I had come to visit Santa Barbara with family and was hoping to try out this restaurant during our stay, as it came highly recommended by local friends. Unfortunately, the whole restaurant was booked out for a private event the only evening we had available. Thankfully, they were still taking takeout orders. They were a bit busy with the private event, and so they had forgotten to give us one of our bags of food (which we didn't realize was missing until we got back to our hotel), but the staff made up for it by delivering the remainder of our food to us! The food was very tasty and the service was top notch. I would love to return if I'm ever back in Santa Barbara. read more

From the moment you walk through the entrance, the restaurant feels like a hidden sanctuary tucked away from the bustle of downtown. The greenery, courtyard setting, and relaxed atmosphere make it an enjoyable place to settle in and enjoy a meal. I ordered the Mashawi Combo, which included lamb, beef, and chicken. All three meats were cooked nicely, with each offering its own distinct flavor and texture. My favorite was the beef because it had a satisfying char. It's a great option if you're having trouble deciding between proteins and want to sample a little bit of everything. What really elevated the meal were the accompanying spreads and sides. The baba ghannouj was smoky and creamy, while the garlic sauce added a rich punch of flavor to the grilled meats. The hummus was smooth, and the tabbouli provided bright, herbaceous contrast that balanced the heavier elements of the meal. One of the highlights for me was the pistachio spread. It was refreshingly different from the usual mezze offerings and paired wonderfully with the warm bread. The addition of pomegranate seeds also brought a burst of sweetness and acidity that made each bit refreshing. The only minor drawback was some confusion regarding my reservation because they couldn't find it even though I called, which created a bit of uncertainty at the start of the evening. Fortunately, the staff handled the situation professionally and remained attentive throughout the meal. Overall, it was a satisfying dining experience with a chill ambiance. read more

Zaytoon - Pistachio Spread - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Can't believe I've been eating in Santa Barbara for so long without trying Zaytoon! The outdoor seating feels very much like a secret garden. Our waitress was lovely and helped make sure our food got out on time since we had a bit of a time constraint. I ordered the Beef Shawarma with Rice and it was tender and juicy, I actually inhaled the whole plate. We also ordered baklava for dessert, but I didn't even get to take any photos before it was eaten. Overall, solid food and really nice ambiance! read more

Zaytoon - Beef Shawarma with Rice, Lentil Soup, Grape Leaves, Chicken Kebab - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

First time visiting, such a cute restaurant with nice outdoor seating. It's cooler in the main seating area with fire pits, the covered area was actually warmer on a hot day with less breeze. They had delicious food & friendly service. My favorite was the Halloumi Cheese (sheep's cheese with watermelon & cucumber). The salty cheese went well with the sweet watermelon. We enjoyed the homemade pita bread & veggie sticks with hummus. The Mahi Mahi was super tender. The Kebab Combo came with lamb, chicken & beef. The lamb & beef were tender but the chicken was a little dry. Both entrees came with salad & rice. The watermelon juice was good but small with no refills. Make sure you make reservations, it gets packed, there was a lot of people waiting outside. They don't have a parking lot so you'll have to look for street parking. Overall we had a great experience. read more

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Not only is this place the best Mediterranean place in SB, but it's also the tops I've ever had in my life anywhere...including the Mediterranean. Everyone I bring here also instantly loves it and asks to go back. Make sure to have reservations as they get busy very quickly. read more

This place is so beautiful! Hidden along East Canon Perdido Street, with gorgeous greenery and warm string lights leading you up the stairs, it opens into a lovely courtyard with tables and chairs. Every host/waiter/staff was so kind and helpful, with one of them even offering to take our picture when he saw us struggling to do a group shot (he said he does photography on the side!). The food was absolutely delicious, and my strawberry lemonade was so pretty (and yummy)! My friends and I had a truly wonderful time here and I can't wait to come back! read more

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This place had great ambiance in SB - a spot known for ambience. The gorgeous waitress/hostess set you down by beautiful plants / table vibes providing excellent service. Food was high tear kabobs or I wouldnt make the review. Im arab so i know my stuff read more

