This is one of the few places in town where I know I'm guaranteed to have an amazing experience. There are no misses on the menu, everything is pretty much assured to be absolutely delicious. There's really nothing to complain about, the patio and interior are stunning and transport you out of south congress. Service has always been prompt and good, they always refill the pita when you're running low. My personal favorites are the steak frites and the eggplant dip, seriously SO good. Everytime I come here I look forward to the next time I can go again read more

We recently visited Aba on a Sunday evening for dinner, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience overall. I absolutely love the vibe of this place--it's definitely a high-end Mediterranean restaurant, perfect for special occasions. What really stood out was how beautifully everyone was dressed; it added to the upscale, elegant atmosphere of the entire space. The restaurant offers both indoor seating and a beautiful outdoor seating area, which really elevates the overall experience. The outdoor space, in particular, adds to the charm and makes it a great spot for a relaxed yet upscale evening. Since reservations weren't available, we decided to arrive early, expecting a long wait. Luckily, being a Sunday evening, it wasn't too crowded, and we were seated within about 20 minutes. For drinks, I ordered a Tender Robot Hazy IPA, while my husband went with the Verdant Mai Tai. I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve canned beer and don't offer draft options, as I personally prefer draft beer and am not a big fan of cocktails, which tend to be too sweet for my taste. For the main course, I had the Heirloom Chicken Thighs, and my husband ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Both dishes were cooked to perfection--flavorful, well-seasoned, and the meat was incredibly tender. That said, the portion sizes felt a bit small considering the price point. We ended the meal with the Sticky Date Cake, and it was hands down the best I've ever had--rich, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. Overall, we had a great experience. Between the beautiful ambiance, flavorful food, and exceptional service, it's a place I'd definitely return to. I'm giving it 4 stars mainly because of the lack of draft beer and the smaller portion sizes for the price, but it's still a fantastic spot worth visiting. read more

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Aba - yes!! We so lucked out in finding this place and getting a reservation! The ambience is adorable! Super vibey, modern, and beautiful indoors and outdoors. The service was awesome. Staff was super friendly, server explained everything well, didn't rush us, and was very helpful! The food is amazing here. We loved our kebabs and appetizers. Wine and drinks are good here. It's definitely pricey, but if you come in knowing that... then it's a fabulous experience. They change the menu seasonally to keep things fresh. When in town, we would def come back! read more

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This restaurant is absolutely worth the hype and a must-try if you're looking for a fantastic culinary experience. We made a reservation day-of (which honestly worked out perfectly, but in the future I'd try to have more forethought because it was a rather late lunch). Restaurant was absolutely gorgeous and we were immediately seated upon arrival. Our waitress was sweet and friendly. Our toddler had a moment when he started wandering around chasing birds and the staff was kind and non-judgmental. Star of the show was hands down the food. We ordered the whipped feta (3/5), the short rib hummus (5/5), the chicken thighs (5/5), and the pork belly (5/5). Everything was delicious, but the whipped feta, while good, was not as otherworldly and unique as everything else. Next time I'd hope to try the stracciatella instead. read more

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Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Aba transported us to a different world from everything to the ambience, the lighting, the service, the workers and the food! Once we were dropped off we went down this walkway and noticed a bar area to the right. I thought that was a separate bar area but turned out to be a section of the restaurant. I looked to my left and there was a path with people sitting down the path. Basically this place was huge and turns out there are three separate bar areas you can find seating in and there are two to three huge main dinning areas inside & out. The whole vibe is like a jungle/forest vibe and the low lighting was perfect. The ONLY thing that could have made it perfect was a better selection of music. I would have never left. We ended up finding two seats at one of the bars in the patio area and our waitress was amazing! She gave us advice on a few items and even gave us one of her favorite desserts on the house. We decided to start out with the brisket hummus (amazing!), the jumbo crab cakes ( so good), and the grilled salmon (cooked to perfection). I also got a Mediterranean Mule and had her add passion fruit. Lastly, we had a date cake that was out of this world! I couldn't even explain it but it did have some sort of crème brûlée taste to it and I LOVE crème brûlée. Our waitress made the experience that much better, conversing with us and just having a good time. I wish I remembered her name to give her a huge shout out but she does work in the bar area. As mentioned, the dessert she let us try was the frozen yogurt drizzled with honey (it was the least favorite out of everything). Overall, I highly recommend checking out Aba and it's one of my top restaurants on the list. You will not be disappointed! I would recommend sitting in the patio area with the forest them. Truly an awesome experience. OOOOO 5 out of 5 Afros read more

