02/17/09

Great little romantic spot

by Latintreasure

I came here with my boyfriend for Valentine's day and had a great time. We didn't make reservations, so we had to sit at the bar. It didn't matter because the bartender treated us very well. The wine was great as well as the appetizers. Love the ambiance. So romantic and cute. Highly recommend it.

• Pros: ambiance, decor, service

01/12/07

A sexy, secret date spot on the Upper West Side.

by Contributor

The Scene
Looking for a romantic spot that will make you look in-the-know without seeming desperately hip? Head to semi-secret Shalel Lounge, located beneath Metsovo. If you can't find its inconspicuous sign, just follow the paper-bag lanterns and Arabic dance music down the stairs and through a covered patio. In daylight, the bar's cement-patched brick walls and cave-like rooms might not do the trick, but add scores of votives, cozy Moroccan-style pillows and a back-lit bar, and you have one of the sexiest bars on the Upper West Side.

The Draw
Serving several wines by the glass and more than 20 bottled beers (most of them imports), Shalel charges $10 for most drinks. Each of its six rooms (including the covered patio) are group-friendly, with chairs and benches clustered around low tables. Couples--or those looking to get close--should head to the private bench next to the tiny, trickling waterfall.

11/13/06

EH...OKAY

by venusrules

I say this is a 5. Basically, it looks great and sounds great, BUT you MUST get there really early (before 9pm) in order to guarantee a spot to sit at...AND it's really really hot and stuffy...And beware of couples who take over a WHOLE room to indulge in one another...HEY SHARE THE ROOM PEOPLE!!!! The drinks are pricey, but hey this is new york city!!!! All in all, its okay...could be bigger though!!!!

10/23/06

LOVE THIS PLACE! :)

by socialbutterfly1

This is a super romantic spot ... cuddle up in one of the private rooms or sit at the bar and people watch. The finger food is really great.

• Pros: Romantic, Comfortable, Great Food
• Cons: Hard to get a table

09/08/06

Creepy Crawlers and more......

by kat1234

I was so happy to hear that my good friend got engaged and was all pumped for the celebration at Shalel. A. No proper entrance. B. Overpriced drinks. C. Cluless wait staff and disintersted bartender. D. Broken toilets. AND E. worst of all HUGE WATERBUGS!!. After my friend was neglected by the bartender he was forced to be a plumber and an exterminator. OHH I forgot to mention the chair broke on another friend ..no one seemed to notice and when we made a point to tell the wait staff no one cared..All in all is the worst place I have EVER been to...I have never seen waterbugs so big..not even on the Animal Planet Chanel.

• Pros: Good pita bread
• Cons: everythign else

07/18/05

a great date spot!

by sinmit77

very cool place to go snuggle up and have a few drinks!

07/15/03

Sexy little nook

by dinggay68

Despite the $9 price tag on a glass of wine, it offers a lot in the way of atmosphere and intimate surroundings. A great place to take a date or anyone you'd want to impress since it's a bit hidden away.

• Pros: romantic, location
• Cons: drinks a bit pricey

06/19/03

A Hidden Gem

by ML_NYC

Shalel is such a great find. We stumbled upon it late one night. The owner is so gracious and the cool moroccan atmosphere is comfy and inviting.

11/29/02

Cute but rude

by eggfry

It was cute and romantic. However, if you don't get a seat, basically you have to stand around and wait until someone gets up because there is no way for you to hang out without sitting there. After my group of four lost two tables to some rude people, after an hour and a half, we finally found a corner room type seat, only to be kicked out of it because we were not 6 people or more. Since everyone else seemed to be on dates and it was pretty empty there, I did not know which 6 people they were waiting for. There was a couple waiting for our seat, not knowing the 6 person rule - I saw them walk out of the bar as I was getting in the cab. So basically I spent the entire night there waiting for a seat. I probably won't go back.

• Pros: Atmosphere
• Cons: If no seat, bad

07/26/02

Try it! You'll probably like it!

by mpd310

This UWS basement lounge is just as sexy as Chez Es Saada but minus the attitude and Euros. Strong drinks, delicious hummous and 'yes please!" to the vegetable cigars even if they are fried.

Check it out for a cozy romantic chat or a get together with friends you actually want to HEAR and TALK with!

• Pros: cozy seats, good prices, sexy
• Cons: kinda empty, dark