Zaytoon - Kabob - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

This restaurant is fully outdoors, there are heaters throughout but you may want to bring a jacket in case! But walking in the restaurant you are welcomed with some amazing lights and it sets the tone for great vibe for the whole night. The waiters were all super friendly. To start, we ordered the trio mezza which included hummus, baba ghannouj, and pistachio spread - you can go wrong with these, they all tasted delicious and it's a good choice when you can't choose just one mezza. For entrees we ordered the chicken kebab and kebab combo - very tasty! The chicken was juicy, the other meats were all cooked to perfection in my book! And we ended our night with baklava and you can never go wrong with this! Will definitely come back soon to enjoy the lights and food of this place! read more

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What can I say about this restaurant. Five star in my opinion. First time visiting this place and it was exquisite. We arrived on a Friday night and they were kind enough to find us a table without reservation (I would still recommend reserving for the weekend). Customer service A plus. Ambiance was so beautiful, we felt we entered another dimension with the patio seating. We ordered Falafel, Baba Ghannouj Chicken Kabobs and Pita Bread. For a cocktail I had a tequila based one called Standard. Everything was made to perfection and fresh. Timing between entrees was perfectly calculated. We were seated like in a private terrace which we loved. read more

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one of our all time favorite places ever since our UCSB undergrad days c/o 2010 16 years later, zaytoons is just as beautiful, enchanting, magical, and delicious. absolutely savored our juicy kebab combo of lamb, beef, chicken, rice, salad, and garlic paste along with baklava dessert. karina was lovely and amazing, kind, prompt, professional, thoughtful, and attentive. excellent to meet another fabulous UCSB student. our love about this gem of a place is the romantic whimsy vibes of fire pit tables, fountains, lights, abundance of plants. in the future, would appreciate more diary free and gluten free options. thank you for continuing to be one of our all time happy places in santa barbara. a must. read more

Zaytoon - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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This place is a hidden gem in Santa Barbara. The food was so great. The staff was amazing.

Zaytoon *December 13th, 2025 *6pm- Saturday *5 Stars Environment: *Indoor and Outdoor Seating *Quick Service *Pleasant and Friendly Staff *Beautiful Ambiance Food/Drink: *Chicken Kebab (with rice pilaf and fattoush salad) *Beef Shawarma (with rice pilaf and fattoush salad) *Mahi Mahi (with rice pilaf and fattoush salad) *Duvel Belgian Blond Food here was excellent! We ordered the chicken kebab, beef shawarma, and mahi mahi, and all of the proteins were cooked to perfection. Our group was especially impressive since, chicken and mahi mahi are tricky to cook and can sometimes easily be overcooked. The chicken and mahi mahi were both juicy and flavorful, and the beef shawarma was tender without being dry. The ambiance really elevated the experience. We sat outside and enjoyed the propane fireplace, which was a great touch on a cold Santa Barbara night. The setting felt warm and inviting, and the staff was pleasant and friendly throughout the evening. One small thing to note is to be mindful of where you're seated outdoors, as the wind can occasionally cause a slight gas smell near the fireplace. Overall, a fantastic meal with great food, atmosphere, and service. Definitely a spot I'd return to next time I'm in the area! read more

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Beautiful Lebanese restaurant in Santa Barbara! My son recently moved to the area and has been wanting to try this place. Being Palestinian, I'm super picky when it comes to Arabic food -- but Zaytoon delivered and did not disappoint. We started with the hummus, grape leaves, and tabbouleh. Everything was fresh and delicious. My only critique: the hummus doesn't come with bread, so you have to order it separately. For our mains, we had the beef and chicken kabobs, both tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Next time, I'd love to come on a weekend and with a bigger group. They have tables with fire pits that make for a beautiful, cozy evening atmosphere. read more

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I love this place! The food is second to none...if you like this kind of cuisine. Just go and enjoy! All seating is outdoors so don't expect to go on a rainy day. read more

