Maroush

it was a very big table and we were unable to talk to each other .There was also very dim lighting and we could not see our food and the service was a 2 on a scale of 1-10 it was a 3 on overall rating. Our starters arrived on a hit an miss basis and our gentle reminders were literally dismissed with a wave of the many different hands of what seemed like several waiters attending to our table with a skillful avoidance of any eye contact to ensure no relationship could e developed in the evening. All the dishes were thumped on the table with no explanation of what they were and due to the poor lighting we kind of guessed our way through.and

(18/02/2012) This was my first time at Maroush, it had been a long planned and long awaited evening out for seven girls/birthday. I booked the table and requested a round table and the man on the telephone seemed very accommodating and polite. The problems started as soon as we arrived, we were abruptly told that it was one set menu on a Saturday and this would be £35.00p.p. I asked why I was not informed of this at the time of booking and why your website also has no mention of it and was answered in a very hostile way. However, we decided to stay as we were looking forward to a night of entertainment. Then a second waiter came over and rudely told us we were blocking the toilet and would have to move, I was gobsmacked as that is where the previous waiter had seated us, but we obliged. This waiter then showed us the set menus and now said there were two options both priced at £35.00, one was for two people at £35.00 per head and one was for four people with more food and wine included and also cost £35.00. Obviously we went for the one inclusive of wine as this seemed to be more economical as it included the wine. We specifically asked the waiter that as we were a group of 7 that we not be charged for 8 lots of £35.00,(2 x set menu for four people) he said not to worry he would do it for 7 people. We then got a waitress who could only be described as the rudest individual I have ever come across, she bought the starters (which tasted very good) with a snarl and became increasingly impatient with every question and because we asked to have a little wait in between courses (and may I add the main course was not great, tasteless shank and dry kebab meat). At the end of the meal we must have asked for the bill at least 5 times and when we finally got our waitress' attention again, she said the delay was because waiters and waitresses got distracted and forgot…HOW IS THIS OUR PROBLEM? We put this to her firmly but politely because by now our evening had been ruined, and she got very argumentative before throwing us a few more dirty looks and then almost throwing the bill at us. The final straw came when they did infact charge us for 8 poeple which included an additional £35.00 for a non existent 8th person and when questioned the waiter went on to deny ever saying that he would make it for seven. In the end after much to-ing and fro-ing he took off the price of a bottle of wine of (20.00) this still left us 15.00 out of pocket. A completely ruined night out!! I WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO MAROUSH NOR WILL I RECOMMEND IT!! One final point please do not judge you evenings spend by the website menu and wine list as they have no relation to the offerings in the restaurant and their prices!

Dined here for the first time on Saturday evening 19/02/2011. There are so many things wrong with this place, I don't don't where to even start. We booked a table in advance on the Friday afternoon and said that we would like a table for 3 – 4 people and that we were going there for the live entertainment. We arrived at the downstairs reception area and waited for several minutes for the maitre'd to arrive.He eventually did and were imediately ignored while he attended to a larger party who arrived several minutes later and were waiting behind us. Despite making it perfectly clear at the time of booking, that we were going there for the entertainment, we were seated at the rear of the restaurant, in an alcove with the the view of the entertainment completely obscured. The maitre d apolologised and said that he would try to move us to a better table if he could. A waitess then appeared with a bowl of salad vedgetables, which were whole and not cut up. When asked what we were expected to do with them she said make your own salad. If we had wanted to make salad, we would have stayed at home and certainly wouldnt be paying for the privelidge After about 15 minutes and ordering a reasonably expensive bottle of wine, the maitre 'd somehow managed to make space for us We had ordered the set meal for three people, priced at £35 per head. The meze course was fine and the portions were generous. The problem arose when the main course was brought. The main course consisted of grilled chicken that appeared to have been reheated so many times that it had the texture of cardboard. The lamb shank was devoid of flavour. I promptly complained to the manager about the quality food and they then returned in 5 minutes with what looked like similar food which I also refused to eat and told them to take it away. I asked them just to get some fruit and not to bother with the main course. The cost of the Maroush dining experience = £240.00 3 x bottles of wine = £90 3 x set meals = £115 Thats right do the maths, on top of all of this they over charged us and had the nerve to include service. The staff are courteous but at the same time indifferent. They are only concerned about taking money and nothing else. This is not a true reprasentation of lebanese cuisine and I would strongley recommend people to stay well clear of here if they care about food. You would be far better eating at one of the many other good smaller street eats on Edgeware road where you will get good honest meal at a fraction of the price The bellydance Farah Nasri was amazing and the musicians were ok, but all in all its an evening best forgotten about, along with the restaurant.

I am a huge fan of Lebanese food –mainly thanks to Beirut Express, which is run by the Maroush group – and had been to Maroush I a few years ago. Impressed with the food, price, atmosphere and service, I recently went back for dinner with a group. Unfortunately, our experience this time Maroush was in complete contrast to our last visit. Firstly, the service was downright poor. Once we had sat down, our pitta bread was plonked on our plates and left to go cold as we waited for the waiter to take our order. The drinks took ages to arrive – and they had forgotten to bring over about 4 of our drinks. This in itself wasn't a problem, but we had to then remind them about 3 or 4 times to bring the drinks over! Each time we reminded them politely, the waiters were incredibly rude about it. Perhaps if it was a very busy night I would understand but there were only 4 other people in the restaurant! We then ordered our starters with the same experience . The waiters forgot to bring over some fo the starters and when we reminded them politely, they were very defensive and rude to us. Finally, we ordered the mains. However, some cutlery was missing which required a 10 minute wait – by which time the food was cold. Whilst most peopled enjoyed their meals (the starters were their usual great standard and enjoyed by all) my chicken shish taouk was over cooked and the wrap was cold. I have had much fantastic taouks and shwarmas at Beirut Express so that was very disappointing. To top it all off, there was a £6 cover charge per head!!! I know that there is usually a 12.5% service charge for large parties, but £6 is ridiculous. All we got for that was a couple of bottles of still water for the table and cold pitta bread – and terrible service to boot! So, if you are thinking of going to Maroush I, I would suggest either a) checking out a different Maroush to see if service and atmosphere is any better b) only go if you are prepared to put up with rude staff and your orders being forgotten. Alternatively, you can have the exact same meal for less than half the price down at Beirut Express! One thing I will definitely say for Maroush is the food is usually great – whether it’s worth the bad service and rip-off cover charge is another thing! For me, £30 for terrible service and a terrible meal is just not on.

Maroush has become to The Edgeware Road what Starbucks has become to Oxford Street. Having visited Maroush 1 many years ago and had a positive experience I tried Maroush #6 which is virtually opposite and found it had indeed turned into a chain. The service was verging on downright rude, the atmosphere not enhanced by the background of noisy staff disputes in Arabic and the whole place looked a bit tired from the decor to the furniture and shabby laminated menus. I couldn't wait to get out. Sorry Maroush, I will see you again, but probably at 3am for a kebab when I will care far less.