Ali Baba's Terrace

02/09/12

Bad PR/customer relations, food

by Foodtrip2012 at Citysearch

Again, just like the nearby Bi Lokma (another Turkish restaurant on 45th St), Ali Baba's Terrace on 46 St and 2nd Ave is also noted for its bad public/customer relations. In my experience, they refused to give us a good table despite the fact there were too many empty tables at that time. The manager claimed that the other tables were reserved, although there were no visible signs to prove that. One of my friends was quite vocal about it, so the manager was forced to give us a quiet corner. The servers became extra nice and I guess, the manager also got scared -- that he offered that the next time we have difficulty being seated to call his attention. Of course, we gave him a lecture about respecting diversity especially the restaurant is very close to the UN and he should expect different types of people to walk-in and that he should treat all customers in the same way. In any case, I would not recommend this Turkish restaurant. There are better places in midtown Manhattan.

11/04/11

MANAGER ABRUPTLY DEMANDS A 20% TIP!

by RubyFiraz at Citysearch

MANAGER ABRUPTLY DEMANDED A 20% TIP. I had been here with my husband twice before and had enjoyed the good food, fast service and great ambiance. We always tip 10-15% tip everywhere in Manhattan and never faced any problems.

This place HAD become a favorite place for us and so when my parents visited from London we took them (we were a party of 4) and after enjoying a $150 meal, my father said it was his treat and happily he asked for the check. (My father is from UK where 'tipping' is not as big as here and its normal to tip as much as you feel comfortable because a 'tip' is meant to be VOLUNTARY)

So he added $15 (10%) to the bill and complimented the food to our server who appeared as to be the manager. This guy is a typical Turkich guy who was extremely nice throughout our meal, but as soon as my father handed the check back, he was so quick to open it and see how much he had tipped, and to my complete shock and disgust he abruptly said 'we have a 20% tip policy' IT WAS SO RUDE. We were insulted and so caught off guard that i just added another $15 (totaling the tip to $30) and we left feeling so awful- it ruined a perfect dinner. THE TURKISH MANAGER IS A TYPICAL, RUDE, NASTY MAN- Spend your $$$$ elsewhere.

10/19/11

NOT ONLY ATMOSPHERE BUT ALSO THE FOOD

by hasan25 at Citysearch

i WAS FIRST AMAZED WITH THE BEAUTIFUL TERRACE ATMOSPHERE UNTIL I TEST THE DELICIOUS FOOD.UNBEATABLE MEAT DISHES WITH UNBEATABLE PRICES. tRY IT, YOU WONT REGRET.

09/20/09

Save yourself the trip.

by Food Critic at Citysearch

I ordered the Doner (Gyro Kebab) to go. When I got to eat the dish the meat was so dry and the bread was hard, on top of that there was no Tzatziki Yogurt Sauce. The only thing that made the meat even edible for me was mixing it with the rice. I am not even a big rice eater. This cost me $17 and I feel I wasted the money for this junk food no wonder it was so quiet inside there sitting area, BLAND food!

The Zagat must of been paid off by Ali Baba himself for the score they gave this place.. Out of a possible 30, Ali Baba grills up 22 for food, 14 for décor and 18 for service. A meal costs $31.

Save your money and go to Uskudar 1405 2nd Ave

New York, NY 10021(212) 988-2641

orderuskudarnyc com

This place is a lot smaller in size but I have been there 3 times and the food is the best, located on the UES!

• Pros: The rice was good.
• Cons: The meat was dry and the bread was hard. Came with no sauce

08/26/09

awful service!

by fablousnewyork at Citysearch

Beyond words..!! Awful service!!!! Went for lunch with a group of four. Tipped more than enough and the waiters came back furiously that we didn’t put enough!!! The foods were just OK, overpriced and small portion. A way too ridiculous service!!