AJ A.'s Profile

This place is basically a scam.

I recently called in and tried placing a takeout order. They asked me if I'd be using a Groupon, and I said yes. They replied that they do not allow customers using Groupons to get takeout, even though it says nowhere in the terms that this is the case.

If you glance through these reviews, you'll see that many other customers attempting to use Groupons have had a variety of problems here.

Upon digging in a little further, you can find that Maharani repeatedly offers dozens of "deals" on Groupon-like sites at any time, including on LivingSocial, HomeRun, Pinchit, Travelzoo, KGB Deals, TownHog, DealOn, VOICE, and even currently right here on their Yelp page.

The deals either do not mention policies on dining options or contain highly confusing fine print that makes it extremely difficult for buyers to redeem them. Essentially, they are counting on people to buy these for $15 - $30, and pocket the revenue without ever having to do anything. And for the buyers that do manage to get food at the restaurant, they've begun to gouge their prices to create a ridiculous margin.

I've eaten here once before, found the food to be halfway decent (and far overpriced), and would've called this place worthy of 2-3 stars but never bothered to write a review. But the practices above are simply unethical, and honestly pathetic for a restaurant to be engaging in. The deals sites should also stop working with this business, as the buyer experience is horrible in nearly all cases.

Yats rocks. You walk in and they've got 4-6 cauldrons full of your choices...which are written in sidewalk chalk on a blackboard. There's always something vegetarian, and a plate full of any of it costs five fitty. Add a buck and you can get a split plate of 2 delectable cajun creations with rice. But the best part is the ridiculously awesome garlic bread...which you can get a bowl of for like a buck.

Not only is the food awesome, but the owner (Joe Vuskovich) is a local celebrity. He's a famed restaurateur from New Orleans that sells his secret spice to restaurants everywhere. Everybody in town knows him (despite the fact that there are two other locations) and he's highly supportive of local bands and kids that most older people stay away from.

Enrico's is the perfect (and my favorite) Italian restaurant. it appears to be a tiny, sketchy dive from the outside...which makes the experience even better when you first walk in. It's the only place outside Italy where the Chef is the owner (and humbly comes to meet you whenever possible), the house chianti is always already on the table, and the lacquered brick creates a romantic ambiance with the feel of a wine cellar of an old palazzo.

The most famous dish is a baked cannelloni stuffed with chicken and sausage, smothered in a creamy tomato sauce, and topped with melted cheeses. Even the bread tastes miraculous and an unexpected sorbet course cleanses the palate for what's next.

If you go during busy hours you'll need a reservation and may have to park down the street...but I've always been luck enough to have the place almost entirely to myself.