We just got home from dinner here and my wife and I loved it. The food was absolutely top notch. We…read morestarted with the potatoes in garlic sauce and an order of the haroumi and watermelon. What a great kick off! As for our mains, we both ordered a variation of the combo plates. I had the chicken tawook and beef. The Mrs. had the chicken and lamb. All good. Based on the food alone, we would recommend this place to anyone with a beating heart and more importantly, a mouth. This is quality food at a quality price. The atmosphere? Really great. It's a little dark and twinkly inside which sets a nice tone. There is cool artwork adorning every piece of wall, the place is very easy on the eyes...including the restrooms. Very clean. Our sever, didn't catch his name, but what a nice dude. Was super helpful without being "too much" he should teach a server class. He's pretty much who you want taking care of your table. He knew the menu well and made great suggestions. It was actually refreshing. We will come back, most likely with the family. Our waiter told us that they can accommodate larger groups which is great. I recently ate food at Saffy's and I didn't enjoy it one bit. The servings there are too small, too pretentious and too overpriced. Open Sesame is the exact opposite and that's why it rules. A wonderful experience in Beverly Boulevard.

How Do I Start This Rationally ? Atmosphere Is A 5/5. Service Is 5/5. Food was 2.5/5. I Will…read moreExplain. If You A Charging $145 For A Group Platter, Then Everything Must Me PERFECT ! The Chicken Shawarma Was Inedible Because Is Was Obviously Dry And Lying Around For The Next Customer. The Beef Was Good. The Beef Shawarma Was AMAZING ! Probably The Best Thing. On The Menu. Tabouli Was Great. $260 With Tip Divided By Three Is Too Expensive For My First Experience Here. I Told The Manager That They Shouldn't Have Served The Chicken Shawarma If It Was Dry. Anyways.

Really enjoyed my visit here!…read more I came here in a Saturday night with a friend. Parking was relatively easy and we were able to find a spot near the restaurant. When we walked in, we were greeted by the staff and immediately sat at a table near the patio. We were able to meet the manager who was very kind and assisted us on our order for food and drink orders. For food, we ordered the French fries and the bread. The bread came out like a pizza and was really delicious. Loved the ambiance of the restaurant. It was really pretty inside and we loved how chill it felt. It was a great night and I'll definitely be back.

The food was the biggest disappointment of the entire experience. For the prices they charge, I…read moreexpected fresh, flavorful dishes. Instead, everything tasted average at best. The meat was dry and lacked seasoning, the rice was bland, and several dishes arrived barely warm. Nothing felt freshly prepared. The ingredients seemed low quality, and the presentation could not hide the fact that the food simply lacked flavor. Even basic items that are difficult to get wrong were forgettable. The menu looks impressive, but the actual food does not live up to the description. It feels like you're paying for the location and atmosphere rather than for quality cuisine. There are many Persian and Mediterranean restaurants in Los Angeles that serve far better food for the same price or less. Unfortunately, this was one of the most underwhelming meals I've had in a long time, and I would not return.

The food is amazing! There seems to be only one worker during the time we went so it does take a…read morewhile for you to get your food but it was worth the wait. I really needed to use the restroom but there isnt a restroom there. There is a hookah lounge next door that seems to be connected, so if you need the restroom you can use that one!

I had such a great experience at Lucia Mediterranean Grill. I paid $1.25 for an hour of parking,…read morebut it was absolutely money well spent. The restaurant has a really homey feeling inside, with about four small tables that make it feel cozy and welcoming. It's the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable. My partner and I ordered the chicken shish kebabs with mejadra rice, salad, and sumac fries. Everything was delicious! The plate also came with hummus and pita, which were incredibly fresh and flavorful. The hummus was smooth, rich, and perfect with the warm pita. Hermon helped recommend our food, cooked it, and even served us. She was so kind and made the whole experience feel really personal. She also offered us complimentary baklava, which was amazing. It had the most soft, chewy texture with just enough sweetness. When I asked her what the secret ingredient was, she just smiled and said she couldn't spoil it so you'll have to try it for yourself! Definitely recommend stopping by if you're in the area.

