Mamlouk Restaurant

03/24/08

awful experience

by eatdrink15 at Citysearch

From the moment we sat down we were left with no options. We came with a group of 5 unaware there no options. When we asked for a menu, the waitress replied, "We just bring out the food." We had no options on what we wanted to eat. They said there would be a bellydancer at 9pm but we were there until 10pm and there was no bellydancer.... after the appetizers, we asked for the bill because we didn't know how much we would be charged or what type of foods we were going to get they said, "You'll be losing money." We told them to charge us for what we ordered and let us go. Eventually, after 20 minutes of asking for the bill we were allowed to leave....... I would never go there again. I don't think it's realistic to not know what you're going to get to eat..... Plus, the bellydancing is all a scam. There was no bellydancer.

• Pros: none

09/25/07

Great Hangout!

by missjavorka at Citysearch

After searching for good hookah in New York, this seemed like a good bet. My friends and I weren't disappointed! The tobacco was top-notch, and the two appetizers we ordered (stuffed grape leaves and cheese turnovers) were devoured in minutes. I loved the atmosphere and the music. The one thing that all of us noticed was somewhat poor service. Perhaps we just caught the waitress on an off-night, but once we had our hookah, no one came by to check on us for about an hour and we had to flag someone down to ask for a change of coals. Once we asked, it took another 10 minutes for someone to come do it! My friend and I ordered our appetizers at the same time and her stuffed grape leaves were brought and eaten... while I had to sit and wait an ADDITIONAL 20 minutes after they were gone before my turnovers arrived. We had to again flag someone down to bring our check. The wait-staff was pleasant, just not very attentive. Otherwise and very fun and relaxing evening.

• Pros: Very reasonable hookah price, great ambience
• Cons: Far from subway, wait-staff not very attentive

09/18/07

Great Middle Eastern food!

by uptownisis at Citysearch

This is a great place to meet up with friends or go on a date on. The food is soooo good!!! I loved the hummus, babaganoush, etc. platter. Come hungry because despite the fact that they're small servings they are filling. We went on a Saturday evening and there was live entertainment so that was fun. I would definitely recommend.

• Pros: Lots of food, good service, intimate atmosphere, live entertainment, prixe fix
• Cons: should call ahead if it gets crowded, group dining probably not ideal since it's small

08/15/07

Amazing food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by nishnish2000 at Citysearch

i can't say enough about this place, i have never had more tender chicken kababs in my life. the entertainment was fabulous. smoked a hookah here and it was awesome. great food, price fixe menu at $35 pp but totally worth it.

• Pros: Food, Ambience, Entertainment.
• Cons: a little cramped

07/19/07

Eh...pretty mediocre

by brix212 at Citysearch

I decided to have my 23rd birthday at this restaurant and I couldn't have been more dissapointed and embarrassed in front of my guests for picking such an awful place.

I understand that the foundation of this restaurant is their pre-fixe menu. However, I have been making arrangements with the manager for days, making sure that we have the option to order from the a-la-carte menu. Her exact words were "Usually you have to order from the $40 pre-fixe menu, but you're lucky that on weeknights you can order from the a-la-carte menu." I thought "Great! My guests are not bound to their excessively expensive pre-fixe menu," which everyone had reservations about. When I go there, they claimed to have never told me that. So I went and spoke to the manager and she was really mean and rude. She was unwilling to work me or even listen for that matter. After about 15 minutes of several of my friends and I negotiating with this rude elderly woman, she agreed to let us pay $20 a person just for appetizers and salad.

The appetizers were typical of Middle Eastern food. No better, no worse than any other Middle Eastern restaurant I've been to. But I have to say that the horrible experience left a bitter taste in my mouth. Everyone was still hungry. They only serve beer and wine. And on the phone the elderly woman told me that hookahs are $15. In reality they are $20. I can't believe I was lied to by their staff and that they actually had the audacity to expect an additional tip on top of the 18% that they already added to our bill. I have been to some pretty bad restaurants in NYC, but this was the worst. I regret that it had to happen on my 23rd birthday. Perhaps I'll have another party this weekend at a real restaurant.

• Pros: If you want to waste your money and time, this place is great for that!
• Cons: If you want a pleasant memorable experience, don't go here.

11/14/06

Wonderful experience..

by latinjewel98 at Citysearch

The place is a bit small but has great decor with rich arabian colors. Cozy which is perfect for a date. There's not actual menu. The chefs will make the same courses for everyone at a fixed price $35. Drinks are not included. The different courses are small dishes to share of many ecletic foods: appetizers, dips, desserts, etc. On saturdays they have a belly dancer show which was nice and entertaining. The seats are on the low side a bit hard trying to eat your food but its is over all a very nice place to visit. The waiters are friendly as well.

11/06/06

Great for groups

by hollie614 at Citysearch

I planned a surprise bachelorette party for this past weekend and it ended up being a great choice. An incredible amount of delicious food for the $40 prix fix. Vegetarians were more than well covered too! We kept the wine coming and paid $70 a head (including covering the guest of honor). They were very accommodating in terms of helping stage the surprise. Any review complaining about the loud music must be referring to the 20 minutes or so between 2 of the courses where the music starts blaring and the belly dancer appears... hardly a nuisance and a nice add! I wouldn't recommend the downstairs for anyone going without a group... the couples amongst the two big groups downstairs seemed a bit lost and uncomfortable.

• Pros: Great for groups and lingering dining
• Cons: Don't go if you're in a rush!

07/27/06

avoid weekend

by mecki at Citysearch

We came on a Saturday evening, the seats are very uncomfortable, we sat far from each other, the music very loud and it was difficult to talk. We had a predeterminented menu (whats usual on Saturdays) and the food was pretty good. The belly-dancer was average. The prices more than good, very expensive!! We payd $ 80 each. Dont't go on Saturday evening and ask for the prices!!

05/24/06

Possibly the best date place in town

by dalee at Citysearch

Mamlouk is as good as it gets. Arrive hungry (actually starved) because the amount of delicious food they bring is almost overwhelming. You will surely leave full and satisfied. It's got a very sexy atmosphere - ideal for a second or third date. The wine list could use some expansion. Be sure to let them know ahead of time if you have any vegetarians in your party. It's also perfect for groups. If you're into Middle Eastern food, this is the creme de la creme.

• Pros: Delicious Food, Friendly Service
• Cons: Short Wine List

01/29/06

Great Food!

by skwaters at Citysearch

We had a wonderful time at Mamlouk. We were there for the second seating (at 9:00) and the belly dancer was great. The food was amazing, and it just kept coming...one delicious dish after another. The wait staff were friendly, quick, and efficient...we got our drinks within minutes of ordering them. The best part may have been the apple tabacco and hookah pipe at the end...so fun. Definitly worth the $20. We had a bunch of drinks, coffee, tea, and the hookah pipe, and each couple ended up paying about $150...not bad for such a big dinner and such a great experience.

• Pros: amazing food, fast service, cool ambiance
• Cons: tiny tables, music a bit loud