Al Bustan

Doesn't Recommend

jamaicancurry

Joined 7 years ago

Rude Service, mediocre food. Save your money. I feel it is my duty, to review this restaurant.

On the outside, it looks ok. The decor inside is also ok.

So on arriving, we were met with a surly older man, who took his time getting to us. We were a little surprised that there were so many empty tables. We informed the waiter that we had a Living Social deal- which he didn't seem too happy about. It was then that another man with an iPad made an appearance to take our Living Social number. I cannot understand why they would bother to offer deals on sites like Living Social if they are so loathe to honour them.

Anyway, Ol' Surly brought the menus and acted so annoyed when we were ordering. Then he disappeared. He did not return to check if we needed anything or to refill our water. We initially wanted dessert but after being unable to find him, we decided not to bother.

Here's the best part. We ask for the cheque. He stands over us as we're leaving the tip. We decided based on the rude and infrequent service we would only tip 15%. He informed is that we had to tip 20%. My bf refused, citing the waiter's rudeness. The waiter then says with disgust

"F-- you and your Living Social"

This pissed us off because we had not been rude to him. He then proceeds to call my bf an A-hole. After which they trade a couple F-bombs while we're walking out. I'm surprised and confused because I have never been treated like this -anywhere!

Then he charges at us! And another waiter starts to hold him back. At this point I'm laughing at how utterly ridiculous this is. This old man is so big and bad that he wanted to physically attack us?! I kinda wanted him to hit my bf so I could call the cops, but I don't think the bf would have just stood there and taken a hit.

Take your money elsewhere. The food is not worth the abuse.

Doesn't Recommend

anitavelu

Joined 2 years ago

Absolutely horrible place!!!!. Absolutely one of the worst restaurants I have been to. I have never posted a restaurant review in my life but felt that this restaurant was so bad that I had to write something about it. First of all, the food was horrible and to top it off, the Maitre d' was extremely rude and obnoxious.

My husband and I had made a reservation with through VillageVines to have dinner with two other friends. First of all, the Maitre d' claimed that he didn't have our VillageVines reservation. He then reluctantly agreed after I showed him my confirmation email and reservation number from VillageVines.

We then ordered 5 tapas and 2 large plates and an expensive bottle of wine. Into our meal, the Maitre d' approaches us and informs us that we did not qualify for the VillageVines discount because we didn't order 4 entrees and their policy is that we needed to get one entree per person to be eligible for the discount. I tried to explain to him that I had booked numerous restaurants through VillageVines and never had a problem. And no restrictions were mentioned at the time I had made the reservation nor when I received the confirmation email. But he pretty much ignored what I said and walked away from me. Not only was I livid at him, I was embarrassed to be treated in such a manner in front of my friends. As I walked out of the restaurant, I told him that it was not fair how he had handled the whole situation. His answer was that he owned the place and he set the rules. Which is fine.....but don't post yourself on the VillageVines website and claim that you will be offering a 30% discount while I paid $10 to go to your restaurant to eat shitty food that was supposed to be discounted.

Please, do not go to this restaurant. I do not have a vested interest if you go or not, but I believe that it is my duty to warn everybody against this place. I have lived in this city for so many years...never have I come across a restaurant where the staff is so rude and obnoxious.

Recommends

Jwilkey1

Joined 3 years ago

New York's Most Authentic Lebanese Food!. Al Bustan restaurant on E 53rd Street in Midtown is home to one of the most beautiful dining rooms I have ever seen. As you walk in off the streets of Manhattan, the glass chandeliers make you feel as if you have fully entered an NYC fine dining experience.

I highly reccomend coming here in large groups on Saturday nights for some of the best live entertainment and mediterranean food around!

The restaurant is family run and the owner/executive chef strives to make sure each diner's experience is one worth remembering (and repeating!)

Definitely a Midtown restaurant worth stopping in to for lunch or dinner any day of the week!

They also have a beautiful private lounge for private parties and events!

Doesn't Recommend

coollavie84

Joined 3 years ago

Terrible. I was there last night with 5 of my friends for the intertainment. we were really over charged for the food (not that good), & drinks ( the worst drink ive ever had).

I DEF DONT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.

Recommends

Melanie Berliet

Joined 5 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Profile. A traditional Lebanese restaurant in Midtown East offers a prix fixe lunch special daily.

Recommends

CSMobileUser

Joined 5 years ago

Outstanding food and great service. Went for a quiet bite and turned into a great culinary experience. The ingredients are so fresh and the dishes were extremely flavorful. We ordered 5 appetizers between 2 of us and it gave us a great taste of lebanon. A must try!

Doesn't Recommend

Jet Setter

Joined 4 years ago

Al Bustan failed!. We chose Al Bustan for our Christmas' Eve dinner. Since the restaurant does not have a liquor license, we were informed at reservation to BYOB. Our group of 4 gourmands brought two bottles of wine and a bottle of champagne. Eli sat us at a nice table and immediately began to rush the appetizers, giving us very little time to enjoy the experience. The appetizers (good tabouleh and average hummus) were taken unfinished from the table without our consent and the main course arrived as if we were on a schedule...their schedule! The staff sat at the end of the room watching every bite and every move we made. The main courses (3 kaftas e 1 lamb chop) were served overcooked, dry and cold. We felt rushed to have our bottle of champagne when Eli told us we had 30 minutes to leave, because the "other table" had finished dinning and ours became the only table occupied, verbalized without any apology. At that point, we asked for the check. With the champagne bottle under the arm, we paid and left swearing to never return. We are stunned by their lack of consideration and appreciation. The $250 dinning nightmare lasted 90 minutes.

I suggest they revise their etiquette and hospitality guidelines, given the poor service presented and unsatisfactory food quality.

Our dinner will be remembered as a shame...shame on Al Bustan!

Recommends

aneosssss

Joined 4 years ago

great food and service. I loved this restaurant. Been waiting for them to open. It was wide open and spacious. The service was excellent and while the food was not inexpensive, the portions will very large. I will be back and recommend it for high quality fare.

Doesn't Recommend

gekko1982

Joined 6 years ago

Excellent, authentic food - but be prepared for rude, demeaning service. Overall: While this restaurant serves outstanding Lebanese cuisine, it does so with serious attitude. Also, note that the prices listed above ($16.95 - 19.95) are NOT accurate. All entrees are $20+ and appetizers are $7-9. Plan on spending about $45 per person for dinner.

Pros: Excellent, authentic food. All dishes are made in-house with super fresh ingredients. Outstanding appetizer selection.

Cons: The waiter we had ruined our experience. The waiter expected us to order at least one hot appetizer, one cold appetizer, one entree and one dessert EACH. He was extremely upset when we ordered two appetizers to share between two people, claiming that the appetizers were too small. In addition, the waiter did not like that we only ordered bottled Evian water to drink - he kept trying to take drink orders at every possible opportunity. Basically, he reminded us of a terrible salesman at a department store. The waiter is the only reason we will not be returning - yes, he made us that uncomfortable.

Recommends

nvermolen

Joined 7 years ago

Very authentic. Small restaurant, not very romantic but a great place to share typical Lebanese Mezes when with a company. They are not very cheap but the portions are OK. We tried the delivery and the same quality is served.