Aladdin's Fine Mediterranean & American Cuisine

Quite the polished little gem hiding out in an un-assuming stripmall/business park!

There is no other place in Anchorage quite like this.

It's pretty fancy: tablecloths, intimate ambiance, wine list, knowledgeable wait staff.

But it's a style of food that, unfortunately, doesn't get this treatment enough: Mediterranean food.

I'm not expert on what, exactly, "Mediterranean" food is. You can think of it like Greek + Middle Eastern. Or...if you're a dork...sort of like the Ottoman Empire. (if you're not, google it)

Anyway, it's good. It includes things like: lamb, rice, parsley, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, and saffron.

I got the shish kebab. The meat, rice, and veggies were perfectly-cooked. I was just left wanting more. I wish there were, at least, double the veggies.

I'll be back, but not as often as I'd like. Not much food for the high prices.

I went to Aladdin's for the first time last night and I'm very happy with my experience. I'm also kind of sad I didn't know about this place sooner since it's tucked away in one of the many strip malls in town.

I love the ambiance of the restaurant. It feels both upscale (by Anchorage standards anyway) and cozy, like you're at a family friend's for dinner. Even when most of the tables were full, I still found the atmosphere relaxing.

The menu is a great variety of Mediterranean food - Greek, Moroccan, Middle Eastern. I ordered the falafel for an appetizer. I haven't had many falafels, although that will soon chance, but I really liked it. The outside was crispy and the inside chewy with a delicious tahini sauce. I also had the Arabic mint tea, which is slightly sweet with a delicate mint flavor that isn't overpowering.

For my entrée, I had the beef curry, spicy. The beef was some of the best I've had at a restaurant in a while - tender, flavorful, not too tough or too fatty. The dish also came with rice and vegetables. The curry sauce was just right in terms of spice.

To finish the meal I tried the bread of Tunisia, a sweet cake with almonds and orange blossom. I enjoyed it but it's not something I would eat very often as it's very syrupy and rich.

The only (minor) downside was the service was very slow. I had to awkwardly wait at the entrance for a few minutes until one of the servers could seat me. From start to finish I spent around 90 minutes in the restaurant. I didn't really mind, but that's longer than I typically like to spend on a meal. I'm thinking a lot of this has to do with the fact that the restaurant is only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for dinner, so customers have to get in while it's open since the hours are so limited.

Despite that, the wait staff is knowledgeable about the menu and will answer any questions you have. They're also very polite and attentive considering it was fairly busy when I was there. Both my water and tea were regularly refilled.

Aladdin's offers a breath of fresh air in the Anchorage dining scene. I will definitely go back to sample more of the menu.

There is so much about Aladdin's that is great - it makes it hard to find a starting place. So, lets talk about the only thing that could be considered NOT great.
The Hours. You have to remember, only Thurs - Sat. Evening, 5 to 9pm. I would suggest reservations though I've always managed to get lucky with getting a seat.

I could go through the individual items - but EVERYTHING we've tried has be great. Tasty, well prepared. Presented nicely.

The Service is top notch. Always smiles, and making you feel like it is truly done with Pleasure, not just because you are a customer.

And... do not miss the Tea. A 100% must have.

More to follow. I have to call in my reservation for tomorrow night.

I LOVE this place. The food is so good. I love the mint tea, the orange chicken, the persian chicken, the kabob, heck what don't I enjoy. They also have a wonderful vegetarian and vegan selection. Probably the best in town. I also love that when you order a vegan dish it doesn't automatically mean you need to eat tofu. I recently switch back to being a vegetarian (good bye orange and persian chicken) and this place has the best menu available for dinner. I do wish that they were open more. I tried to have my birthday dinner, but they were closed, and it seems that every time my family comes down to Anchorage, they are closed.
The parking is a small lot but workable, and they do take reservations. They have an excellent wine list. This is a must go place.

The food was absolutely exquisite, the environment really pretty and service - once I got served - nice and very attentive. It would rank 5 stars, but they left me waiting a long time in the front area - easily 20 minutes, at least 5 minutes before even acknowledged, and it just wasn't that busy - there were empty tables and what seemed an adequate number of staff. I thought of leaving but was quite hungry and kept hanging on because it had such good ratings and they threw me a "We'll be right with you" bone a couple times

I'd go again for the food, but if the same waiting experience happened, not after. There's just too many other super good restaurants in Anchorage.

Aladdin's is as good as it gets. It is definitely my favorite Anchorage restaurant.

Rabah (I probably botched the spelling) is the owner and makes a point to make everyone feel welcome. He greets every table, and will even put your napkin on your lap if you haven't done it yourself by the time he stops by. His wife does all the cooking. Their four kids are usually serving, and have mastered the art of impressive tea-pouring.

I cannot say enough good about this place. Try their tomato & blue cheese soup if you get the chance. It is my favorite thing there (though it is only offered as their special on occasion). Their lentil soup is superb as well. Their chicken shawarma, fesanjan, gyros, dolmas... I don't think they make anything that is not top notch.

The good news: Another wonderful dinner at Aladdin's! Food and service are consistently top notch and it always feels like family.

Now the sad news: The owner is retiring and Aladdin's will close in mid-December. It has always been a favorite and fills a niche not found elsewhere in Anchorage. You will be sorely missed.

A lot of solid reviews so maybe I came at a bad time. Perhaps 5:30 Saturday evening is their mediocre serving time.

Anyways the atmosphere was nice and quiet, a decent place for couples. So far so good. I ordered one of the specials, Halibut with a cream sauce. I don't even know what to say about it. It was prepared well and presentation was decent, but I honestly think I've had better Kraft macaroni. Maybe someone should introduce the cook to spices? Let's start small with pepper.

Verdict- Terribly overpriced for less than mediocre food. Will not return.

Good food; very friendly professional personnel; reasonable prices; the wine list is short as well as the opening days! But a nice place!

Great find in the big city. Everything was great and the service was superb. Desert was fabulous. Vegan choices abound.