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The Phoenician Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
623 French RdNew Hartford, NY 13413
(315) 733-2709
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for The Phoenician Restaurant
20 reviews in English
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Review from Rebecca C.
Fremont, CA
8/20/2009
It's easy to drive past the Phoenician and not give it a second look, as it's located in an old house. What kind of a restaurant is in a house, right? A totally awesome one, that's what! *cue air guitar*
We went for the lunch buffet and were pleasantly surprised, being the type of people that think that only large metro areas can have good "ethnic" (meaning non-American) foods. At least I admit it. Besides, I'm not a food snob. My BEST friend is a burrito truck.
The buffet was full of several different, delicious Mediterranean foods, including hummus, falafel, tabbouleh, kebab-type meats, tzatziki, and dolmas. I only found two things not prepared to my liking: the falafel and the little ground lamb patties. The falafel was cold, dense, and chewy. I was assured by my sister that this was not usually the case, and that the falafel is usually very good here. So I take her word for it that it was just a fluke. The little lamb patties were overcooked and chewy.
Overall, I was very impressed with the food. The quality was very good, and a lot of care went in to the preparation.
Ah, and now for dessert. *cue climactic air guitar* There were many yummy choices, but my husband and I ended up trying the halva and the baklava. I approached the halva with much trepidation, based on an experience with store-bought halva several years back that ended in copious vomiting. But in place of the vomiting, this halva offered an amazing light-textured, nutty sweetness and a pleasant mouth feel. We all make sacrifices. The baklava was also delicious and generous in size. And the best part was that they were priced in the $1.50 to $2 range. It's hard to find that good of a deal nowadays.
Our server was very friendly, and extremely efficient.
I really hope the Phoenician can stand the test of time and keep delighting its patrons with air guitar-worthy food for many years to come. -
Review from Lori G.
Saratoga Springs, NY
6/11/2011
Went to The Phoenician Restaurant for lunch based on reviews from Yelp, and was not disappointed. The buffet has a more than adequate variety of options, all of which were refreshed continously. The tabouleh was outstanding. I make hummus at home and I think theirs could have used a little more 'personality' - a little too pasty, there was no parsley and not enough garlic for my taste. Seemed 'processed', not homemade. Also, they should definitely warm the pitas.
All in all, this is a very reasonably priced option for a nice buffet lunch, and I will return. Would give it 3.5 stars. -
Review from Rebecca B.
New Hartford, NY
7/19/2011
Very good food given the lack of good restaurants in his area. Lamb is great. Prices are a bit steep though.
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Review from Ms. M.
Orange County, CA
4/26/2010
Even though I was there for lunch, I opted not to go with the buffet because the spread didn't look that appetizing to me and it didn't include any lamb dishes (just chicken), which I was craving.
So I ordered a two-kebab plate -- one Lamb Shish Kebab (not marinated) and one Lamb Shwarma Kebab (marinated), which they let you do even though it's not listed like that on the menu. Both kebabs were delicious, tender, and juicy, though I preferred the marinated one as it was more flavorful. The kebab plate also comes with rice and a refreshing little salad with a generous helping of feta cheese crumbles.
Service was friendly in the style of a small-town diner like you see in the movies, although there appeared to only be two servers for the entire restaurant, which could be a problem during peak lunch hours.
The only down-side is that the pita bread that comes in the basket is not warm. But even so, I can't wait to go back to The Phoenician for lamb kebabs if I'm ever in the area again! -
Review from Adam A.
Grinnell, IA
6/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Surprising find in an inconspicuous spot, with some very authentic Lebanese specialties! We were looking for a little dinner, so ordered a sampling of a wide variety of appetizers and salads. Everything we had was good, but the standouts were the grape leaves, the baba ganoush, and the falafel (which actually was a bit "fried" tasting for me- as in, definitely tasted like it was made at the end of a day of frying-but it was crunchy on the outside and tender inside, and tasty)
We skipped desserts, mostly because Lebanese desserts tend to have too much rose water for my taste (though of course, we don't actually know if theirs do!) -
Review from Joe W.
Lunenburg, MA
2/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Got the Lamb and Okra special. Loved this. It came with a rice pilaf and a salad, with very tasty salad dressing. I'm dumb for not trying any hummus or Babganoush, as the pitas they give were wasted. I would have to try this spot again to give it 5 stars. Was there on a Wednesday and 100% should have tried the buffet for a sampling of all they had to offer. Wednesdays are the only day they do buffet for dinner. You'd be crazy if you live near here and go to McDonald's for lunch because the lunch buffet is every day and is so much healthier. Note to self, never try Middle Eastern food and pair it with Utica Club beer... results are not desireable.
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Review from Burger B.
Boston, MA
2/4/2009
I've got to echo the other reviews when I say that this place is outstanding! Walk inside and have a meal.. it's hard to believe you're in Utica. ;-)
As for appetizers, their tabouleh and hummus are phenomenal. For the entree, go for the chicken or the lamb. Both are sure to please. Whenever I drive by, I crave their chicken pita! Desserts are also solid.
Check this place out. You won't be disappointed! :-D -
Review from mariza r.
Irvine, CA
11/15/2008
I could eat their chicken, hummus and pita for a week straight and be a happy camper.
I look forward to getting events catered by them so that I can get some left overs to take home. -
Review from Lisa S.
