 and ordered the kebab platter and the seafood tower and it was more than enough food! We all took leftovers home! The kebabs were good but I really enjoyed the variety of grilled fish on the seafood tower. It all came with several dips, rice, and pita. Also loved the lemon mint drink- super refreshing! The service was good and the atmosphere was cozy. Will definitely return to try more! read more

Al Bahaar - Lemon mint drink (L) & Strawberry Banana smoothie (R) - Mediterranean Near Me - Orland Park, Illinois

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This place is in the vicinity of the Orland Square Mall, and parking is ample. Came here to celebrate an early birthday. The staff is more than personable and welcoming--they are truly top-notch! And the host is dressed in traditional garb. The ambiance is rich and vibrant yet incredibly warm and inviting. We had two waiters, and I am sorry, I don't remember their names, but they were the best! They were more than personable and attentive; they had such humility and grace about themselves. Since it was our first time here, they recommended their most popular dishes, including their favorite dishes. For starters, we had Dynamite shrimp and marinated wings. They also give pita bread with hummus and another type of dip, the name of which I don't remember. My son and I shared the seafood tower, and hubby ordered the filet mignon platter. We also ordered a pot of their black tea, which was amazing. For dessert, we ordered their kenafa. We ordered a lot of food, and the portions were huge. But everything was delicious! On our way out, we may have been speaking to the owner. We didn't exchange names because after exchanging "thank you for coming in" and "we will be back again," we engaged in conversation, and he apologized for the noise level. We did not notice any noise because we kept admiring the decor, which he was happy to hear. Then he proceeded to show us why there may have been some noise. He was decorating the other side of the restaurant and asked us what we thought about his decorating skills. He was putting up flowers, and since hubby has a green thumb, he loved what he did. He even gave us a little history of the restaurant, which I loved and appreciated! From the history lesson, everything is imported from Dubai. This is definitely a great place to bring the family or have lunch or dinner after shopping in the mall. read more

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I recently had the opportunity to dine at Al Bahaar and from the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming, cozy, a little too dark for the mediterranean feel they were trying to capture. However, the staff was attentive and friendly which made a strong impression on me since I decided to dine alone this particular day. I ordered the MORROCCAN SEAFOOD TAJIN found the dish to be flavorful, perfectly cooked, could have used a bit more shrimp. The presentation was, elegant and the portion sizes were generous. I felt that the prices were reasonable, the quality of the food was excellent and overall, the experience met my expectations. read more

Al Bahaar - MORROCCAN SEAFOOD TAJIN - Mediterranean Near Me - Orland Park, Illinois

Al Bahaar, and it's sister restaurant Al Bawadi Grill in Bridgeview, IL, offer above average Mediterranean food, excellent service served in a beautifully decorated atmosphere. Al Bahaar focuses more on seafood than meats, but most of the traditional favorites are also available here. We recently visited for dinner on a Saturday evening, and were greeted warmly when we walked through the door, and were seated promptly in their gorgeous dining room. They really didn't spare any expenses on the interior decor, and you really don't feel like your n Orland Park in January once you're inside. Our server's name was "Smiley", and the service from him, and everyone else, was also absolutely fantastic. If you typically don't patronize Mediterranean or Palestinian restaurants, and maybe you're unsure about what to expect, please start at Al Bahaar (or the previously mentioned, Al Bawadi Grill). The staff is very well versed in the menu, and everyone we've dealt with has been extremely welcoming and as excited about your visit as you. 95% of the food we ate was delicious. I've attached some pictures. My oldest daughter ordered the fried calamari dinner, and it was good, but we're Sicilian and we've definitely had better. We had a parsley based dip with our pita bread, and we didn't care much for that, but all the rest of it was really good. The humus was creamy. The Baba Ghanoush is typically my jam, and their's was very good. Aside from the mussels on the Grilled Seafood Tower, it was all incredible. The mussels themselves were fresh, we just didn't care for the presentation (topped with fruit), but the Basa filet, the shrimp and lobster were all flavorful and cooked perfectly. We had no room for dessert, which sucks because they are now serving Kenafa, which I've had at Al Bawadi... it's amazing, so now I've got a reason to come back to Al Bahaar. Overall, a great dinner.. a little pricy, but very good! read more