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So excited to get yo work in Austin again as it means to get to eat in Aba which is just always exceptional! Enjoyed a mini reunion on the delightful back patio on this pretty spring day, shaded by a huge tree, it's a pretty spot in this city Service was exceptional thoughout ! We had to wait on a guest and they were patient with us as we enjoyed their always great classic hummus and delicious warm pita which they happily top up! Enjoyed some refreshing cocktails and I tried 2 of their dishes which I loved! The tuna tartare which was fresh with the right amount of heat and the cucumber dish which also lacked some heat and made me inspired to eat more cucumbers if I can replicate this dish! Cannot wait to be back - this is an Austin must try!! read more

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Will definitely be back! Love the vibe, drinks, food, and service! This place was recommended by a friend and I'm so glad we listened! We loved the whipped feta, garlic humus, and beef kefta. read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Great value if you come with a group and share a bunch of dishes. Service is pretty fast even when they're busy. Beautiful restaurant with gorgeous indoor and outdoor seating. The pita was seasoned and flavorful. The muhammara was more tomato and chili forward that walnut and date syrup forward like I prefer, but still yummy. The chicken skewers were good, but the ribeye was much better. The rice and sauces were so flavorful. The only thing I'd skip was the brussels and apple salad. It was good but there's probably better thing on the menu. read more

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Best meal I had while visiting Austin! The lamb chops were so tender and not gamey at all, and my friends also thoroughly enjoyed their steak frites, kebabs, and hummus and feta dips. The cocktails were also delicious. The interior is dim and romantic, perfect for a date night or a fun girls' night! The outdoor seating is also beautiful, but it was cooler (temp-wise) inside so we opted for that. Would definitely recommend! read more

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Love it! I've been a few times.. even on my birthday! And they offerred a free frozen treat with a dandle :) The spot is so beautiful and immersive on South Congress, tucked into a walkway between buildings. There's greenery everywhere, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and the covered patio gives it a slightly European feel. The lighting is soft and diffused, which makes the whole space feel a bit transportive. The menu pulls from a mix of Mediterranean influences like Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece, so there's a lot of flavor going on. The hummus is a standout. Super creamy, really well seasoned, and honestly one of those dishes you keep going back to. It's a great place to share a few things and try different flavors. read more

Aba - Brussies!!!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Always a rock solid choice. You could a corporate dinner, have a date night or vibe at the bar. This is a staple for me. Predictable and consistent service and food. read more

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The ambience felt very fun. Loud music, lively diners/drinkers and I loved the decor and plants throughout. I was in town for a conference and was the last one in Austin so I found a spot at one of the three bars and dined there. I ordered the classic hummus as well as the chicken thigh dish. To drink, I enjoyed the "Aloe? It's Me." cocktail which was very tasty and refreshing. I judge a mediterranean restaurant by their hummus and this place did not disappoint. It was absolutely perfect, I could have eaten it all in one sitting but I stopped to save room for my entree. The chicken melted in my mouth. It had a perfectly juicy bite with a nice char on the outside and the entire dish was delicious. Every ingredient was so thoughtfully included to make it this tasty meal. The service was quick despite how busy they were. My water was filled right before it was fully empty which I appreciated after a long day at a conference and they were very friendly. I will absolutely recommend this place and try to dine here again the next time I'm in town. read more

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We have been trying to get a reservation for one our trips to Austin and we finally made it work! We made reservations a month or two in advance. We were able to find street parking so that ran $4 for 2 hours compared to $30ish for the garage. We ordered the garlic humus and it was so good! It is served warm. We tried salmon and chicken kabobs and both were really good. We also enjoyed steak frites and a side of crispy potatoes. All of the food was great! Our server was so nice and attentive. The atmosphere is so cute! We sat inside and had water dripping on us so that was the only downside. But we will be back! read more

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The food lives up to the hype. Great plant vibe and phenomenal food. Can't go wrong here at all! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Wow! Just wow! Everything about this was amazing! Our server was friendly and knowledgeable! The food was OUTSTANDING! We just shared a few apps! The presentation was beautiful too. The restaurant is gorgeous! I can't wait to go again on my next visit! read more

