|
Zaytoon
209 E. Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara
Phone: (805) 963-1293
|
 |
 |
Reviews by the General Public
Help out your servers! , 8/4/2010
Reviewer: Brendon
from Santa Barbara, CA
Went to Zaytoon for a friends birthday with a group of 16. Our reservation was given a nice table with a fire pit, perfect. A+ for ambiance of course. However, after 20 minutes of waiting it became obvious that only 2 servers were responsible for about 18 tables, many of which were large groups. Understandably, it took an unusually long time to order, receive our drinks, let alone order our meals & receive those. I think it was at least an hour before we ordered our meals. Do I hold the servers responsible - no. Anyone could see that they were horribly understaffed. However, every time I have been to Zaytoon, it is the same problem. When you are trying to attract large groups as this restaurant clearly is, management needs to understand that 1 server cannot serve 4 tables effectively without more support - let alone 9 or 10. You are compromising your restaurant by not putting on more help, more servers, more bussers etc. While we had a good time, others will not be willing to wait so long. The belly dancer may buy you some time, but things definitely need to be faster. This restaurant has been criticized for slow service for some time now, but nothing is ever done...
|
Superb Lamb, 5/14/2010
Reviewer: Gleb Popov
from Santa Barbara, CA
Really great place. The lamb meal was delicious and the atmosphere was great. Make sure you seat outside to experience live music and a nice hookah after your dinner. Best place to visit Fri and Sat night around 8-9pm.
|
Amazing food, wine, entertainment and service!, 3/26/2010
Reviewer: Amy
from Santa Barbara, CA
One of my favorite restaurants by far in Santa Barbara! I took my parents here last year when they were visiting and they've requested to go back everytime they are back in town. We always have great waiters who make the evening so much fun, the belly dancers on Saturdays are fun and different, and the food is unbeatable. Oh, and try the Lebanese wines, they have some of my favorite reds!
|
LAME and DISRESPECTFUL seating program!!! good food, 3/20/2010
Reviewer: billy
from Santa Barbara, CA
I made a reservation 1 month ahead for an outdoor patio table with the fire pit in the middle. This was the whole reason we were going there. We got there and about 5 of these tables where open. They greeted us and took us to a regular table--- i said we had reserved the fire pit table and they said those reservations were not guarenteed - as they do when you make the reservation.
I said well what does it depend on --- and they said first come first served --- so i said well were are here and there are 5 open!!!! The lame hostess still didnt budge so i asked to speak to the manager -- -and he sat us at the fire pit table.
This is very lame and inconvienant!!! I love the food, but this level of service makes me think about ever going there again!!!
|
Well worth it!, 2/24/2010
Reviewer: PJ
from Santa Barbara, CA
Upon walking back to our car after the SBIFF we came upon this place. It looked very inviting with all of the patio lights and fire pit tables. Being Valentine's Day I didn't expect to get a table but they had one (inside) and welcomed us. The food was good, flavorful, interesting. Reasonably priced. Good, attentive service. All on a busy night. Warm pita bread served with an excellent dipping oil started the meal. Lamb and beef were tender. Overall very good.
|
Good and consistant, 1/24/2010
Reviewer: Toni Jammal
from Santa Barbara, CA
I am Lebanese and I can attest to the authenticity of the food & the atmosphere Zaytoon creates for its customers. The patio is beautiful, the service is great, but when it comes to hookah I rate them as 2 stars. Hookah is clean and the charcoal is of good quality, BUT, Zaytoon uses the cheapest tobacco, which is dry and tends to burn very quickly, and the bring out coal whenever you ask for it without "Checking / serving" their customer. Hookah is about the entire experience and service, NOT about a waterpipe sitting on the ground. So, they need to vamp that up a bit otherwise Why pay so much for dinner and a hookah?
|
Wonderful, 12/30/2009
Reviewer: Sarah
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have dined here many times, and the only complaints I have would be...
1) Some attitude from waitstaff, and slow at times
2) You can't reserve a fire pit
3) The fire pit can get a little too hot for your dinner and wine glasses
The food is amazing, and does not fail. I love that you can have hookah. I am not a cigarette smoker, but I do enjoy flavored tobacco from time to time! The menu is priced accordingly. I know I can count on great food here.
|
Awesome place, 11/20/2009
Reviewer: Karim
from Santa Barbara, CA
This place is just great, a definite recommendation to everyone. The staff are friendly, food was tasty. A first experience but it's is going to be our new favourite spot. A special thank you to Youssef who was real helpful and made us feel at home.
|
Decent food (limited for vegetarians), good entertainment, 11/20/2009
Reviewer: Daniel Charles
from Santa Barbara, CA
I've dined here a lot, and I'm a vegetarian. While there are a lot of veggie "starters," there are no real main courses that are vegetarian. They had a really amazing vegetarian stew and took it off the menu. Typical! Vegetarians just can't get a fair shake here in SB. The guitarist who plays on Friday night is REALLY good, and they sometimes have a DJ, which is REALLY cool, too. All my friends agree on the entertainment.
|
May go again, 10/27/2009
Reviewer: Tom
from Santa Barbara, CA
The ambiance was really great. The lemon chicken and lamb was a little overcooked. Salads are good. I may go back again.
|
Great, even when busy, 10/20/2009
Reviewer: Alan
from Spokane, WA
We didn't make reservations and the place was packed, but we chose to sit 3 in a 2-person table. The free warm pita and sauce was great as was the service. Our meals were large, well displayed, and really tasty. No overcooked or undercooked lamb or chicken. I'll go back whenever I'm in town.
