There's a "to let" sign in the window - unless I saw this wrong Was looking to have a grilled snapper !!
BBQfanatic
Terrific Mediterranean/Persian food in a comfortable atmosphere. Service was friendly, helpful with explaining the unknowns, and prompt. We sat outside, the location is closer to the lake, so dress appropriately for the weather. Inside is clean, a bit dated, but who cares as long as the food and service are great. I'll be back for sure! App: hummus - creamy, awesome! Soup: Lentil - it's vegan, but not a concern of mine. - So good! Dinners split with my wife: Red Snapper, whole - Awesome! If you like fish, you'll love it. Fresh Red Snapper broiled and topped with garlic herbs and spices Served with sautéed vegetables, roasted potatoes, and marinated red cabbage on the side. Couscous Beef Brochette: Very good. Grilled brochettes of lamb, marinated with herbs and spices, served with organic spinach, sautéed vegetables and couscous topped with an aromatic sauce. Glad to see a family operated restaurant doing it right! I'll be back.
Zahra Parnianpour
Wasn’t expecting to find Persian food and was pleasantly surprised ?
Mike L.
Worst food I have ever eaten. The meal was basically unbeatable. The meat (lamb?) was awful. I am a regular at Pita Inn and Kabul House. This is nothing close to those awesome establishments. We literally tossed the food out and ordered Chinese. Avoid this place. Take the extra 20 min and drive to Pita Inn.
Charles P
Wow, what a gem! We were visiting relatives near here and had taken the train in from Chicago. We were looking for a good place to eat and we love Mediterranean food, so we decided to give this restaurant a try. Again, wow! We live in South Florida and have access to several Mediterranean restaurants in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale that we've eaten at; this place is as good as the best and is better than several. The staff is very polite and professional, and the owner is a delight to talk to. (For us the mark of a good restaurant is when the owner/manager walks the floor and actually speaks with the customers to see how the dining experience was) If you like Mediterranean food you have to give this restaurant a try.
Clearly they are understaffed or something. We truly wanted to like the restaurant , and they were nice but the service was haphazard ( wrong orders, not coming to the table in a reasonable timeframe, having to ready for drinks and apps). The food was not good- fish was pan seared and there was flour that could be tasted on the top of it , and the other meals were not good at all. I had planned to try it with an out of town guest and I was very disappointed . That said, I know the pandemic has been difficult on restaurants so I hope this restaurant can iron out their issues.
JackK
For our 1st post-pandemic date-night dinner, we decided to try Phoenicia and loved it. For our 2nd, we came back - because the food is memorably fantastic! The kabobs are amazing, especially the kafta (the lamb and chicken versions also great). Last night I tried the hummus with shawarma, and it was a revelation. Fresh, homemade hummus like I've never experienced before! Portion sizes are large, but that has just meant takeout for a superb lunch the next day. The chef, Fay, makes everything fresh, and it makes a huge difference. Next time, my wife and I will probably share a fresh fish dish, because they look and smelll great. Refreshingly quiet room, eclectic decor, and a homey, relaxed service style. Easy, free parking right across the street, too.
Deena S.
Food was wonderful. Service was horrific. There were only two tables with people in the restaurant While we were waiting to Order the waiter was outside watering the plants Hopefully when people start coming back they can hire more people.
I5328XMpatriklise
We went with a party of six. Not very busy but pandemic in Illinois is still prevalent Mist had soup, very thick and pasty lentil, entrees were bronzing, but fried and well done. My wife’s shrimp and couscous was cold and not memorable small amount of shrimp my friends seafood and shrimp was very good to him Would we come back questionable it was more Middle East than Mediterranean
Foodiesgalore
Chef owner was outstanding. Accommodated vegan, no oil requirements and food was delicious. Fesenjoon was so good I licked the plate, well not quite but I would have. I'd pay good money for the recipe for her lentil soup with a dollop of carrot puree, too. Definitely going back!! Everyone enjoyed their food from the fattoush salad with grilled salmon to the curry and also vegetable couscous. You can't go wrong.
Great food! I ordered take out for a family dinner and everything was absolutely delicious!
John P.
We had been looking to visit for some time, as my wife and I both love Mediterranean food. Well, let me say, we were underwhelmed. It was ok. Just ok. Don't come for lunch, as they DON'T have lunch portions; everything is $25 or more. I guess you can share, assuming you both like the same thing. Only 3 tables were occupied, and service was still on the slow side. Oh well. Food was ok. For half the price I've had better. Won't be back, but we gave it a try.
vladaginzburg
Absolutely the worst dinner we had in a very long time. Cheese pie was green. Kids were eating it and couldn’t understand the strange taste. My husband tried it and realized it’s spoiled cheese that turned green!!! We sent it back and in return they brought out cheese pie that was cold and not defrosted enough. Cheese wasn’t melted. 1 of the main courses was cold as in not warmed up after being refrigerated. The other food had no flavor. Soup was really good but didn’t make up for spoiled and cold dishes. Stay away!
Db Bd
We absolutely love this place! Great atmosphere, the most welcoming owners and delicious food! We feel at home here and have been coming here for years. Oh, and ask for the REAL coffee!!!