I've been to Zaytoon twice now and each time has been fantastic. To be fair, the second time was for a friend's wedding and that already makes it special. They were both such different experiences, so I'll post about them separately. As a regular guest: We were seated on the patio and our waiter was very helpful in helping us decide what to order. We definitely managed to order too much still, but everything was delicious. The seating areas were very cute, I love elegant backyard vibe of the entire place. As a wedding guest: Everything was prepared well, about half the restaurant was sectioned off with plants and you could barely tell there was an entire restaurant on the other side! They kept the food rolling and cleared and combined as needed without disrupting conversations. They did a fantastic job and I would recommend Zaytoon for similar events. Especially the cheese rolls and the potatos! read more

Zaytoon - Hummus trio and batatas - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

When we booked we were unaware that it is all community seating. We were unsure on how this would go when we arrived but it wasn't as awkward as we thought. It still felt private and the wait staff made sure to attend to you separately. The vibes were chill with really great music going. Every dish we had was flavorful and perfect to share. The cocktail that I had was really good and not overwhelming. Would return if we are ever in the area again. read more

Zaytoon - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Went with a large party of 13 to celebrate our friends birthday. It was evening time and the ambiance was very nice. We walked up a few stairs that led us to the outdoor patio. I did not notice an ADA setup. The weather was nice and there was a fire place in the middle of the table that kept us warm. They had two bathrooms with one stall in each. overall the establishment was very nice. We were split amongst two tables that were right next to each other. I had the beef kabobs. They were served rare to medium rare. I did not know they would be served in that way. Next time I would ask for well done. We also ordered the hummus trio. I also had a lemon drop that was yummy. We told them that it was someone's birthday and brought our multiple mini cakes for everyone to try. This is not complimentary. In fact, anything you order is a la carte. For example, my friend wanted something spicy to add to her meal and asked for one jalapeño. The one jalapeño totaled at $3. So please be aware that anything and everything you ask for comes with a price. I will be coming back! The serving staff were very kind and patient. read more

This is an absolutely beautiful outdoor restaurant. There is no signage outside, so you need to know where it is, but parking on the street was plentiful when we went on a Saturday. The food was mostly amazing. We started with the Batata Harra, which may have been my favorite portion of the meal. The potatoes were crisp and had a wonderful flavor profile with a strong lemon taste. So delicious. For dinner I tried the Mashawi Combo and all of it was great. I liked the lamb in particular. My wife had the Lemon Chicken, which was tough in texture. I think I'd recommend skipping that one, not the best. In terms of service, everyone was friendly. The pace of service was quite relaxed, which was fine for us on this day, but plan accordingly. All in all, a great place to enjoy the beautiful Santa Barbara weather for a special occasion. read more

Zaytoon - Batata Harra - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

A friend and I came to Zaytoon tonight for dinner. We made a reservation ahead of time, which I recommend because it was BUSY! The server was very professional and kind to us. The food was prepared promptly and tasted delicious! We both got the watermelon martinis, super fresh and yummy. We split the Baba ghanoush and Pistachio, pomegranate, cheese dish for appetizers. Great spices and flavor. I got the beef kabob and it was cooked perfectly, right about medium, super juicy and tons of flavor. To add the tzakisi sauce was an extra $7. I felt that was a little overpriced and wished it just came with it. Then we got the phylo crema for dessert. It was crunchy and sweet. Loved it. Lastly the ambiance and decor is lovely. Lights and beautiful greenery all around, felt like we were somewhere far away! read more