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I have to say that this is one of the nicest halal restaurants I have walked into in the Chicagoland area. The entrance is beautiful, the decor is on theme with fish scales everywhere, but also beautiful lighting that makes you feel you are about to eat off the coast of Morocco or Egypt. The decor is bright, floral but not cheesy. They have plenty of cozy booth seating but large tables that are set up for families of 10 or more. We ordered the dynamite shrimp as an appetizer with lentil soup, the Al Bahaar Fried Seafood platter, fish sayadieh grilled, and the signature kebab plate. The seafood platter had combination of scallops, fried fish, shrimp and calamari. It was great! The signature platter with kababs was one of the best steak and koubideh skewers I've had in the area. The sayadieh dish was drenched in a red sauce so I would try that grilled next time, I couldn't taste the fish. The portions were very generous and plenty of food for our table of six. We had two servers who took great care of us. We ended our meal with a small kenafa and black mint tea. The bill came out to be 50 per person with tip. read more

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Can't beat this location. Great food, service and coffee! Need a break in your day? Here is where you can find it.

In town for work and was craving kabobs so yelped it as usual. Randomly came across this wonderful place and so glad I did. Wasnt too familiar with the neighborhood so naturally didn't have much of an expectation but wow prob one of the best kabobs I've had. Was torn between lamb chops and the mixed grill platter. The kind waiter was so thoughtful and recommended the mixed platter with a piece of lamb chops to taste. The kabobs back home often were more in the dry side so expected something similar but to my surprise the kabobs were all perfectly cooked to perfection and maintaining its juiciness and tender chew. The mixed grill came with kufta kebab, shish kebab, and shish tawook. On the side were onions, and two types of rice (yellow and red rice-liked the yellow rice better), and a separate large hummus plate. I believe it was two different types of hummus. In one side was the chick pea and believe garlic and the other side was with chopped tomato. Of note, the waiter told me the restaurant owner also has a farm with live stock where they get their meats directly so naturally fresh. Maybe this was the secret behind their especially tasteful dishes. Also ordered apple tea which was sooooo good. Apparently they import the tea from turkey. Was planning to order pistachio cake but honestly was so stuffed couldn't take another bite. read more

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We came with family and friends after confirming they had food for kids. Unfortunately, almost all the buffet food was very spicy, and there were no kid-friendly options. Our kids couldn't eat, and we had to buy food from another restaurant. Food quality and quantity were poor. When we asked for the manager, we were told he had already left. Very disappointing and unprofessional. Not recommended. read more

Excellent place for family. We came here for my niece's birthday. There were about 18 of us, including some young children. We had an amazing time. We were seated and waited for the rest of our party. They were late but Jaser is just about the coolest guy you're ever going to meet. There was an unspoked understanding that our reserved tables had some kind of time limit but instead of being upset Jaser keep checking in on us and being pleasant. When everyone finally got there, the food service was instantaneous. They took the orders, brought out our water and drinks while we waited. When the food came it was like a buffet because we had so many different dishes. Between all of us, we order Dynamite Shrimp, mozzarella sticks, avocado salad, Greek salad, Lamb Chops, the al-bahaar mixed grill, red snapper, table side tomahawk steak, Sautéed broccoli, Filet Mignon, macaroni and cheese, and all kinds of teas, fresh orange juice, and a smoothie. I'm not even sure if that was all of the food but that's most of it. Also, Jaser and the crew went out of their way to make something for the children since they don't have an official "kid's meal". It was grilled chicken with rice, and they loved it. I know this was a long one, but I wanted to show my appreciation for a wonderful restaurant with top-notch staff, that deserves to be highlighted. The atmosphere was beautiful, the bathrooms were clean and well maintained, and there's plenty of parking. Definitely returning with my wife soon. Sorry about the photo quality, these were screenshots from videos read more