ElsaD
Dinner last night was amazing!! Unique vegetarian dishes like one with walnuts and pomegranates. Service was exceptional and friendly. Baklava was out of this world - made with walnuts and cashews - will most definitely be back soon.
There's a "to let" sign in the window - unless I saw this wrong Was looking to have a grilled snapper !!
Terrific Mediterranean/Persian food in a comfortable atmosphere. Service was friendly, helpful with explaining the unknowns, and prompt. We sat outside, the location is closer to the lake, so dress appropriately for the weather. Inside is clean, a bit dated, but who cares as long as the food and service are great. I'll be back for sure! App: hummus - creamy, awesome! Soup: Lentil - it's vegan, but not a concern of mine. - So good! Dinners split with my wife: Red Snapper, whole - Awesome! If you like fish, you'll love it. Fresh Red Snapper broiled and topped with garlic herbs and spices Served with sautéed vegetables, roasted potatoes, and marinated red cabbage on the side. Couscous Beef Brochette: Very good. Grilled brochettes of lamb, marinated with herbs and spices, served with organic spinach, sautéed vegetables and couscous topped with an aromatic sauce. Glad to see a family operated restaurant doing it right! I'll be back.
Wasn’t expecting to find Persian food and was pleasantly surprised ?
Worst food I have ever eaten. The meal was basically unbeatable. The meat (lamb?) was awful. I am a regular at Pita Inn and Kabul House. This is nothing close to those awesome establishments. We literally tossed the food out and ordered Chinese. Avoid this place. Take the extra 20 min and drive to Pita Inn.
Wow, what a gem! We were visiting relatives near here and had taken the train in from Chicago. We were looking for a good place to eat and we love Mediterranean food, so we decided to give this restaurant a try. Again, wow! We live in South Florida and have access to several Mediterranean restaurants in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale that we've eaten at; this place is as good as the best and is better than several. The staff is very polite and professional, and the owner is a delight to talk to. (For us the mark of a good restaurant is when the owner/manager walks the floor and actually speaks with the customers to see how the dining experience was) If you like Mediterranean food you have to give this restaurant a try.
Clearly they are understaffed or something. We truly wanted to like the restaurant , and they were nice but the service was haphazard ( wrong orders, not coming to the table in a reasonable timeframe, having to ready for drinks and apps). The food was not good- fish was pan seared and there was flour that could be tasted on the top of it , and the other meals were not good at all. I had planned to try it with an out of town guest and I was very disappointed . That said, I know the pandemic has been difficult on restaurants so I hope this restaurant can iron out their issues.
For our 1st post-pandemic date-night dinner, we decided to try Phoenicia and loved it. For our 2nd, we came back - because the food is memorably fantastic! The kabobs are amazing, especially the kafta (the lamb and chicken versions also great). Last night I tried the hummus with shawarma, and it was a revelation. Fresh, homemade hummus like I've never experienced before! Portion sizes are large, but that has just meant takeout for a superb lunch the next day. The chef, Fay, makes everything fresh, and it makes a huge difference. Next time, my wife and I will probably share a fresh fish dish, because they look and smelll great. Refreshingly quiet room, eclectic decor, and a homey, relaxed service style. Easy, free parking right across the street, too.
Food was wonderful. Service was horrific. There were only two tables with people in the restaurant While we were waiting to Order the waiter was outside watering the plants Hopefully when people start coming back they can hire more people.
We went with a party of six. Not very busy but pandemic in Illinois is still prevalent Mist had soup, very thick and pasty lentil, entrees were bronzing, but fried and well done. My wife’s shrimp and couscous was cold and not memorable small amount of shrimp my friends seafood and shrimp was very good to him Would we come back questionable it was more Middle East than Mediterranean
Chef owner was outstanding. Accommodated vegan, no oil requirements and food was delicious. Fesenjoon was so good I licked the plate, well not quite but I would have. I'd pay good money for the recipe for her lentil soup with a dollop of carrot puree, too. Definitely going back!! Everyone enjoyed their food from the fattoush salad with grilled salmon to the curry and also vegetable couscous. You can't go wrong.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food! I ordered take out for a family dinner and everything was absolutely delicious!
We had been looking to visit for some time, as my wife and I both love Mediterranean food. Well, let me say, we were underwhelmed. It was ok. Just ok. Don't come for lunch, as they DON'T have lunch portions; everything is $25 or more. I guess you can share, assuming you both like the same thing. Only 3 tables were occupied, and service was still on the slow side. Oh well. Food was ok. For half the price I've had better. Won't be back, but we gave it a try.
Absolutely the worst dinner we had in a very long time. Cheese pie was green. Kids were eating it and couldn’t understand the strange taste. My husband tried it and realized it’s spoiled cheese that turned green!!! We sent it back and in return they brought out cheese pie that was cold and not defrosted enough. Cheese wasn’t melted. 1 of the main courses was cold as in not warmed up after being refrigerated. The other food had no flavor. Soup was really good but didn’t make up for spoiled and cold dishes. Stay away!
We absolutely love this place! Great atmosphere, the most welcoming owners and delicious food! We feel at home here and have been coming here for years. Oh, and ask for the REAL coffee!!!
Dinner last night was amazing!! Unique vegetarian dishes like one with walnuts and pomegranates. Service was exceptional and friendly. Baklava was out of this world - made with walnuts and cashews - will most definitely be back soon.