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4/5 - the ambiance was good. It's a very pretty restaurant. That's where the compliments for this establishment end. 0/5 - the service was horrible. #1 We were ordering drinks, one of my friends ordered her drink and the waitress entered it into her iPad. Approximately 3 seconds later my friend asked the waitress if she could change her drink order. The waitress responded, verbatim, "no you can't change it I sent it into the system, next time make sure everyone knows their order". #2 they have two hot sauce options, a red chili oil and a green spicy thicker sauce. I pulled the waitress aside and asked her what was the green sauce made of because I have a mild cilantro allergy. She says, "oh no cilantro". My girlfriend, friend, and sisters all heard her say this because they like to make fun of my disdain for cilantro. Fast forward 20 minutes and the food comes out. The sauce is pure cilantro. Barf. Luckily I didn't end up in urgent care or this was lawsuit worthy. 2/5 Food quality - food was okay. Definitely not worth the $800 dollar bill. Everything was pretty standard, no real major complaints but I would stay away from the lamb kebabs. They had a weird after taste, very chewy, and pretty bland. The lamb chops were actually really good. I honestly very rarely leave bad reviews if you look at the reviews I've made on here but this one really stood out to me as a bad experience. The service and the ineptitude of our waitress to know there was cilantro in a sauce and her unwillingness at first to change a drink order was unacceptable at a place of this price point. Maybe it was because the "service charge" was already included in the bill and she didn't really care about how she was tipped? I dunno. But I wouldn't recommend anyone spend their hard earned money here. Sorry read more

Per Yelp this place is rated as $$, but I would definitely make a correction for $$$. Ordered shawarma plate, it's was just ok, a bit on a dryer end. Definitely, is not made by skilled shawarma maker and cook. Tried their hummus - ok ( trader joe???) baba ghanoush - very good and memorable and tzatziki - ok ( Safeway Greek yogurt?) Interior is beautiful but food lacking flavor and for that price! Service is fast and respectful. read more

Zaytoon - Hummus, tsatski and baba ghanoush - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We arrived on time for our reservation. We were there to celebrate my daughters birthday. The hostess could not find our reservation. I had called to make it because their online reservations were not available. The hostess accommodated us by seating on the outskirts of the restaurant...literally at the back of the restaurant in a small corner. It was laughable. Eventually, the waitress came over and asked if our last name was so and so...I said YES...she sighed and said "ok good". Our waiter looked like he hated his job. Not pleasant at all. And when we were leaving, we left a CASH tip. The waiter literally stood there and counted it in front of us. I was floored!!! My daughter is a server and I told her about our experience and she said "you should have taken back the tip"!! I was extremely disappointed with our whole experience!! read more

I absolutely love Zaytoon. I've been here several times throughout the years when we're in Santa Barbara. We love to visit as a family. If you can get a table if your party is large enough, that has the fire pit in the middle. It's a real treat. the food is absolutely great and I love their desserts. read more

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The ambiance is pretty/nice, but overall NOT WORTH IT. Service was subpar - waitress wouldn't let me change my drink order even though I told her I changed my mind literally 1 minute after I told her. She said "I can't now, I already submitted it into the kitchen". And then after she said "next time know what you're going to order before it's finalized".... Felt like I was a child being scolded. Mind you, she never even disclaimed that I couldn't change my order once I said it aloud. Wild. Food also very mid. Beef kebab needed sauce.. which is charges an extra $4 a saucer. Meat was dry and tough. read more

OMG! Just when I thought I had tried all variations of Mediterranean cuisine, I was absolutely blown away by Zaytoon. From the moment one enters the space, which is outdoors with lots of foliage and subtle lighting that creates the ambience, it feels like you are in for a special experience which it was. Everything from the mezza to the shockingly good gluten free chocolate cake for dessert, was outstanding and special. The quality of ingredients and attention to detail really shines through. The kebab combo plate allows one to try all three of their meats - beef, lamb and chicken ((I preferred the latter two) - which anchor the menu but there are also unexpected standouts like the salmon with (not heavy) basil cream dish. Even the pita bread, which seems to have been freshly baked, has a different taste and texture than I have had anywhere else. I was so enthralled that I forgot to take pics until mid meal - they don't do the restaurant justice ... trust me. Our server was friendly, informative and attentive although she initially appeared to have too many tables in her section. There are lots of great dining options in SB - on the first try, Zaytoon soared to the top of the list. I would even drive there from LA and back in one night if I am fortunate enough to spontaneously snag one of the highly coveted reservations. It's that good! read more