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I came here for a work event and so got to sample a lot of food. Appetizers: - Of the dips, the eggplant was my favorite, then the hummus, then whipped feta - the crab cakes were good and on the slightly lighter side; not a must get but I could eat 2 of these because it wasn't so rich Mains: - the braised beef with polenta was my favorite entree. Tender beef with flavorful polenta dotted with seeds and glaze - Brussel sprouts were amazing and the crispy potatoes were good too but slightly less good. I'd still order both again. - grilled salmon was not overcooked but barely seasoned - grilled chicken was too dry, skip The date cake and chocolate cake weren't bad but not necessarily worth getting either. I was intrigued more by the Greek froyo. I also tried the mocktail green juice which was tart and tasty. I also had a glass of zinot(?) Something that tasted similar to a zinfandel. read more

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Wow, the decor in this restaurant is just stunning and beautiful, colorful, , romantic,relaxing and playful. Services top notch servers are very knowledgeable, engaging and helpful. Allowing you to sample a wine before choosing. From the appetizers to the main courses all are unique, beautiful flavorful, and delicious . you feel like you're sitting in a restaurant in Greece. Hope you get to enjoy. read more

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Upon walking in you are transported to a different place. The decor is fun and gives a little whimsy with the greenery and lighting. There are so many different seating areas to choose from. We came here for a birthday and were welcomed in and treated with kindness. Our waiter was great and super friendly. The food was wonderful! This is definitely a shared plate situation which is great to try different things. My absolute favorite dish was the short rib hummus. I was impressed by the flavor and the tenderness of the meat. This is a must get dish for me! We also got the chilled cucumbers which was a perfect palette cleanser between dishes. We ended with the lamb kefta which was really good and a great homemade tzatziki. Since it was my husbands birthday the waiter ended with a birthday surprise of a sticky date cake--I wouldn't have thought to order this but would recommend it --it was so good! The cake was flavorful and sweet but more on the mild side. A really great ending to an amazing meal! read more

Aba - Crispy Short Rib Hummus* - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place was incredible. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the space was huuuge. We ordered the short rib hummus, muhamarra, prime skirt steak frites, and the truffle baked orzo. Everything was honestly cooked to perfection. My favorite was the muhamarra spread. The flavors blended in so perfectly with the cashews(?) in the dish. The dish has a little bit acidity to it so it created a bit of a tangy taste which I personally felt like did well. The short rib hummus was so hearty. I personally didn't care as much for the short rib. The hummus stole the show for me. The steak frites were cooked so nicely. I felt like they used Mediterranean spices to cook the steak and so it felt different than other steaks I've had. Lastly, the orzo was incredible. My friend usually doesn't like truffle but for this dish - the truffle did not feel overpowering at all. I will be dreaming about the muhammara spread! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Chicken Shawarma, Chilled Cucumbers, Hummus.. This place a great!! Worth coming here if anyone has not tried this spot yet. 5 Stars! Cocktails here are on point as well if u would like one!! This place is great. There is a lot of outdoor seating, a bar, and heat lamps when needed. The indoor dining area is welcoming, beautiful and warm. Cheers! read more

Aba - Hummus and Chilled Cucumbers - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Just wanted to write a little update to say that we had the most amazing service thanks to Jennifer! She told us all about Ima in Chicago, which is also opening up a location in Austin hopefully soon! Outdoors ambiance continues to be stunning, as does the food. From the current menu, I would recommend the straciatella, mushroom kebabs, and sticky toffee date cake as the all star standouts. read more

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Finally tried out this place, reservations are always booked out so we tried coming on a Tuesday evening. Still had to wait 30 min for a table for 3, but this place is so beautiful, waiting at the bar wasn't so bad! We were seated outside, which was also stunning. I loved the whipped feta, worth the hype for sure! The pita it comes with is amazing too. The beef hummus was ok but would probably try something else. Chicken kebab was good, as was the salmon... Preferred the chicken though. The steak was alright but too chewy for me. Loved the orzo, basically like Mac and cheese but the texture was perfect as were the breadcrumbs. Service was nice. But they did bring us the wrong hummus (intended to get the smoky one but they brought out another). They also brought two dishes that weren't for us, which we turned away. Also... Check your bill! They added a $20 martini that we didn't order. Overall I'd go back for the food and ambiance. read more

Ambiance: 5/5: they have a great ambiance. The outdoor seating area is so pretty. Service: 5/5: Our server was friendly and checked in at the right times. Food: 5/5: We ordered an appetizer and the chicken kebab. Both were so flavorful. We did not order drinks, but definitely will next time. This place is great for date night. read more