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5 stars: Restaurant decor was extremely well appointed. It was beautiful and quiet. 5 stars: Service was welcoming, quiet, and unassuming. Personable without intrusive behavior. 5 stars: Very clean everywhere you looked. Bathroom was spotless. Surfaces gleaming. 5 stars: Fish was perfectly cooked. On two visits, we had Pomfret, Halibut, Fish and Chips, and grilled Fish Sayadieh. Hummus, and Mothawma. The fries were exceptionally delicious and both versions of rice were really good. Tartar sauce was dilly and very good. The halibut sauce was especially good. Pita was hot, fresh from the oven and delicious. 5 stars: Seating arrangements are really comfortable. They have a well stocked buffet on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11-3 pm for $25. We will try it next time. They change their menu every few months according to the owner. We will be back after Lent to try the meat dishes. read more

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Beauuuuutiful restaurant, decorations were carefully thought thru!!! Wonderful family environment, no too noisy for a business meal, or nice for friends to gather. Great service as they don't take long to seat you or take your orders. Menu is extensive so it's hard for someone not to find something they like. Don't miss this experience! read more

I don't appreciate the server adding gratuity before giving me the card reader to sign like it was my total bill before gratuity. I tipped 20% gratuity w/o know he added it. So I tipped 40% of my bill. My friend caught him pressing buttons before she paid & saw he added gratuity to hers & he removed it. I don't mind tipping, but there's no sign & nothing on the menu stating auto gratuity. Food wasn't great. I don't mind patronizing a business again, but based off of business tipping practices, I doubt I'll be back. Ambience was nice. read more

We found Al Bahaar on Yelp while we were in the area. The reviews drew us in. We tried the Dynamite shrimp as an appetizer and the chicken kabobs and Fish and Chips for our entrees. The Fish and Chips stole the show hands down. Our first time trying Basa and would definitely order it again when we return. Our table was right beside the fireplace and was cozy and warm on this snowy day. read more

Al Bahaar - FISH & CHIPS - Mediterranean Near Me - Orland Park, Illinois

Yummy! Wow, this place has amazing food and service. I don't even know where to begin but their calamari was to die for, spicy shrimp on point and their spicy potatoes by far the best. read more

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An offshoot of the legendary Al Bahwadi tree, Al Bahaar moves some of the Al Bahwadi favorites upscale and add seafood. We went with sayadieh, eggplant & tomato dip, muthawama and fattoush. All were delicious. The sayadieh is a delicious seafood filet topped with a mildly spicy tomato based sauce. Fantastic! Mint lemonade quenched our thirst. The servings were generous and the service wonderful. How 'bout opening a new outpost In Schaumburg or Elgin? read more

My wife and I had dinner here on a weekday and there were practically no other customers here. We both thought that was a bit odd but it could have been due to the cold weather. The ambiance was nice. We were seated by the fireplace per our request to be moved away from the window where they had initially seated us. The waiter was very nice and did a great job. The food was decent but I wasn't blown away by it. The fries were really good. We got the meat mixed grill platter which was plenty for us. I would like to try their fish options next time but I will not be ordering the meat portions. Overall a decent experience. read more

Al Bahaar - FRIED CALAMARI - Mediterranean Near Me - Orland Park, Illinois

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Our experience was incredible! Everything is so clean and well decorated, and the seating was sooo comfortable. The service was amazing, the manager was so friendly, he came up to our table and told us he wanted us to have the best experience, and the waiter was also very attentive and polite. The food was absolutely fantastic; the flavor was unmatched! Worth every penny! Can't wait to bring our friends here next time! read more

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My friend took me out to dinner here for my birthday and we had a great time. The staff are very welcoming, friendly, and attentive. Our waitress helped us pick some of the best dishes on the menus. The decor of the restaurant is very culturally relevant and the tables are comfortable. I appreciated that the staff brought out my birthday dessert with a sparkler in it and sang me a happy song. I would come here again for sure and my friend said she plans to come back with her husband. read more