Zaytoon - Kebab combo - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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First time eating here and it did not disappoint! Had a reservation and we were promptly seating at the warm fireplace tables. the ambiance is so cute with all the fairy lights and plants. we ordered a bunch of different foods, including different appetizers and entrées. EVERYTHING WAS SO SO GOOD! We were dying over the Halloumi Cheese we ordered it as an appetizer and then again later on in our meal because we all wanted more. And don't even get me started on the Forever nuts decaf tea!! this is the best tea i've ever had in my LIFE. Our waitress was also super sweet and nice I wish i got her name. anyways all of the flavors just hit every note and i can definitely say that if you eat here you will be coming back! read more

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The ambiance here is absolutely stunning, and the service was decent--the manager was friendly and attentive throughout our meal. However, the experience felt a bit underwhelming for such a very expensive price tag. The Food & Drinks: Pita Bread: A disappointment; it lacked the soft, hot moist texture you expect and honestly felt like it came out of a bag. Hummus: Just okay--nothing to write home about. Beef Shawarma: This was the highlight of the meal; it was actually good. Alcohol: Be warned--the markups are intense. They really gouge you on drink prices, so you might want to skip the cocktails. The Experience: The "cool factor" has dipped a bit since they stopped offering hookahs, and since there were no belly dancers during our visit (maybe we were just too early?), the entertainment was lacking. Also, keep in mind that you must be in a large group if you want to snag one of those coveted fire pit tables. The Verdict: Go for the views and the relaxed vibe, but manage your expectations on the value for the price. read more

This was an amazing addition to our Santa Babara trip and a beautiful Lebanese restaurant in general! We are so glad to have visited this restaurant and had the opportunity to taste such great quality Lebanese food. We ordered a Mashawi Combo and Kebab Combo and it was more than enough for the two of us. With plenty of spreads, rice, and salad to go around, we were delighted to eat the tender meat in their very pretty outdoor garden area! Despite the dropping cold temps in December, this whole area was lit up with plenty of heat lamps and very pretty string lights and fixtures, brightening the whole garden at all times. Would definitely consider adding this to your Santa Barbara restaurant list! read more

Zaytoon in Santa Barbara is basically the best restaurant in town. The most fresh Mediterranean style food will leave your table overflowing. The most delicious lamb, chicken and beef head with delicious vegetables will leave you stuffed and satisfied. The dessert was so good. It was a little bit heavy on the sugar in the paklava, the ice cream was good, but the pistachios complicated the pallet a little bit too much. I feel like it would be better if regular pistachio ice cream was used instead and the berries were yummy and sweet. I was seated outdoors on the patio. The weather was cool and temperate, then when the time came for dessert, my server turned on fireplace, which added some warm and comfort to the dining experience. The service is very nice and attentive. Despite the restaurant being busy my meal was enjoyable and my food was absolutely delicious... so good I over ate. read more

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What a gem of a place! Everything we ordered was fantastic. NA cocktails are delicious and the food is something that I often think about many months later. If you are in Santa Barbara, you have to try this place. Make reservations in advance read more

excellent food and big portions BUT: 1. they charged extra for pita bread? really? how is on supposed to eat the hummus or other dishes like that? 2. charged for a few vegetable sticks that we didn't order but which they placed on our table. ate dinner with friends and didn't want to be petty and complain about bill to them or to restaurant, so paid, but found these "add-ons" rather unusual. read more

Zaytoon has been a favorite SB staple for over 25 years. The food is absolutely delicious and full of bold flavors! My favorite is the lemon chicken, the kebabs and the garlic spread along with the hummus and falafel appetizers. The drinks are super yummy, the service is always warm and friendly, the ambiance is one of the best in SB, with their gorgeous outdoor patio fountain in the middle, fire pit tables, twinkle lights for romance and charm and often a love guitarist to set the mood. We come here at least once a month for date night of with groups of friends. Be back soon! read more

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I came here with my husband for the first time as my brother really enjoys this place. I wasn't really impressed, I really enjoy Middle Eastern food, but this wouldn't be on my list. Their prices are very high for the food that you get and did not feel that flavor was as good as other Middle Eastern places. The place is really beautiful, they open at 5 PM and it's outdoor seating. read more

