Syriana Restaurant & Catering — Restaurant in Esquimalt

After hearing there was a new restaurant in the neighborhood, my family and I decided to go visit Syriana for a large shared meal. The restaurant is bright, clean and the staff was very friendly. However, as a pretty big foodie I'm sad to report that we were all very disappointed with the food. I honestly don't even remember what I ordered but what I know is that I was served a plate of rice with unseasoned meat on top of it. No garnish, nothing else with it, just a plate of rice with a bunch of meat. And I know that's not what I was expecting or the norm when compared to other local Middle Eastern restaurants. My brother ordered a "falafel bowl" which was something around $12+, and literally, it was 4 plain falafels in a bowl. No hummus, no garnish, no bowl with rice or salad or something to accompany the falafel, literally ONLY 4 dry falafels in a bowl.

Lastly, we ordered everything to stay and it was ALL served in plastic containers, not plates. I felt like I was in a fast food restaurant.

The meal was around $100 and while I truly love supporting local businesses, I felt it was hugely overpriced for what we got. I don't know if they were having a bad day in the kitchen or what was going on, but I will likely never go back there again, especially because compared to other local Middle Eastern restaurants, this one pales in comparison. I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 because they are nice people and that's very obvious. I hope that the owners read my comment and scrutinize the presentation of the food and what they are serving more carefully, and I wish them all the best.

Also- I did not take photos of these dishes at the time I didn't think about it because I was trying to focus on my family dinner. I'm thinking of it now because I'm in another local middle eastern restaurant and it's reminding me of that experience and that's why I'm writing...

I would like to share my last experience this last weekend at Syriana restaurant. I had heard something from my friends about this place but I had not gone until this weekend. Eventually I went to there with my two sons. First of all, I must say last word at the beginning. It was overestimate for me. They got me and I loved the place. Let’s get the details, 1- AMBIANCE; a beautiful interior design designed by the owners, tables, chairs, and pictures are compatible with each other. There is not good enough parking place, this is disadvantage for them. The sign of restaurant on out side is small if we compare inside quality.

2- TASTE; I have to confess that food tastes deserve praise. I went to many Middle East restaurants and I should say that this place is over most of them. Especially It would be unfair if I didn't tell you about the charm of fresh bread.

3- CLEANING; cleaning is one of the most decisive criteria for restaurants. At this point, I can say that I impressed by its cleaning.

4- COMMUNICATION; they are so smiling and taking care of every customer. they try to make you feel special. I hope this is not for beginning of the business. If they can make it throughout for their business they will definitely be successful.

To sum up, my first experience of SYRIANA was enjoyable and memorable. I could not observe all details because I was taking care of my kids. But next time I m gonna try other foods and some points.

The place is highly...

Been here more than a few times. The prices are outrageous for what you get. Portions are small and sometimes orders don't even have all the ingredients they are supposed to come with. Ordered falafel from here once which was $12+ and all I got was a bowl with 4 falafel and nothing else. No sauce or anything. The shawarma I had was $15+ .. It was so skinny and literally only had chicken and whatever fresh herb they use in it. No pickled veggies of any kind or delicious sauce that you'd expect. Literally just chicken. Extremely disappointing. There are far better places to get shawarma in this city. Bold butcher charges $10 for the same size chicken shawarma wrap but theirs is packed with fresh ingredients and flavor FOR $5 DOLLARS LESS. I wanted to like this place so badly and have given it multiple chances and have spent over $200 here over the passed 5 months or so mainly because the location lacks choices and I was too hungry to care but enough is enough. Stop encouraging them to charge these prices for such poor serving sizes and lackluster ingredients / incompetent staff. The manager lady is kind but that's about all that is positive...