Aba - Grilled Chicken Kebab - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Aba has been on my list for months! I was super exited to try this restaurant, however I felt like it wasn't as good as I hoped. The hummus was good, can't go wrong with a classic hummus. 4/5. The whipped feta, could've been better, it was too much feta, felt like it could've had something added to it, make it different. 3/5 The crispy potatoes were basic. Nothing new, and it was a big dish, plus the server didn't bring it till the end, which at that point we had already finished our main dish. 2/5 The pork belly described great on the menu however when we got it, it was basic and heavy. There wasn't anything to balance it out. 4/5 The pickled cucumbers, were good, had a nice kick to them. 4/5 Overall, it was a good experience, the restaurant is beautiful, but the meal could've been a lot better. Great quality food but the price for the meal was not worth it. Overall 3.5/5. Love the plants everywhere. I would like to try this restaurant again with a different menu. read more

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Fantastic service, fun, lively spot, refreshing cocktails, and a perfect light bite while strolling Congress. How have we missed this gem in the city? Can't wait to come back for more. Lots of seating options. Bring your friends! read more

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Beautiful restaurant and amazing food. We came for my bachelorette party and had a set menu due to the number of people. The whipped feta, fresh pita, and grilled chicken were my favorites. The custom menu was the cherry on top. Highly recommend! read more

Aba - Menu - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Literally my only complaint is that they don't serve the sampler on weeekends! My BIL and sister brought us here for an afternoon "snack" and it was perfect. They have so many amazing dips to choose from and I wanted to try all of them. We opted for the crispy short rib hummus, feta dip, and Muhammara - for four people it was the perfect amount to fill us up and they brought so much bread! The bread was light, warm, and fluffy, I wanted to just eat that. But when I tell you I wanted a sampler - literally everything on the menu looked good. We got a couple cocktails as well which all fit the vibe super well. Light, airy, and great flavor. Such a cool spot in a really unique area, I can see why my family loves it! read more

Aba - Mediterranean Near Me - Austin, Texas

Aba is a beautiful restaurant with a modern and quaint vibe. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, and we chose to sit outside. It was very cozy and the temperature was perfect. It was a great spot to relax and enjoy the evening. The service was very friendly and attentive. We only had drinks and dessert. The menu is somewhat pricey. The frozen yogurt was light and refreshing. The pistachio panna cotta was interesting both the panna cotta and the orange topping were good on their own, but together the combination didn't quite work for me. Paid parking was difficult to find but this was a lovely spot with great ambiance. read more

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Dang, this place is hard to get into. Over a month wait to get in on a weekend when making reservations via open table. The day finally arrived; backed my car in on Congress and headed in for brunch. GF and I dining; tried to keep it around a $100 experience. No brunch drank for me I guess. But, I had had a few beers in the AM so I didn't need it. Cute space; Top Chef cred behind the menu. We obviously wanted to try a hummus. But my push for the eggplant spread was strong. The short rib hummus proved nice bites. But, it paled in comparison to the smoky eggplant spread. GF who didn't even want to order it exclaimed best dish of the visit. House bread comes with near everything. Perfect vessel for every appetizer tried. I should have ordered another spread! My kefta and eggs was fine; I do love me some tzatziki. Not that I get too often. Perhaps, the lamb/beef mixture bit dry. Eggs cooked to order.Rice was flavorful. Her khachapuri was the better dish. Snacked on the bread bowl until we left. Mixture of baked egg, mushrooms, and cheese will be my go to dish when we return for a visit. read more

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The vibe here is really what it's all about. The food is good and I've been now three times so I do think it's worth it. I just would not say it's the best Mediterranean you can get but the overall package of ambiance, service, food, and drink is what keeps me coming back. My ratings on our food below. Whipped feta - 8/10, This is usually my go to but it was a little over salted this time Crispy short rib hummus - 9/10, really great flavor and short rib is tender and crispy which adds nice texture. A little greasy but we didn't mind Truffle baked orzo - 7/10, good flavor and liked the breadcrumb topping but far too rich from the truffle so we could only have a few bites Lamb and beef kefta - 9/10, first time trying this and I'm glad that we did. Cooked perfectly and the basmati rice flavor is so good read more

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A delightful meal at Aba! This place is superr hard to snag a rez and this was our second time trying to eat here as the available spots pop up so randomly. Got the smoky garlic hummus 9.5/10 - hummus perfection, love the chilly oil. charred egg plant 7/10 - a little too citrusy/sour for my taste but very smooth and a nice dip for the pita. Mains are Braised beef short rib husband rated it 10/10 and my halibut crusted fish 9/10 was very tasty and unique. The polenta in the short rib dish was silky smooth. And I love the crust on the fish. Very well executed. The sticky date cake was quite tasty and remind me of the brown butter cake at Intero. It has a dollop of cream on the side which helps balance out the sweeteness a lot. Good service and nice romantic ambiance. It can be a bit loud though. read more

