Food was great. Very authentic Lebanese. Will be back to try more dishes. Service was awesome.read more

We went for lunch with some coworkers! I loved the coffee…read morethat was served as soon as we entered the place! The staff seemed to be friendly! Parking options were very limited around noon! Also when we went inside it seemed a bit chaotic! There were five of us, one order was wrong and the another order came at the very end when the other four dishes were already finished! The food was good and delicious! I would like to imagine it was an off day and would like to go back there again! The quality and value of the food was definitely good!

I'm someone who will drive to any corner of the city (and beyond) in the name of food and this was…read moreevident when I recently found myself in The Palisades, an area that is just about as far north as you can get in Edmonton (and no where remotely close to where I live). If the Edmonton Journal is going to name Paramount Fine Foods as the Best Lebanese Restaurant 2021, I'm gonna try it! I made the trek across town on a Sunday evening, looking forward to the authentically fresh flavours of the Middle East that Paramount boasts about so enthusiastically. Founded in 2007 by Mohamad Fakih, a Lebanese-Canadian entrepreneur, the first Paramount Fine Foods location opened in Mississauga, Ontario. The company now comprises of over 75 restaurants, becoming the fastest-growing Middle Eastern food chain in Canada. You'll find Edmonton's location in a rather large complex on the edge of town. (Not kidding, you can see the empty fields nearby.) The restaurant's modern exterior and tall stature includes a small patio space in the front before entering into the expansive interior. I was surprised by the spacious, airy dining area designed with taste in mind. Dark wood, tiled columns, and pops of rich colour set the stage for what feels like a higher-end dining experience. I noted some interesting features in the space which included a kids playground (I swear that this place isn't a defunct McDonald's) and a prayer room. Paramount was quite quiet on our visit and our server was gracious and attentive. The menu is a lot larger than I would have expected and I enjoyed flipping through its colourful pages; from starters, to salads, to wraps and mains. Plus platters that are perfect for large groups and even breakfast on the weekends! (I'm super intrigued about the breakfast and would love to try it!) As one does, I started my journey with a drink and zeroed in immediately on something called the "Paramount Special." It sounds like the thing to get! Topped with almonds, crushed pistachios, ashta cream and honey, I really wanted to try this epic beverage! However, our server regrettably informed me that they couldn't make it. It wasn't clear why but I assume that they didn't have all of the ingredients on hand? This was honestly the only low point of the entire meal. Instead, I settled for Strawberry Mango Juice (A blend of fresh mango and strawberries - $8.99). The drink actually took quite some time to arrive, meanwhile almost all of the rest of our food showed up before it did. However, it was worth the wait because this blend of fresh lush mangoes and ripe juicy strawberries was wonderful. You could tell that the beverage contained real fruit and I enjoyed the swirling kaleidoscope of bright colours. The rest of our order was delivered to the table lightening-quick! The feast began with the Mezza Plate (Choice of three: world-famous hummus, moutabbal, labneh, muhammara, or tabbouleh - $13.99) which seemed like a great option to try a variety of Paramount's dips. Served with the most pillowy freshly baked homemade pita bread, straight out of their wood-burning oven! I honestly could've set my head down on one of those pitas and had a nap. In choosing our dips we went for the Moutabbal, Muhammara, and Labneh. (We did not select the hummus because it was included in something else that we ordered and we opted out of the tabbouleh because we were already ordering a different salad.) Circling back to the pita bread, it arrived warm and fluffy. Tearing off pieces and using it to scoop up the various dips was a complete joy. The Moutabbal, made with fire roasted eggplant blended with tahini and garlic and topped off with fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh pomegranate seeds, felt familiar. Very similar to baba ganoush. However, ours was not topped with parsley or pomegranate seeds as described. Regardless, I loved the true fire-roasted flavour of the eggplant which came through in such a bold and beautiful way. Next was the Muhammara, made with fire roasted red peppers, crushed mixed walnuts, zesty onions, authentic spices, and herbs and topped off with extra virgin olive oil and parsley. (There was no parsley.) This was the dip that I knew the least about... And that I loved the most! The flavour was big and exciting and I loved the nuttiness! This one was an unexpected surprise and I would order it every time. Lastly, the Labneh, made with thick creamy labneh (a type of yogurt cheese) mixed with garlic, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and topped off with their authentic zaatar seasoning, was also familiar. (Shout out to The Happy Camel, who's labneh I often purchase!) The version at Paramount was very enjoyable and I loved the creamy-cool texture. I swear that I could taste some mint in there as well. Some of the best salads come out of the Middle East - think tabbouleh and fattoush - and I had to order the latter to add some greens to the table. Paramount's Fattoush ($12.99) seemed like the way to go. I lov

