SO GOOD!!!! We stopped in here while driving across the country. We wanted something healthy,…read morefresh, and delicious. We 100% hit the jackpot with Mariam's. We got the chicken kabob, a hummus plate, and the chicken shawarma wrap. If we lived nearby, we would go all the time. The Staff were so nice, and the portions were huge. A must visit!

Very fresh and delicious!…read more Very nice people! Cute atmosphere as Iris an old train car! They have beer and wine!

This is the real thing, grape leaves, kibbee and chicken shawarma are amazing . Don't pass on the…read morecoffee and baklava after!

The restaurant is located on a street that seems like it used to be bustling, died out, and is…read morestarting to revive. We arrived around 2:30pm on a Thursday, there was only one other group there. We were immediately greeted and our waiter was super friendly and chatty. The inside is pretty casual, and they played 2000s hits at a good volume. We started with a cup of Turkish coffee... I've never had Turkish coffee so maybe this is standard, but they did not offer cream or sugar. I don't usually like black coffee but it was surprisingly light, and the serving was pretty small so I actually quite enjoyed it. The owner later said it was the brand Utica coffee (which I love). We ordered the loaded fries, which came with taziki sauce, feta cheese, and tabouleh. Usually loaded fries feel very heavy and greasy, but these tasted very fresh. For the main dish, we ordered the Elias Gyro and the Layla Gyro. My pallet is usually more oriented towards lots of flavor and spice, so I found the Layla Gyro to be lighter than I would have liked. There wasn't as much sauce as I was expecting, but it was still very moist. I loved the pickled vegetables in it, but I wasn't a huge fan of the fries. The Elias Gyro was a lot more flavor heavy thanks to the garlic sauce, which was delicious. The meat in both gyros was cooked perfectly. Lastly, we had the baklava. Ive never had baklava before so I have nothing to compare it to, but oh my goodness it was so good. Overall, super positive experience. It's always such a treat to see the owner walking around interacting with customers, and I would definitely go again whenever I want something light and fresh.

Food is fantastic! Delicious Middle East cuisine, savory lamb, rice, and similar dishes. Specialty…read morecocktails, beer and wine list. Service was very hospitable, friendly and helpful. They take care of you. Ambiance is also a fave of mine- old Inn, outdoor dining on the porch in good weather, inside very cozy. Highly recommend!

I cant say enough about the Empire House, everyone is fantastic there. From the hotel to the…read morerestaurant, the menu, the rooms. The service is excellent. A great place to visit.

Got takeout and it was a ton of food for the price. Salad was freshly cut, fries were still crispy…read moreand hot, and the mixed chicken and lamb shawarma were both tender and nicely cooked. Sauce was great. Not fancy but that wasn't what I needed on a late work night!

LOVE LOVE LOVE their Gyro fries! Packed with flavored, loaded with meat and covered with sauce…read more Great value, fast and filling! Really good quality fries, takeout never disappoints! (been 5+ times) Keep up the good work!

We follow alaturco on Facebook where they had placed out a post stating they had a st pattys day…read morespecial for $39.99. Sounded like a great opportunity to try a bit of all their food. The ordering was simple and I reserved my order through fb messenger a few days prior to 3/17. The order to the pickup went smoothly and it was sooooo delicious. They placed it together when I arrived. If you've never been to the Ballston spa location and it's your first time, things to know: - tables for about 12 people in the restaurant at a time (no larger parties) - it gets warm in there, no matter the season! - they serve canned drinks and bottled water, so if you're a guzzler, bring your large reusable water bottle My favorite part was how the hummus was the best hummus I've had in years. No other restaurant makes it like this in the area and you've got to go in and try it!

Had the combo Gyro platter and very happy with portion size as well as flavor…read more It was dinner time and the meat however was a little Dried out probably was shaved hours ago. The owners are very nice and appreciative. The Baklava was super good.

Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina is like the Cava of Mediterranean food, and I mean that as a full…read morecompliment. It's a build-your-own, line-style setup, and when we arrived there was a good line of people--which is usually a good sign. My friend JD picked the place, so I let him go first and watched how it worked. I ended up getting a bowl with falafel and just loaded it up. I chose salad instead of a full bed of rice, with just a little rice added. By the time we were done building it, my bowl was so full I could barely close the lid and that's exactly how I like it. The food was fresh, healthy, and flavorful. The staff were very friendly and patient while we made our choices. If I lived in this area, this would absolutely be one of my go-to spots for a regular meal: healthy, fresh, nice atmosphere, and good people behind the counter. Easy 5 stars for Lafa

Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's on Commercial Drive in New Hartford continues to impress with its…read morefresh, wholesome Mediterranean flavors and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is built around a build-your-own bowl or pita concept, offering vibrant ingredients, aromatic spices, and perfectly balanced textures in every bite. I ordered the chicken shawarma bowl with rice, greens, and plenty of toppings each element tasted clean and homemade. The chicken was tender with that smoky-charred edge you want in shawarma, complemented by crispy chickpeas, tangy pickled turnips, and creamy hummus. What really adds to Lafa's appeal is the modern, comfortable setting and outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying your meal in the fresh air on a sunny day. The vibe is relaxed yet polished, making it just as great for a quick lunch as a laid back dinner with friends. The staff are friendly and efficient, keeping the service quick without ever feeling rushed. Portions are very generous for the price, and the freshness is undeniable you leave full but never weighed down. Their apple cider green tea is refreshing and pairs perfectly with the bold spices of the food. Between the clean ingredients, generous bowls, and the option to dine outside, Lafa has the balance of health, flavor, and atmosphere perfectly figured out. It's one of those places that keeps you coming back not just for the food, but for the overall good energy.

Never had a bad meal here. Consistently fresh product and is on time when ordered out or dining in…read more Prices are reasonable and you receive PLENTY of good. The "louies cart classics" are really good!!! Shaved lamb is muy delicioso.

Great food, friendly atmosphere and accommodating!! Excellent rice pudding!! Go there every time…read moreI'm in Utica!

This is a SPECIAL and delicious place. Set aside any doubts and get your culinary curiosity going…read moreand GO! I am a serious Yelper. I believe my reviews are honest. I love to help folk who want to avoid bad restaurants and especially to have excellent culinary experiences. I am grateful for others who lead me to memorable dining spots. This is one of them. One Arabian Night is tucked away in a scrappy part of Utica, NY. It's a Yemeni place so authentic at one point the chef came out during a call to prayer, unrolled a little rug and prayed. It's a beautiful thing. People being authentic and showing devotion. These guys are also devoted to flavor, and very generous portions at very good, honest prices. I got the succulent mixed lamb, which had chopped veggies and little pieces of roast potatoes. The dish came with a HUGE "sheet" of freshly baked flat bread with sesame seeds (as big as a pizza) WHO DOES THAT?! Side dishes were a fresh chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and lettuce with lemon juice and parsley, a bowl of very tasty lamb broth and a spicy chutney. I was blown away. When I was there it was catering only to Arabic families and men amiably chatting and eating with their hands. I was taught by my mom to respect other cultures and do as they do: so I observed the locals a little and dug in -ripping bread off and using it to grab finger fulls of food. It was wonderful. They also have an urn of self-serve sweet spiced tea to help make this a unique and unmissable dining experience in Utica. Go! And please leave your xenophobia behind. This ancient civilization (one of the world's OLDEST) has something to teach the most hardened burger-chomping American.

I've only ever ordered delivery but it's always delish! I'll make sure to dine in soon.read more

Fabulous food!! Amazing owner! Exceptional! Sara is a one of…read morea kind owner. Can't wait to go back.

Previously came in and took the gram out for lunch. We ordered the stuffed grape leaves, the…read morehummus, and the Egyptian falafel wrap, all very flavorful. We left full, satisfied, and she made the comment that we should come back sometime. This time, I had the phone with me, so I made a point to take a few pictures to post, although it was a light lunch. The service, ambiance, and dining experience is all on point. The restaurant is very clean and inviting.