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This restaurant is an Austin gem. It is very cute inside, the decor is beautiful inside and out. The food is also wonderful. We went for happy hour and got multiple different things that were delicious. The happy hour is only at the bar, and the bar seating is limited but the staff was very nice and helped us get a spot when one opened up. read more

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You go for the "vibe". Food wasn't that great. They took too long and food was cold for the time we waited. They have food trucks doing it a lot better. read more

I was excited to come back to Aba but the food wasn't as good as I remember. The short rib hummus was good but a bit too salty, same for the braised short ribs. The meat melts in my mouth. It was juicy and tender, but too salty. Halibut was decent. read more

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Love Aba! I first hit them up in Chicago and was thrilled to find they made the trek to Austin too. The dips are basically life-changing. Smoky bell pepper dip? I could write a love letter. Short rib hummus? Yes, and take my paycheck too. Skewers? Always solid. And then... the olive oil froyo and date cake. Honestly, I think I found heaven. The outdoor vibe is like Instagram met the wilderness and decided to elope. Parking is South Congress-level chaotic, but that's part of the adventure, right? Service was quick, no wait on a weeknight, and prices don't require selling a kidney. Will be back... probably sooner than my wallet would like. read more

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This review is for Aba in Austin, a Mediterranean fusion restaurant that had been on my list for a while, though I hadn't made a point to prioritize it. My boyfriend and I were in the South Congress area on a Sunday looking for brunch, and we initially planned to go to Two Hands. Unsurprisingly, it was packed--as it's one of those go-to brunch spots--so we decided to check out Aba next door. Even though Aba isn't known for brunch, they do serve it, and that ended up working in our favor. We got lucky and were seated on the patio pretty quickly. To start, we ordered drinks. Unfortunately, their coffee options were limited--just plain black coffee--so I got an iced La Colombe coffee, which I didn't love. It was watery and not really my thing. My boyfriend got a pineapple juice, though, and he really enjoyed it. Our server, Kylar, let us know that most of the portions are shareable, so we ordered a few things to split. First up was the avocado hummus, which had a nice balance of sweet and spicy from the peppers. It was super flavorful and served with warm, fluffy pita bread that was quartered, lightly buttered, and perfectly seasoned. Next, we had the khachapuri, a Georgian bread boat filled with cheese and a poached egg. It came with a marinara-style sauce and a tahini sauce. It was buttery, rich, and very indulgent--definitely meant for sharing, and one of the best things we tried. We also ordered the brussels sprouts, which were delicious and topped with nuts for extra texture. They were nicely crisped and flavorful, though maybe just a bit heavy when paired with everything else we had. Overall, the food and service were both excellent. Aba turned out to be a hidden brunch gem. Since most people don't associate Mediterranean cuisine with brunch, it wasn't overcrowded like the more obvious spots nearby. It ended up being a great decision and a really enjoyable experience. read more

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Salmon skewers, feta were the best. Issue with falafel over deep fried so hard shell. Pistachio Panna Cotta was watery, not properly set or not enough gelatin. read more

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We went for Saturday brunch. The atmosphere is trendy yet romantic. Food is tasty, flavorful. It's definitely on the pricier side, but the ambiance and quality make it worth it. read more

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I had an amazing meal at Aba. On a Wednesday night it was pretty crowded - I heard that it can be packed on the weekends. It has a cool layout and seems to be a large footprint, with a choice of outdoors or indoors, and three bar areas and a lower step down dining area. I sat at the bar and my server took good care of me. I came to sample a bunch of different items. I started with the charred eggplant, whipped feta, muhammara, and chilled cucumbers - they were all excellent, served with a thicker, warmed pita. I also has the shawarma spiced prime skirt steak frites, which was really fantastic. I had planned to take 1/2 of it home for the next day, but I couldn't help finishing it. The fries sprinkled with feta were also excellent! I recommend the shawarma if you're in the mood for beef. I also ordered the cauliflower to continuing dipping into the spreads. All in all, a great experience - I highly recommend for mediterranean. read more

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Beautiful space and service, terrible, terrible food. We tried hummus, Greek village salad, falafel, two chicken dishes and one lamb, you know Mediterranean food. Overcooked, unsalted, just terrible food for two with a bill over $350. read more