Ithaca, NY
2/3/2011
Sad to say, spending more time in Utica these days because of my partners job. Haven't found any restaurants to love yet. At the Phoenician, really enjoyed the apps... Tabouleh, Greek cheese... But the meats and main dishes seemed stale and very tired. I will go back for the tabouleh!
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Review from Avineesh G.
Utica, NY
1/22/2011
Amazing food and tremendous service. The baba ganoush was specially awesome. The entrees, were even more wonderful. though being a vegetarian i did not have many options, the vegetarian platter was quite decent. The baklava that I had for dessert reminded me of a place that is famous for baklavas in new jersey. Amazing dining experience. Totally recommend it.
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Review from Ron F.
Utica, NY
6/23/2011
Good buffet! Gets busy for lunch. A lot of space. Parking lot is a little small. Cost is very reasonable. Staff is usually friendly, easy going.
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Review from Andrew C.
Austin, TX
7/22/2010
I was in the area visiting family and met up with my father for lunch. When I used to live in the area I ate at the Phoenician on a weekly basis. For some reason the buffet was not up at lunch time. Their service has always been hit or miss, but during this meal the waitress was really terrible. The girl who waited on us has been there for years so I would think she would have it together a little bit more. The service was slow, the waitress was miserable, and all the while the place was empty save for us and another table. The tabouli was very good, the hummus and baba ghanouj were alright, and the grape leaves were satisfactory. The falafel was pretty mediocre...not very flavorful, just fried blandness. All in all, the meal was ok but definitely not as good as I remember.
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Review from Dawn-Marie S.
Oneida, NY
6/6/2009
Ahh, The Phoenician... our first visit will not be our last.
Our friendly and long-suffering waitress didn't blink an eye when our fourtop ordered just water, in fact she brought us first a carafe and then 2 pitchers of ice water. She was attentive even when the dining room started to fill, and chatty but not overbearing.
The mixed platters for four yielded food enough for six. Four appetizers of our choice, 4 skewers of kebab, salad, rice pilaf, stuffed grape leaves, stuffed cabbage, spinach pie, kibbeh, and a very, very generous basket of bread all for around $15 per person. I did think the kibbeh (fried lamb and bulgur patty) was very dry, but I've never had it before, perhaps that is how it is supposed to be. The falafel, however, were scrumptious! Crispy, not greasy, and perfectly spiced. I'm trying not to over-exclaim, but it's really difficult when everything we ate was so stinking good!
At this point we had eaten far more than was good for us, but were certainly not going to skip dessert. The desserts are ridiculously inexpensive, all under $2. The baklava was superb, but for the love of all that is good, you must try the halvah! Warm, honey sweet, light, crumbly, packed with pistachio-y goodness, mm, mm, mmm! Sweet, spiced Turkish coffee rounded out an outstanding meal.
Try it, you'll like it! -
Review from terry h.
Westernville, NY
4/27/2007
An excellent lunchtime buffet makes this Lebanese restaurant a great choice for those of us not so adept at finding our away around Lebanese food. My son, who lives in Chicago, said the ganouch was about the best. Never thought a whole lot about ganouch before because I had no idea what the hell it was. It is actually smushed up eggplant that presents as a pasty cream like sauce. Whatever, if he likes such a restaurant it has to be good.
Best, Terry -
Review from Wick B.
Los Angeles, CA
9/4/2010
Don't miss an opportunity to eat at this wonderful family owned restaurant. The lunch buffet is an incredibly healthful and tasty bargain for one's money. The staff are friendly and there is ample parking and places to sit and enjoy your meal in a friendly atmosphere. The buffet offers falafel, kibby, tabouli, chicken, humus, soups, rice, grape leaves, and many other delicious Middle Eastern style foods. It is very close to Karam's bakery, too. Incomparable Lebanese cuisine at its best!
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Review from John B.
Cicero, NY
7/18/2008
I love this place! They serve the best Lebanese food you're likely to get anywhere. Everything is prepared from scratch; the meats are all fresh, never frozen, hand trimmed & lean. Their diverse menu also has plenty of choices for the hungry Vegetarian The owner, George Karam, is a fanatic about quality & the wait staff is energetic, friendly & very helpful in explaining any menu items that the patron might not understand.
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Review from A K.
Clinton, NY
12/12/2008
This is as close you to eating in a Lebanesse families kitchen as you can get. Every thing is home made by the Karam's fresh. My sugestion would be the Lamb and Raw Kibbie, but any thing you get you will love. If your not a fan of Arabic food..... what the hell is wrong with you
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Review from terrance s.
Valatie, NY
10/14/2010
Love this place! All of the positive reviews are dead on! The pita bread when fresh from the oven is fantastic. Everything fresh and delicious. I eat at the lunch buffet which is always quickly replenished due to the turnover! Can't wait to head back.
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Review from Andy F.
Oldsmar, FL
7/24/2010
This is 4 stars for a lunch buffet. The all you can eat buffet is under $10. You get three types of meat, really good falafel, some of the best stuffed grape leaves I've had, veggies, and an assortment of salad, taboule, hummus, etc. Not sure what more you can ask for... abundant east mediterranean food at a reasonable price. you will leave full if you like this type of food.
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Review from Sherry K.
Solvay, NY
6/7/2009
Lebanese food? Sure, I'll try it. Wow! I'm considering a move to Lebanon, or at least to New Hartford so I can eat at The Phoenician for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can't go wrong at this place. We tried almost everything and I can't say what my favorite was since it was all so good! You must have the havalah (sic?) for dessert! Go! Eat!