"Not so elevated Middle Eastern Cuisine"…read more A terrific visit last November was memorable enough to have us crave Paramount Fine Foods while in Edmonton this evening. The big sign has the slogan " Elevated Middle Eastern Cuisine " thus raising the expectations we have had,, stemming from dozens and dozens of previous Paramount visits In Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver over the years... The decor is still very nice, four+ years or so after this Edmonton branch's opening; - modern, fast yet casual with table service. Tonight, the service was at times very slow and curt. We started with the lentil soup ($7.99) which came in a lovely ceramic bowl with deep fried pita chips. The soup was not liquidy; it had a very thick, "pudding-like" consistency and was super salty. It was definitely not fresh and appeared like it could have been reheated after being withdrawn from a cold, refrigerated bucket; not good. Next came the beef pie - which was nothing but a thin layer of ground beef on way too much dough ($6.99). Paramount is famous for its tabuli salad and of course we ordered it! (($10.99). Once it arrived to our table, we were shocked at the look of wilted parsley and the lack of dressing (it needed more tomatoes, lemon juice and olive oil to revive it); total dissapointment. "Elevated cuisine" means that you would assemble the salad as it is ordered for maximum freshness; ours tasted like it was sitting in a refrigerated tub for several days; no! No! No! The main course, the bbq beef platter ($22.99) had seven tiny yet very tender sirloin steak cubes; the remainder of the plate had a lot of filler rice and pickled beets, dill, onions and a 2 oz container of humus; very good yes - but the portion of meat was tiny for the price. The star of the meal was definitely the shareable dessert: The knnaffe Nablusieh ($9.99): It is a subtly sweet baked cheese dessert topped with baklava style shredded filo strips and pistachios; and then, it is drenched in syrupy rose water; this lived up to what Paramount is known for in Ontario - simply delicious!!!!!! With the abundance of similar eateries in Edmonton, Paramount Fine Foods didn't live up to its slogan as, during tonight's visit, there was nothing " elevated " about its Middle Eastern cuisine. Hopefully, they will get it together moving forward - so the quality of the food served at this branch can actually live up to their founding Ontario roots. Here at this Edmonton Paramount, The higher menu prices do not match the overall very average experience offered... we know Paramount Fine Foods has the ability to "wow" us; maybe next time!

I visited Al Salam for lunch some time ago. The restaurant had a laid back atmosphere and service…read more In terms of food, I tried the Chicken Shawarma Plate. The combination of chicken, rice, pita, dipping sauce, lettuce, etc. was nice. However, the chicken was a bit dry and the ratio of the food could be better, so I'd give them 7.8/10

This little bakery and restaurant has been around for a long time and I've just had a chance to try…read moreit out. The food was awesome. I don't think I've had such good hummus, well ever. And the falafel pita was so flavourful. Even the simple salad was made delicious with the lemon and pita chips. They also have an attached store so if you are for trying to make something at home you can pick up the ingredients right here. But why bother? Just come for a bite!

Stopped in while I was in the area and grabbed a Chicken Shawarma to go. Had plenty of seating had…read moreI chosen to eat in. Located in a strip mall. The staff were friendly and the wait wasn't too long. Absolutely delicious!!! The wrap was thin and soft with a slight crunch on the top. The chicken stuffing was juicy and full of flavour mixed with the sauce. So tasty, I'm looking forward to having it again. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed!

The food is delicious, never disappoints! The workers are so friendly, kind and helpful. The homey…read morecomfy chill environment vibe is truly refreshing! Go give it a try, highly recommend (:

Got delivery from Skip the Dishes. Ordered for "between 5:45PM-6:15PM" - came at 6:05PM…read more Donair Cheese Bread ($15) - kids loved this. Great size, lots of Donair meat, dough is nice and fluffy. Chicken Shawarma Calzone ($18) - 10/10 I was really surprised by how much I liked this one. Bigger than I thought too - BUT it's a Lot of dough and I would have liked to see more chicken in it. But flavor was really really good and I would recommend this. Mixed Shawarma Wrap ($17) - friend said he liked it. I didn't try it. Mixed Shawarma Plate ($24) - I got the "lunch" portion. Definitely big enough for 1 person but still quite pricey. Came with free home-made dessert - Looked like a cornmeal cake but tasted amazing. Overall super impressed with my order and the flavors.

Hubs and I were so excited to see Master Pita open up today in Tudor Glen, St. Albert!…read more The owners are passionate about their food! I first saw the owner's post on a local community Facebook page drumming up excitement and explaining how their shawarma is made traditionally from never frozen meat. From the second we walked through the door, we were greeted with warm smiles and excitement! The atmosphere is bright, clean, and fresh! They are happy to accommodate in any way they can and will gladly give you recommendations of their favourites! We tried the chicken and beef shawarma plate, tabouli salad, and a few appies. Oh.Em.Gee. The chicken breast shawarma was so juicy, so flavorful... heaven. The garlic sauce was divine and the tabouli, the best I've ever had! The beef was also amazing, don't get me wrong - I just fell in love with the chicken dipped in the garlic sauce. Mmm... my mouth is watering right now just remembering it ;-) Seriously, loved everything we tried. One of my usual tests of Mediterranean food is the falafels. Will definitely be back to try soon with their homemade baba ganoj. If it's anywhere as near as good as the shawarma, I might be in trouble and I hope hubs understands that Master Pita is going to be on speed dial for our weekly takeout meal! I really enjoyed getting to meet the staff and owners. Everything is made with love in this family run business. Husband and wife team, Mazin and Moni, made us feel welcome and were happy to answer our questions. Chef Said checked in with hubs and I throughout our meal to get feedback and make suggestions based on our likes. What really stuck with me was Mazin's family history. He grew up in small town Lac la Biche where his parents ran a restaurant, The Baron, and were pioneers in bringing pizza to town for the first time. It's clear that a passion for entrepreneurship, quality food, and caring customer service runs in his bloodline. Mazin shared that he is also working on adding Mediterranean style flatbread pizza here as well! Master Pita has hit the mark for healthy, fresh, quality and affordable Lebanese cuisine! Two thumbs WAY way up to Master Pita! I will be back soon, very soon!

