Addiwan

[coughy]

This is the former Mulberry Street/La Giada spot.

[Rosie]

We tried to eat there last week. They didn't have their menus yet and were serving a buffet so we left.

[Rosie]

We finally got here. The restaurant is new and has some menu and service issues to iron out. If you go let us know what you think. We were disappointed and like Lalazar and The Greek Diner in Montclair much better than this establishment. But since they are just open a week things may change and if so I certainly will return.

The bread is room temperature pita so while there is nothing wrong with fresh pita we prefer our bread warm and prefer the "pida" bread served at Lalazar The lebnah was fine but I make my own which I prefer. I know the Greek salad was salted but am unsure if it had dressing on it. It was bland. The restaurant was out a chicken entrée but did have chicken kebabs. They also were boring and salty and were accompanied with cous-cous and rice. Two starches were not needed. Our other entrée was a ho-hum beef kebab similar to hamburger. We didn’t stay for dessert.

The water glasses weren’t refilled until we were ready to leave and the waiter didn’t know who received each entrée. He held the entrees in front of us and basically shrugged his shoulders. The entrees came before we were finished with the appetizer.

With tax and tip the bill was $40. There is also a buffet and smoking allowed in a back room. The buffet actually looked more attractive and appetizing than our meal so that may be the way to go at this restaurant. The restaurant is visually beautiful and alot of thought went into the decor.

[jim07044]

Rosie: try this place again. I read a recent review (Star-Ledger, perhaps?) which inspired me to go this past Saturday night. The place was packed, service was a little slow at first, but the food was excellent. This coming from my Lebanese-American wife. Belly dancer and dance music on the outdoor patio seating area was great entertainment. Spotted local real estate developer Dick Grabowski at a power table, too.

[coughy]

I am sorry to say it took us two years to finally get to Addiwan and it really wasn't worth it. We started with a bunch of appetizers, a very good salad, delicious falefal, so-so hummus and a sun dried red pepper spread that was okay. Our mains were kufte kebab which was very dry, a spicy shrimp that I did not taste but my friend said was okay and two sampler platters of chicken, lamb and kufte kebabs that were also very dry.

I would have enjoyed my dinner even better had I been able to converse with our friends. The music was very loud and when the belly dancer came out all talk had to stop as we found ourselves screaming at each other. When the waiter asked if we wanted coffee I said I couldn't stand the noise any longer. He said if we didn't want the noise we should have sat up front. On our way out, up front was empty and very cold from the door being opened.

We will stick with Lalezar where the food is better, the staff much friendlier and the music - even with the belly dancer - not so loud!

Edited December 2, 2007 by coughy (log)