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Great food and hospitality and unique ambience No alcohol served and music to loud for us seniors read more

They ripped me off with the food, $20 for Chicken Koobideh, the price would have been fine, if they gave me 2 skewers, but only gave me one i didn't notice, until i realized why $20 for 1 skewers and some cheap rice, so yea they suck, never again. read more

No Doubt Mediterranean: Outstanding Food & Service Khalil Ismail, founder & owner of Al-Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Square, accurately self-describes his newest restaurant as follows: "Discover the best of Mediterranean cuisine with our fresh seafood and flavorful kebabs. [W]e combine vibrant spices and the freshest ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience. Join us and savor the rich tastes of the Mediterranean in a warm and welcoming atmosphere." My wife discovered this place looking to take me somewhere we'd never been before for Father's Day. Our friends Sonia & Samir Khalil and Hanya Aboukie Elkhatib HIGHLY recommended this establishment when asked whether we would enjoy dining here. Off we went. GREAT DECISION! We were greeted by the owner's son and another older gentleman who also appeared to be family, and were immediately seated. The menu was eclectic and no doubt Mediterranean with a few twist. EVERYTHING WAS OUTSTANDING! I started with the GARLIC OYSTERS as my appetizer incorrectly listed as a cold appetizer but properly served baked then broiled. Plump and succulent oysters bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. My wife and daughter shared (and I tasted) the MUHAMMARA a delectable dip made from roasted red peppers, walnuts, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and spices. For entrees our friends uniformly highly recommended the FISH SAYADIEH which comes fried or grilled. This is a whole deboned and halved basa fish. Light, flaky and fried in a perfect tempura batter served atop a bed of fragrant rice cooked with spices, nuts, and caramelized onions. The desserts and coffees are varied and delicious--I suggest the pistachio cake and vanilla cafe latte. read more

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Shareable portions! Fresh seafood! Luxurious ambiance! Refreshing drinks! Cant wait to come back for patio seating! read more

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Delicious food, attentive service, wonderful decor. If you've wanted to find Knafeh, this is a great place to do it! Portion sizes are generous and the tea is divine. I can't remember the name, but on the warm appetizer list there is pita with chicken and cheese, it is mouthwateringly good you must try it. read more

Ma Shaa Allah (All Glory to God! Absolutely delicious seafood. Top notice catches. I have been around the world tasting seafood from every corner I can get. THIS PLACE IS MY FAVORITE! Jasser the server was very informative and quick and kind. I'm not from Chicago but I will be coming back just for this restaurant ! We had the seafood tower and all I can say is if you're reading this ...STOP get in your car and GOOOOOOOOOO. read more

Great food, great service, and extremely nice staff. If you go once you'll go again. From start to finish, everything went very well. I would recommend Al Bahaar to anyone. read more

Inside is beautiful decorated. We walked in on a Sunday afternoon and the place was pretty empty. We visit Al Bawadi quite often and honestly it's still my favorite. Usually we're greeted always with coffee and given complimentary mezze but it wasn't as welcoming here. It was okay as my meal was similar to what I get at Al bawadi but I would still prefer Al bawadi. read more

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Me and my husband had seen a TikTok that made us travel over a hour to try this place and we weren't disappointed we had the buffet and it was amazing everything was fresh and so yummy Jessi brought us out some fresh bread to enjoy with the buffet I don't think I have ever had such great service everyone was so nice and really made us feel special especially Jessi I hope I'm spelling his name right but we will be back cause the service , food and decor was top notch it really is a beautiful decorated place I can't wait to come back again I wish I took more pictures I will next time ! read more

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Came here for the first time and absolutely loved everything. The only reason I gave 4 out of 5 stars was because we got potatoes and they were cold and not cooked/warmed up all the way! I got chicken/lamb/filet kabobs so good. My favorite was definitely the baba ganoush! My husband got the sea bass and loved it! Definitely big portions! read more

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We got the mixed grill and the grilled seafood mix. They came with Hummus, Bagdunsiya and naan. The dips were amazing. They use very good olive oil in the hummus. The lamb in the mixed grill was very tender and delicious. The grilled seafood mix was good, not great. But, the service was so good, it pushed me from a 4 to a 5. read more

Food was great and the buffet is really good and they give you some back history on their culture.