I was looking for a place for lunch and drove past Maghawee Lebanese Grill and turned around…read more Lebanese fast food was something I hadn't tried before. Maghawee Lebanese Grill specializes in Lebanese cuisine. The focus of their menu is kabobs and pitas and everything is cooked while you wait. No warmed up or steam tray food here. When you walk in you're greeted by fabulous Lebanese scents which make your appetite that much stronger. I ordered the chicken kabob meal from their lunch menu and a pop. The price was a bit high for lunch, but I wanted it. As I waited in my banquette I listened to Lebanese music coming from the music videos on the wall mounted TV's. The server brought my lunch to me and then I realized why it was the price it was. Warm steamed pits, garlic dip, grilled chicken kabob, humus, tabbouleh, Lebanese veggies and cinnamon rice was what was for lunch. Yum! I was half way through my meal when the server came to check on me - good service, not too pushy and not not interested. Many people came and went during the course of my lunch for dine in and take out, which in my books is a good sign. After I finished my meal I was intercepted on my way to the washroom by the owner baring baklava for me. My gosh, this was the best baklava I've had - not too sweet or dripping with honey. He told me they have been in business since December and was glad that I enjoyed my lunch. That small gesture and general inquiry about my experience will make me come back. The only thing I suggest is they have breath mints at the till because you'll leave with garlic breath, and that is a good thing.

I'll keep this one short and sweet. We went here as our beloved Co Do Hue was closed (stupid…read moreTuesdays!). Located right beside Pho Du, we went for lunch to try Mashawee with three of my co-workers. Be warned now: a) Service is SLOW (took around 20-25 minutes to cook my lamb kebob pita sandwich) b) Prices are expensive for the amount of food you get (although in hindsight, should have ordered their lunch specials which are $10) c) They were OUT of chicken schwarma and falafel at noon! WHAT?!? How can you be out of your two main staple food items before the lunch rush... d) Pretty salty We each got a pita sandwich (lamb kebob, beef schwarma and two chicken kebob pita's). Lamb one is $9 with the others $7-$9 each. My one buddy and I left still hungry afterwards, never a good sign. Won't be back! Also, I should probably mention - 99% sure we got food poisoning from them. I had the chills last night...same thing with my one friend. Awesome stuff. Wow.

PitaBake is a Lebanese restaurant which serves a variety of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine, as…read morewell as some unique international fusion dishes. There is something to satisfy any palette. We ordered from skip the dishes, and everything was neatly and carefully packaged for safe transport. My husband got a shawarma plate with fries, rice, salad and pita. I ordered a chicken donair pita bake, which was a perfect portion size and really reasonable price. I find that shawarma plates are huuuuuuge and I just wasn't wanting that much food. This was perfect, and under $15. Everything was fresh tasting and yummy. I'd definitely order from here again.

Such good amazing food. Fresh, hot, ready to eat. High quality kind welcoming service and the vibe…read moreis lively, positive and just all around happy smiley satisfied customers. Highly recommend pita bike! You would love it (:

staff: friendly and hard working…read more service: quick and friendly. Considering we were a large group for a work function - they were fast and efficient. establishment: beautiful decor, big banquet room, nice clean and bright space. Great parking options outside. food: amazing! Great flavour! Generous portions. We had a set menu for a work function. It was all amazing. They do not serve alcohol.

A great place to spend time, events large and small. Today we celebrated a Christmas event. The…read moreatmosphere of comfort and tranquility!!! Clean, beautiful, quiet music!!! The food is delicious, the service is excellent!!! We'll be back! thanks to the owner and his team!!!

I used to come here when it had a different name. They sure kept the same quality and included more…read moreitems. Prices are decent for the quantity. They are open Thursday to Sat until 3AM. Provided quick service. Location is great, being on Jasper and across a bar.

La Shish is great comfort food for me. I always come here when I need something filling and yummy…read more The shawarma plate is always my go to and always hits the spot!

Very good shawarma but it lacks some flavour and the service isn't the best, I recommend there…read morefriends tho very yummy

Store bought pita + unseasoned meat is a deadly combination. I do not recommend eating here if you…read morewant to enjoy your food. If you're looking for the toughest pita you can find, this is your one stop shop.