Laheeb Elite ( On Bank @Rosebella) — Restaurant in Ottawa

Recently, we visited LAHEEB restaurant for a Ramadan open buffet, and I’d like to share my detailed experience.

Cons:

Reaching the restaurant by phone was often challenging, as they seemed too busy during peak season.

When my wife called just before our arrival to confirm that our table was ready, the staff initially claimed there was no reservation under our name. This could have been quite embarrassing, especially as we had invited our guests, had we been denied entry.

The most disappointing aspect was the discrepancy in the pricing. When we booked over the phone, we were quoted $35 CAD per adult, and 20 CAD for child. we were seven adults and one child However, the total cost was $379.53 CAD, which was significantly higher than expected.

Pros:

Although calling the restaurant for a reservation was a struggle,(High Demand Reflects Quality) once answered, the staff confirmed that the restaurant was fully booked for the next two days. We successfully secured a reservation for a later date.

Upon booking, the manager/owner informed us that the cost was $35 CAD per adult and $20 CAD per child.

Despite the earlier mix-up regarding our reservation, when we arrived, our table was ready, and we were seated promptly.

The hospitality from both the staff and the owner was exceptional. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with traditional Syrian drinks, and the owner proudly offered a freshly grilled kebab skewer to one of our guests—delicious and memorable!

The buffet exceeded expectations in variety, generosity and quality. The offerings included:

Starters: Lentil soup and around 10 different types of Arabic appetizers, including an excellent hummus.

Main courses: A wide array of famous Arabic dishes such as Rice with Shakriya, chicken, cheesy spaghetti, kebabs, kofta, chicken nuggets, and Mansaf (a traditional lamb dish served over rice). There were also other dishes whose names I didn’t catch, but they were equally delicious.

Desserts: A selection of Arabic Baklava and an impressive assortment of fresh fruits.

To conclude, tea and coffee were served, which we enjoyed while having a delightful chat with the staff.

The buffet was generously stocked, with food constantly replenished. Even after the other customers had left, there was an abundance of leftovers. I took the opportunity to take some photos of the restaurant and the buffet setup at end of the evening as you can see much food was left over.

The staff consistently checked on us throughout the meal, ensuring we were satisfied. Their friendliness, attentiveness, and passion for delivering great hospitality and delectable cuisine truly stood out.

This restaurant truly understands great hospitality and authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The food was freshly prepared and delicious, and the staff provided exceptional service. Despite the minor reservation hiccup and pricing concern, our overall experience was fantastic.

We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone searching for excellent Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine. Their freshly cooked dishes and warm hospitality are deserving...

I finally visited Laheeb Elite after my girlfriend had been telling me about it for over 5 months. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to our expectations.

When we arrived, the entrance was uncomfortably hot. My girlfriend explained it was due to the grill and that it would be better in the dining area. It was slightly better inside, but still quite warm. There was only one AC unit, and it was pointed at another table celebrating a birthday. Once they left, the waitress redirected it toward us, which helped a bit.

We were told by what seemed to be the manager or owner that the restaurant was buffet-only — no menu orders. I’m not picky, so I didn’t mind that. The food itself was actually very good — flavorful and well-prepared.

However, the service left a lot to be desired. The manager remained in the dining area the entire time, mostly on his phone. At one point, my girlfriend complimented the food out loud, and he ignored her, even though he was just a few feet away. Later, I had to say “excuse me, sir” three times before he acknowledged me — and I was the only one speaking to him.

There was a section near the food area that had desserts like baklava and other Arab sweets. I had planned to try them after my meal, but once the other group left, the staff began covering the dishes. When I asked if I could try the sweets, the manager said they were brought in by the birthday party and weren’t part of the buffet. If that’s the case, they really shouldn’t have been placed right next to the buffet where it looks like it’s available to everyone.

Another surprising detail: all the soft drinks were no-brand, which feels like cutting corners. It gives the impression that the business is trying to maximize profit at the expense of customer experience.

Overall, while the food was excellent, the service, environment, and attention to detail were disappointing. We left feeling ignored and rushed — not the experience we were hoping for after waiting so long to...

Not impressed…first off, I ordered takeout online for 5:30pm pickup…got there and was told no order placed. Why have ability to order online if it does not work…frustrating to say the least. Was told system was not working? Then how did I order online? Did it go down after I ordered? I had to show my email order confirmation of which the gentlemen behind the counter took a picture and started working on the order of which he immediately got it wrong and had to be corrected. He kept asking me what I ordered…dude, didn’t you just take a picture of the email confirmation. Place was empty, never a good sign, granted it was a Sunday night and it had snowed. I ordered a Beef/Lamb plate and the Chicken Shawarma plate…since the online picture of the plates did not show hummus, I had ordered a side of hummus…so of course plates come with hummus…so there was no need to order hummus. I had asked for two pieces of pita bread in my order, but the guy behind the counter did not want to open the package of pita bread and just gave me the whole package. There was also a large lentil soup in the order which was actually good and tasty. The rest of the meal was not very memorable…the beef / lamb was chewy and dry, chicken was ok, and the rice was also dry. They make a big deal about charcoal fired meats but I could not taste the difference. Fries were lukewarm and not fresh as they were probably sitting under the heat lamp for who knows how long. Why couldn’t they just make me fresh fries? They had the time. With a small tip (done online before I knew how it would play out), takeout meal cost $69. Definitely feel I did not get the quality / value for money. I must say the two guys behind the counter were nice. Not sure if this experience is typical of this place but no matter, first impressions matter…so This was my first and last time...