I'm writing this as I'm still sitting in the restaurant and already planning my next trip. Everything was delicious, fresh, and super affordable. Seafood. Tower. The end. read more

al-Bahaar is a seafood restaurant conveniently located in the vicinity of Orland Square Mall. There is ample parking. The interior is very spacious and beautifully decorated. It's a nice experience eating here. Service was friendly and pricing was reasonable for a seafood restaurant, though not cheap. The menu had a decent selection of seafood items, but also plenty of non-seafood Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and muhammara. We ordered a grilled seafood platter (which came with a nice yogurt dip and fresh pita bread), and a mashkan roll appetizer. The seafood platter had a nice mix of items. It had two types of grilled fish, some shrimp, one jumbo shrimp, a couple of mussels, and fried calamari. This was all served atop a bed of rice. Melted butter and marinara sauce were included, but I really wish there was tartar sauce. Everything was tasty (including the yogurt dip), but the shrimp was tough, so I think it was slightly overcooked. The mashkan rolls were like spring rolls with chicken and sumac inside. These were just okay. There was some tartness along with the savory flavors, but my wife didn't feel like the chicken had a fresh flavor. I think these rolls would have been better with some sort of dip, maybe a garlic sauce. Overall, a nice restaurant to have a fancy seafood meal before or after a trip to the mall. read more

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Decor : five stars Service: three stars Taste: alright Family friendly: Yes Price $$-$$$$ Parking: easy We arrived at 9:50 PM. I made sure by calling and asking. The man who answered the phone was pleasant. I appreciate that they open late. Not too many sit down places to choose from that isn't a bar on a Friday night in the suburbs. The host was distracted when we got there, we stood idle for a bit, which is understandable because a newly wed was having their last hurrah for the evening complete with a circle dance, sparklers, loud music, and clapping. It was definitely a joyful spectacle. The view inside is as beautiful as the well lit restaurant on the outside. First notice, there were many families in the main dining room with many children under 10 years old. We sat and waited for someone to come back to realize that we were forgotten. We asked the bus boy if someone could come to get our order and the lady that came by gave a confused look and asked if we needed something. Besides taking the order, bringing the food, and asking again for the check, no one dropped by to check if our water needs refilling unless we asked. They do come right away if you do ask though. Both the hummus and naan were excellent. Turkish coffee tasted as expected (ordered because it is very, very cold in the restaurant. Definitely bring a sweater). Seafood tower was more spectacular visually than the price point to taste. We got this because they advertised speciality in seafood. If I do go back, maybe the typical Middle Eastern cuisine might have been the better choice. read more

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We generally look forward to coming here. The ambience is very nice and the people are friendly. The food is pretty good too. This time we decided to try the buffet. 2 adults, 1 young child. The buffet was $25 per adult and $18 for the child - which, honestly feels very high considering he's under the age of 5 and had a handful of fries and 1 small fried fish filet. The pricing for children is also not listed anywhere, and in hindsight this feels like a means of being able to charge an arbitrary amount. Other establishments charge far less for a small child, so it was a bit of sticker shock. We were never offered any drinks other than water. My biggest gripe, is the fact that a gratuity was added to our bill by our server without any mention, so we ended up tipping on the bill + gratuity, obviously far more than we would have otherwise. Our bill came out to over $90! I understand when a large party has automatic gratuity added, but even in those cases the customer is made aware of this. This practice of adding automatic gratuity feels incredibly deceptive, like the server is taking advantage of the customer not noticing and therefore scoring a 40% tip. For that reason, we will not be coming back. read more

What an amazing experience, from the door to our departure, from the very welcoming host to our waiter Basil (spelling could be wrong) to the amazing flavors and portions, this place is a must! What a gem! read more