Al-Masri Egyptian Restaurant

06/24/07

BEST Egyptian Restaurant in the WORLD!!

by jhermjherm at Citysearch

You can't go wrong. But there have been some changes, lately...GREAT changes!!

The menu has changed, as the former cook is no longer there, and the food is more of the Egyptian style with more variety -- and much tastier! Additionally, the dancer has changed (finally! I was wondering when I was going to see someone new.) So, the variety is better and more delicious. :-)

Log onto their website wwwalmasrisfcacom and check out their new menu. The food is great; the dancing is great.

02/16/07

Bad, Overpriced Food. Good Bellydancings.

by ackbar at Citysearch

This place is overpriced for the food. The atmosphere is cool, and the belly dancers are truly amazing. But I paid $18 for a plate of fries with sauce. I ordered one of their vegetarian dishes, and I got glop served over fries. We went with a group of 6 people, and everyone complained. My husband ordered lamb, and got lamb shards with a dollop of rice - for $20 bones.

Considering it's way out in the richmond, the owners/chefs must be smoking something to consider charging diners such high prices. But maybe that's why the place was so dead on a Sat. night. Lame, lame. You'll have a better time at any of the other middle eastern/bellydancing dives in the city.

I love good ambiance, but even that couldn't reconcile the low quality food for me.

01/21/07

Great experience!

by carr1liz at Citysearch

I can't tell you how much a fabulous time I had at Al Masri...it was such an amazing, delicious, and educational experience. After talking to Samar and Hatem during dinner, I had such a better appreciation for the experience and respect for the culture. It was nothing that I had expected...the hummus was the best I've ever had I'll tell you that...it's not thin or generic like the ones I've tried. The hummus I tried last night tasted so fresh and more fluffy? creamy? I'm not sure how to describe it. I had the filet mignon and my friend had the pacific sole. We loved it! You can tell (taste) that the meals were prepared with fine, quality ingredients. Samar and Hatem, who were very knowledgeable and proud of their culture, shared with us so much interesting information and history related to the food and the difference between their food and imitations of Egyptian food. The decor was beautiful which adds to the whole experience. This place is no joke so come here if you're open-minded and willing to experience something new and to be educated. Oh and if you order Arabic coffee, have Samar tell you your fortune!

12/17/06

Great deco and service !

by amyonghwee at Citysearch

The Egyptian decorations are great, making you feel you are in Egypt ! The service was warm and attentive. Explanations are given on dish recommendations. I love the dessert selections. Later in the night, I found that the server was actually Samar herself, the renown belly-dancer. What a pleasant surprise ! Definitely I will love to be back to see the belly dancing.

10/13/06

Would you pay $45 for white plain rice???

by alwarid at Citysearch

We went in a group, and the owner refused to accommodate our Vegetarian Friends. A group menu is forced on you, and you are not allowed to order individually.

Our Vegetarian friends had to share meat dishes with us (they ate rice ONLY).

The portions were very small for the group, and we ended up going to another restaurant afterwards (we had more girls than guys, and the portions were still too little).

Not one person in our group, or anyone I talk too that has been to this place enjoyed their time at this place! (I refuse to call it restaurant, because it is just a place).

On top of that, the food was terrible (the meat was of poor quality), the selection of the group menue was horrific, to say the least (it was a selection of white plain rice!!!!!).

We had to pay $45/peron (food only, no desert & no alcohol); contrary to the advertised pricing!!!

Would you pay $45 for white plain rice???