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Let's start with service...beyond spectacular! Drinks were unique and amazing. Then there's the food. We ordered a bunch of dishes. From fresh pita to grilled chicken and lamb. It would be impossible to pick a favorite. On a warm summers eve, their patio is magical. Zaytoon is incredible!!! read more

We went here for a wedding and they told us the story that they randomly checked out this place and ate in a corner several months before the wedding and decided right then that the food, the service, and the ambience, was enough to have the wedding after-party at their establishment. I will agree that the food was amazing and the atmosphere was absolutely romantic and intimate. The service was quick and responsible. My only issue, and I think it's kind of funny, is that they don't have a sign at the front so it does feel exclusive and I had to ask the front clerk if this is the correct place to be. :) read more

Zaytoon - Salud to the new couple! - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Beautiful outdoor dining area. Service was great. I went in with no reservation and was greeted and seated promptly. My server made great recommendations and returned frequently to check on me. My food came out timely and was delicious. In fact, I decided to order extra items to go for lunch the next day. As a vegan, I had a good selection of options. The Lentil Soup was delicious. I also enjoyed the Vegetarian Choice. I highly recommend making Zaytoon one of your stops, if you're in the area. read more

Food, drinks, service and ambiance were all a 10/10! We will definitely be returning to this beautiful restaurant! Beef kebabs (entree) and beef sambosik (appetizer) were our favorite !!! read more

Zaytoon - Amazing appetizers - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Came here around 5:30 for a party of 10 without reservation. Got seated in 5-10 minutes. All the seating is outside. It was a bit windy so the fire pit warmed us up. They also provided blankets to keep us warm. The food came out in 10-20 minutes. My mixed shawarma plate was super delicious. The salad was delicious as well along with the rice. I also tried some meat from the mashawi combo and it was super tender. The pita bread was good with the spicy tzatziki. Overall it was a delicious place with a cozy fireside ambience. Service was also great. read more

Zaytoon - Mixed shawarma plate - Lebanese Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

They squeezed us in without reservations on a Saturday night, which was super nice! The staff was friendly and attentive. Food was really good, I just wish for the $$$ we were paying there would be a bit more on the appetizer plates (we tried the mixed appetizer platter). Would definitely come back to try more of the menu, and the ambiance was beautiful - very romantic and special. read more

Second time here. First time a few years ago, we loved it. This time not so much. Had an early resy at 5pm since we had theater tickets a 5 minute walk away. Food and service was lacking. Our waitress was friendly enough and we ordered drinks and the vegetarian feast for appetizer for our group of 6 and a fattoush salad to share. Roasted potatoes for one in our group who prefers not to share. Lamb kebab combo, salmon with cream, chicken kebab combo and a salad topped with chicken. The vegetarian feast which had Hummus, baba ghannouj, falafel, cheese sambosik, pistachio spread, and tabbouli came out in many separate dishes as expected but kind of thrown down on the table by other waitstaff. We were on one of their beautiful fire pit tables outside and all the dishes ended up on one side of the table. Awkward to have to pass every dish to others who had nothing. Pita, Hummus and Baba Ghannouj were decent. Everything else lacked flavor. The salad was something I could make at home. Thank goodness one person ordered a watermelon salad which he shared. It was delicious. Our mains came out and once again brought by other waitstaff who had no idea who ordered what. I corrected them with the first dish but they only moved the dish one over and not to the person I told them. Maybe not paying attention? We finally got everyone's dishes on the table. Lamb kebab and chicken kebab combos reported as good. Salmon (3 of us ordered) was swimming in the sauce and was a thin piece. Sauce had to make up for dryness. The salad with chicken was some chopped lettuce with chicken thrown on top. No effort for any type of nice presentation. We were going to the theater so left once we were finished. No doggie bag desired. After the theater we commented on dinner. Only two out of 6 of us liked their entrees. We all agreed the service lacked professionalism and food plating minimal. It was not crowded yet at that early hour so we had plenty of waitstaff. There just wasn't any attention paid or instruction on who got what before throwing down the plates. Please do better as I know you can. Don't think we'll be back to find out. read more