Ben01/10 01:31 PM
Went there last night with several friends. Our experience was definitely hit-and-miss.
To start it off, our friends had called earlier in the week to make a reservation and did so. Except… we got there, and they [Sitti] told us “we don’t take reservations”. Um, what? Very odd that they would take our reservation and then claim otherwise!!!
Next, the atmosphere was strange. We felt like we were in something akin to a middle school cafeteria. Very high ceilings, little to no decor, with patrons packed in all over the place. You can see clear across from one side of the room to the other. There is no privacy, no divisions, no areas with lowered ceilings. It was very loud and noisy. Also they need a double door chamber entrance at the front. Whenever anyone would come in, a cold breeze would blow through the entire restaurant which was very uncomfortable. There were also no curtains or decorations or anything on the front windows. Complete lack of privacy and any defined space within the restaurant. Overall the atmosphere was exceedingly bland and just didn’t have a comfy feeling that I like about so many other restaurants (especially ethnic) that I have been too. We felt like we were in a warehouse.
To continue the theme of “Sitti really needs an interior decorator and/or designer” the serving ware was very plain too. Plain white plates, plain clear glasses, plain silverware. Very unprofessional, like you would find at a Waffle House or a cafeteria. At most ethnic restaurants I have ever been to, the plates are either colored or have some sort of design or pattern on them, as well as the glasses and silverware.
Sitti really needs to get it together to make this place more comfortable and more unique. Then again, maybe Raleigh doesn’t have many discriminating diners who care about (or even notice) a great atmosphere and dining experience. What they have now is seriously lacking. There is no theme to this place, nothing that says “Oh yes, I’m in a Lebanese Restaurant”.
Finally, the food. Half of what we ordered was very very good. My partner and I were quite pleased with the cold lima bean stew (Fassoulia), the hot Lentil Soup, and the Falafel, although the 4 balls of falafel were very small (just a bit smaller than a golf ball), which seemed stingy given that they were $5 and falafel are made from cheap ingredients.
We also ordered the Fatayer and this was the largest disappointment. It is described as a “house made flatbread with spinach mixed with onions, olive oil, spices, and folded into a triangle” that is “served with a Sitti salad” for $8.59. Well, this description is VERY misleading as the main entree (the Fatayer) is smaller than a Snickers bar (I’m talking regular, not king size) while the side salad is much much larger. They should have described this as a salad with a small piece of herb bread. No, I’m not joking—it was that ridiculous.
Several of our friends were happy with their selections, but one of them ordered the chicken shawarma and it was unlike the menu description or any shawarma I have ever seen. It was NOT thinly sliced chicken (which is what a shawarma is, and what the menu described). No, the chicken was in small, frighteningly uniform pieces the size and shape of a small pinkie finger. It looked like some kind of Tyson crap from a frozen bag. NOT a shawarma. My friend tried it and didn’t even eat the rest of it.
Another friend ordered the Fresh Herb and Vegetable Tray. It was, I’m not kidding, pieces of vegetables on a plate. Like a half a head of romaine lettuce, whole scallions, tomato quarters, etc. We’re talking completely raw produce with no special preparation or real seasoning at all. Very odd.
Until they fix the decor and the warehouse-like atmosphere, we will not be going back.
Neomonde has grown from a tiny deli into a busy destination tucked in a corner near Meredith. So tucked away, Sitti could be seen as an opportunity for the celebrated restaurateurs to sit in the public eye and be a destination for visitors as well as townies-in-the-know. From a look at the menu online, the dishes will range from the classic Neomonde favorites (kabobs, shawarmas, etc.), to new twists like pizzettes and a delicious-sounding Fatteh with Lamb (stewed lamb over crispy pita chips, pine nuts, whipped yogurt, garlic, chick peas, and mint). The prices are great, with lunch entrees ranging from $7 to $11, and dinner entrees in the mid-teens.
The restaurant will also be the perfect place to eat on a hot summer day, because not only does it have an outdoor patio out back, but the courtyard area is nestled between buildings, which gives it a perfect amount of shade. Empire has done a wonderful job designing a space that sits in one of the fastest growing areas downtown. Since we already know that Neomonde knows how to make amazing Mediterranean food, an upscale ethnic destination downtown is a welcome addition.
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