I am so confused by the high ratings here... perhaps I came on an off day? Maybe it's because I'm Middle Eastern and have certain standards when it comes to my region's fare? All I know is that the lunch I just had could be summed up with a giant "meh"/turn-y hand gesture.
We ordered two dishes. The first was the day's special, which consisted of a plate of rice mixed with minced meat and topped with chicken and pine nuts. The rice mixture was fine but the chicken was soooo dry and totally tasteless. It came with a side salad that was adequately dressed but pretty sad-looking all around. Our second dish was the kafta plate (minced meat formed into pipe-shaped burgers) with fries (it was between that or more rice). The kafta was sort of flavourful but again, very very dry. The fries were fine but I would have honestly preferred a salad to go with it (they wouldn't allow for substitutions).
On the whole, the level of food we got simply could not justify the prices listed on the menu. I have no doubt that a lot of love goes into this place, but at $20 a plate for something I swear is done better by (insert name of fast-food Lebanese restaurant), I just can't justify coming here. I'm really not trying to be mean or dismissive, just honest. It's not as if the ambiance or service validates that sort of premium either.
Lunch did end on a somewhat positive note thankfully with dessert and coffee. Our kadaif was to die for and our coffee came with the perfect consistency for fortune telling!