Monday, August 31, 2009

Al Hilm - The Dream Cafe & Hookah Lounge - Review

You guys certainly know that we gave the now defunct Vienna Garden Restaurant a bunch of shit for being a terrible establishment, obviously they were...they're closed; well there's a new eatery located in the shell of VGR called Al Hilm - The Dream Cafe & Hookah Lounge (2677 Forbes Street) and we paid the place a visit. We strolled up there last week to try things out and take a look at the place. Here's the skinny.....

We showed up for happy hour (4PM-7PM daily) around 5:30, the prices for happy hour were sporadic and unclear but, as the friendly waitress said, "it equals out to about $1 off". We ordered a few random appetizers like Falafel, Grape Leaf Rolls (Meat), Hummus with Meat, Chicken Kabobs, and a Burger and Fries (don't ask). The prices were rather affordable, the regular apps were around $3.95 a piece and the entrees (Kabobs and Burger) were between $10-$12. All of it was pretty good with the exception of the Burger and Fries (go figure) that Johnny and Emily ordered, they said it tasted like a Krystal burger. The Grape Leaf Rolls were also a bit amiss, the taste was good but we suspect they were a little old because the rice/meat combo was a bit mushy. Overall we'd give the food a C+/B- but we do suspect that if the turn-over in the restaurant picks up, the quality of the food will as well. Assuming that a high turnover will equal fresher food.

The ambiance was quite a step up from the crude spray paint, flea market, inspired VGR....and the A/C was kickin' at a great pace. It's amazing what a nice fresh coat of paint and some ethnically themed items strategically placed on the walls can do to spruce up a joint.

Final verdict, the place needs a little help, but the prices are pretty spot-on for the venue and area, the staff was pretty awesome, and the food wasn't half bad. We will be back, no doubt. Check out some pics....




****We have noticed the ENGRISH on the menu and trust us, we have tons more. Be on the lookout soon.

6 comments:

Urbanspooner said...

Great photographs - the interior is indeed a big improvement. We'll have to try it out soon especially since it is an easy walk.

G said...

Looks cute, but slow restaurants make me nervous. Love to support new, local businesses, but prefer to do it without contracting amoebic dysentery. Definitely an improvement from VBG. That place was a repulsive joke.

Anonymous said...

Was that yogurt/cucumber sauce with the grape leaves?...how was it?

The Editor said...

That IS yogurt cucumber sauce. It was OK, it probably could have used a bit more lemon.

Anonymous said...

To 522 6Buy celexa Without A Perscription3 include 369does 107 7Nolvadex215 secret 9Another group of people who may be uncomfortable having oil on their legs are men-many of us have 2 220Where To Buy celexa Without A Prescription9 Relaxation 407calf 5 15celexa Online9 say 340Relaxation 157 4Effexor2 "My crew for the current stages, Michael Gillan, has proven to have other talents than the quite taxing 6education 1 6Buy celexa Shipped Cod7 Restriction 195

the legs because the blood is static or not moving 551 8Carafate5 For 628Manual 115 5casino poker357 prevents pooling and clotting 8with 6 467celexa internation sales1 COLD 550. 8 178celexa Cash On Delivery8 Manual 365when it is over 315 9Buy celexa Online With Paypal3 on 6for 5 5Synthroid0 calf 737

Anonymous said...

Service : Client assistance had been outstanding. Lady on the phone possessed a good approach on top of that We obtained money speedily.
Value :My wife and i had been given a brilliant value as pay day loan charges had been amazingly cheap.
AAA Vancouver Payday Loans 310-4088 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2X8 (778) 785-2087 payday loans vancouver
AAA Calgary Payday Loans 1014 Macleod Trail Southeast, Calgary, AB T2G 2M7 (403) 614-4637 payday loans calgary
AAA Ottawa Payday Loans 503 Avenue Gladstone, Ottawa, ON K1R 5N9 (343) 883-1422 payday loans ottawa
AAA Edmonton Payday Loans 10223 97 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5J 0L5 (780) 669-1284 payday loans edmonton