If you're considering Casa Madera, you already know it's expensive. The question is: is it worth…read moreit? I've been to several NYC restaurants just as expensive but lacking the ambiance, level of service, and overall good vibes. That said, the price of admission includes the food, service, and ambiance. The overall experience for our party of 9 was even greater than the sum of its parts. First off, we were celebrating my niece's college graduation, so we were already in a good mood. Food (8/10): Ceviche (7/10): Good, but I've had better. The seafood was fresh, and the plantains were crispy and lightly salted. Mayan Chop (7/10): OK. I thought it lacked flavor, but the rest of the table enjoyed it. Parmesan truffle fries (7/10): I'm not sure the truffle flavor really comes through, but they were hot, crispy, and well seasoned. Street corn (7/10): Others enjoyed it, but the flavor didn't quite align with my other street corn experiences. Parmesan mashed potatoes (10/10): Creamy and well-seasoned. Delicious! Black truffle burrata (10/10): I never knew I needed this. We ordered it based on other reviews--thanks, Yelp! The combination of burrata, honeycomb, and tortilla was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. Arrachera tacos (9/10): Good! They come two to an order with a nice bite. Wagyu beef short ribs (9/10): Melt-in-your-mouth tender and well seasoned. I preferred the au jus over the other accompaniments. I ate the tortillas separately because the rib flavor got lost when combined. Don't let the menu or the dinosaur bone fool you: this is a single serving of short ribs. Seafood paella (10/10): I think it was paella. One of the highlights of the night. Packed with lobster, shrimp, fish and scallops over a bed of creamy, seasoned rice. We kept going back for more. Assorted desserts (10/10): tres leches, butter cake with vanilla ice cream, Oaxacan chocolate tart with coconut gelato, cinnamon churros, fresh sliced strawberries and graham cracker sand. Service (10/10): Excellent! Everyone we interacted with was warm and welcoming. Our server was friendly, hospitable, and knowledgeable. We never wanted for anything because she was always attentive. She even offered to take pictures, which we appreciated. At the end of the meal, the staff cleared the table and placed a plate in front of everyone. To our surprise, they brought out a complimentary dessert board for us to share. The level of class and professionalism contributed to our joyful evening. Ambiance (10/10): Absolutely beautiful! From the furnishings to the lighting to the artwork to the view--breathtaking. It's like part restaurant, part art gallery, part nightclub.

Casa Madera is absolutely gorgeous, and I was excited to finally try it for Father's Day. We were…read morethere to celebrate my father-in-law, and the overall atmosphere is definitely beautiful and trendy. Unfortunately, we were seated in a back corner, basically behind the TV and right next to the DJ, so we couldn't really enjoy the ambiance the way we had hoped. For food, I ordered the lobster Benedict and hamachi. My partner ordered the burger, and we also got oysters for the table. Overall, the food was okay. The lobster Benedict tasted good, but for a $40 dish, I definitely expected more lobster. The drinks were good, though, and I liked that they had the World Cup game playing on a big TV, even if our table placement made it hard to fully enjoy that part of the experience. That said, the service could have been warmer and more attentive. We had to ask for extra menus, and throughout the meal it felt like the staff kept disappearing. We ordered appetizers, but it took a while for someone to come back and take our main order. Maybe it was because we were tucked away in the back corner, but it definitely made us feel overlooked. Some of the servers also came across a bit pretentious, which didn't make the experience feel as welcoming as it could have. Overall, Casa Madera is a beautiful restaurant with good drinks and a fun vibe, but the seating, service, and value of some dishes could be better.

Celebrated my birthday at Laya last night with a group of five, and it was honestly one of the best…read moredining experiences I've had in a long time! First, a huge shoutout to our waitress, Sandra. She was personable, attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm throughout the entire evening. Her recommendations were spot on, and she made our celebration feel special. We started with several appetizers: the beet hummus (delicious), homemade pickles (perfectly crunchy with just the right amount of spice), goat cheese & za'atar (earthy and flavorful), and the fried kibbeh (yum). For our mains, we shared the mixed kabob plate and the branzino. The mixed kabob plate was surprisingly generous and easily fed our table alongside the appetizers. The Wagyu beef kabob was hands down the best kabob I've ever had--and I eat kabobs often. The flavor profile was incredible, with hints of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and onion that came together perfectly. Every bite was memorable. The branzino was equally impressive--fresh, flavorful, and not fishy at all. The green sauce served with it was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were fantastic, the atmosphere was beautiful, and every detail felt thoughtfully executed. It's rare to find a restaurant where the food, service, drinks, and aesthetics are all a 10/10, but Laya truly delivers on every front. Also, a special shoutout to the assistant manager, who took the time to check on tables and chat with guests. We had a blast talking with him and really appreciated the hospitality. Laya has it all. Can't wait to come back!!