|
Disappointed, 9/23/2009
Reviewer: Peter
from Santa Barbara, CA
The food and service at Zaytoon has really gone downhill. We had lunch there on 9/22/09 and ordered Chicken Shawarma, which was almost inedible. The salad was mediocre at best. We share the sentiments expressed in previous reviews entitled "underwhelmed" and "no longer good". There must someone new doing the cooking. It's a shame because this used to be a good restaurant with great food and service.
|
great ambiance good food
Reviewer: vi
from Santa Barbara, CA
four of us went on a friday night and the ambiance was really great, with firewood and all. the service and the food were good too. the hummus that we ordered was not as delicious as i expected and the lamb kabab that i ordered would have been cooked a little more. one of us was a vegetarian and felt that the vegetarian options for the main dish were pretty limited (infact they only had one main veg dish on the menu which was an assortment of starters!). otherwise the food was overall pretty good and couple of guys in our group really loved it.
|
One of our favorites
Reviewer: Carmen
from Santa Barbara, CA
I can't imagine how anyone could not like this place. It has many classic dishes, but they are far more delicious than I have tasted anywhere else. My husband and I are vegetarian, so that may skew our perspective. The veg. dishes are wonderful, and there are plenty of them. The restaurant itself is lovely, and we've always received excellent service!
|
Great
Reviewer: Amy
from Santa Barbara, CA
Absolutely LOVE THIS PLACE! Great food and atmosphere!
|
A Delightful Surprise
Reviewer: Jeanette Carpenter
from Santa Barbara, CA
I jumped at the chance to try this restaurant when suggested by a friend following a whirlwind shopping experience. We are both drawn to ethnic restaurants for the endless variety. I was simply delighted by the entire experience. Food, service and ambiance were wonderful. This is the perfect place to "surprise" your friends for a special celebration. This is my new #1 favorite in Santa Barbara.
|
Spicy Atmosphere
Reviewer: David
from Santa Barbara, CA
Food: Different and exotic, best served by the fire. Romantic atmosphere, I took my wife for our 3rd anniversary and she loved it (believe me). Service: Waitress was nice and did anything I asked without hesitation or waiting to long. One thing to improve on would be to keep this place more secret, if too many people find out about this hidden gem in downtown they will overwhelm it. Overall the atmosphere, entertainment, and exotic food make this place a wonderful romantic hot spot hidden in downtown Santa Barbara!
|
YUM YUM!
Reviewer: Jennifer
from Santa Barbara, CA
I love this place soooo much, my husband and I had our rehearsal dinner here. We had 50 people and everyone loved it! Everytime we go, the service is great and the food is even better! You have to have the fried cheese things (forgot the name). Love the schwarma and the baklava is out of this world!
|
Outstanding food and service
Reviewer: Tom
from Santa Barbara, CA
This place rocks. By far the best Middle Eastern food in So Cal. The location is excellent, service as well.
|
Beautiful Saturday Lunch In a Mediterranean Restaurant
Reviewer: Hanna
from Cupertino, CA
The falafel balls apetizer was fresh, hot and delicious. The beef and the chicken shawarma dishes were amazing. The tabouli was awesome, and the paprika flavored french fries were out of this world, especially when dipped in their garlic sauce. Afterwards we enjoyed our desserts and hot tea with fresh mint leaves, and relaxed with a mango flavored hookah in the outside section of the restaurant on a beautiful saturday afternoon. The restrooms were very clean and nicely scented, and the kitchen (i peeked on the way to the bathroom) was really clean. The service was great.
|
Amazing Contrast from Others Experience...
Reviewer: Herman
from Santa Barbara, CA
|
Underwhelmed
Reviewer: Lesley Ann
from Santa Barbara, CA
I went to Zaytoon for lunch with a small group of co-workers to celebrate a birthday. The place was empty, and we were the first group of people there. They asked us if we wanted to be seated inside or out. Since it was a lovely day we chose the outside and were seated at the outdoor patio (which was quite cold in the shade.) Three other groups came in after us, but were seated inside. We waited more than 10 minutes for someone to come out and take our order. We then waited another 30 minutes for it to be delivered. In the meantime, we could see that all of the people that came in behind us were already eating and enjoying their meals while we sat there waiting to be served.
The meal was eventually served, and I found the chicken shwarma to be dry, tasteless, and overpriced. The pita bread arrived when I was halfway through the meal. I will avoid the place altogether and take my dollars elsewhere.
|
No longer good....
Reviewer: Bethany
from Santa Barbara, CA
I have eaten at Zaytoon many times and the quality of the food has gone down hill. I ordered chicken shwarma and it seemed to be a chicken breast diced up and coated with paprika, then sauteed. The hummus was incredibly bland-and the server was quite rude. I seem to be an inconvenience on a not so busy thursday night. I think in this economy restaurants need to do whatever than can to hold on right now. As for the food maybe it was an off night-but the service was simply unexcusable.
|
Best Lebanese(middle eastern) resaurant in USA!
Reviewer: maha
from goleta, ca
I mostly liked the atmosphere. The tables are so authentic (reminded me of Lebanon) and the music too. Moreover, the lamb shawarma with a Tabulli side and Hummus made the whole visit complete.
The waiter was aware of our needs before we ask for it (eg. refilled the bread before it's finished)
|
impeccable
Reviewer: Jason
from Temecula,ca
first timers and what a treat!! Food was amazing and full of flavor. Highly recommended. Atmosphere was clean and tranquill.
|
Have you eaten here? Write a review of this location!
Terms of Service
|