I have been wanting to come here forever ever since I knew that the owner Charbel was a winner in…read moreMidEast Top Chef! We made a reservation for Saturday at 6pm. Unfortunately we were running late but the host in the front still let us in. We got seated in the bar area till we got our seat. Ambiance: It literally felt like we were transported to another country! It was mostly outdoors with a lot of earthy colored tones. We started off with drinks. We got the Heart of the Desert. Not only was it pretty, it tasted so good! Not overly sweet but you can taste the tequila. For appetizers we got the batata hara (a triple cooked potatoes with cilantro, chili and garlic) and humus with shawarma. You can't go wrong with that! We then got the mixed grill platter which included 3 different kebabs: wagyu beef kebab, chicken tawook and kofta. I'll be honest I did think the kofta was a bit on the overcooked side. We ended with the rose soft serve with cotton candy on top. Definitely Instagram worthy! Lol As we were talking to our waiter, he did mention that the chef and owner wanted this place to be a shareable experience and it really was! Now the icing on the cake was they had live entertainment. A lady who was playing the violin. Tell me why I felt like I was in Bridgeton! lol

Absolutely Exceptional Dining Experience…read more Nua in Beverly Hills completely exceeded my expectations. I ordered the Chicken Schnitzel with fries, and as someone who grew up in Germany, I can honestly say this was one of the best schnitzels I've ever had--better than many I've had there. Perfectly golden and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and cooked to absolute perfection. The fries were equally delicious and served fresh and hot. What truly elevated the evening, however, was the outstanding hospitality. Casey, the manager, has a rare gift for making guests feel genuinely welcome. He was attentive without being intrusive, allowing us to enjoy a peaceful, uninterrupted dinner while still making every table feel valued. His calm demeanor, warmth, and natural ability to connect with people created such a relaxing atmosphere. In a world where service can sometimes feel rushed or forced, Casey's approach was refreshing and unforgettable. The drinks were magical. I'm a huge fan of virgin mojitos, and finding a truly great one has become surprisingly difficult these days. Nua absolutely nailed it. Every sip was refreshing, balanced, and thoughtfully crafted. The ambiance deserves special recognition as well. The space is artistic, elegant, and cozy without being overwhelming. From the beautiful mix of vases, plants, flowers, and flowing curtains to the soft lighting and tasteful décor, every detail felt intentional. Even the outdoor heaters were pleasant--something many restaurants overlook. The entire restaurant has a charming, romantic, Tulum-inspired vibe that feels both sophisticated and comfortable. Service was impressively quick, the food arrived promptly, and every aspect of the experience felt seamless from start to finish. Nua isn't just a restaurant--it's an experience. Delicious food, exceptional drinks, beautiful ambiance, and hospitality that genuinely stands out. Highly recommended, and a special thank you to Casey for making our evening so memorable. We'll absolutely be back.

What happened to Nua???…read more It used to be a hidden gem; a warm, welcoming restaurant with exceptional food, genuine family-like service, and generous, satisfying portions. All of that is gone. The food is unrecognizable. The Israeli breakfast looked like a sad box lunch. The shook salad was essentially a bowl of arugula with a few stray vegetables hiding somewhere inside. And the famous Hummus Masabaha, once a signature dish worth returning for, has been reduced to a small cup of garbanzo beans with a drizzle of olive oil and a single egg, at less than half the size it used to be. I will not be returning, and I cannot recommend this place to anyone who remembers what it once was. Bring back the real Nua!

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend dinner at Ladyhawk. My family ordered several dishes to…read moreshare so we could sample a little of everything. We started with the Zaa'tar Ma'noushe, recommended by our server, and it was the perfect way to kick off the meal. The Olive-Crusted Rack of Lamb my father-in-law ordered was tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Two of us ordered the Half Chicken, which was incredibly crispy and paired beautifully with the accompanying sides. My sister-in-law's Dry-Aged Wagyu was rich, beautifully prepared, and packed with flavor. However, the true standout was my mother's Whole Daurade. The seasoning and bright pickled sauce elevated the dish and made it the star of the table. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, and the entire meal made for a memorable celebration.

Was it good? Yes was it great? No…read more We had the lamb chops- overly fatty. Fattoush- posh version, not authentic. The drinks were amazing and the ambiance 10/10. Beautiful restaurant inside a very chic hotel

Absolutely 10/10 in every category. Gorgeous ambiance…read more Amazing service. The food seriously did not miss. Cocktail on point. Just go here. Don't wait. Gnocchi appetizer 10/10 gnocchi was super soft and pillowy. Melt in your mouth. Ribeye 10/10 cooked to perfection, and the potatoes au gratin it came with chefs kiss Lamb entree with herbs 10/10 also cooked perfectly. Loved the fresh herb contrast. At first i didn't think it would work but it definitely did. Chocolate lava cake 10/10 wish it came with a lil more ice cream but I'll just ask for more next time. Loved the manhattan cocktail, well balanced Espresso martini was yummy too No notes. Just eat here.

Delicious high-quality food Lovely setting for an intimate…read moredinner Must have a reservation though