SemSem — Restaurant in Ottawa

This is the first time ever I’m being asked to leave the restaurant even before finishing our gathering, the staff was so rude, they limit your stay and give you only 1.5 hour for 6 ppl or less and 2 hours for 6 ppl or more, we supposed to be 8 but 2 girls didn’t show, they kept asking us about the rest to be able to have the 2 hours window, even though the place was half empty and lots of places still available, the food prices are overrated, the girl was so rude she kept insisting us to order and when we told her that we still need time she literally replied “thank god that you did not came on a weekend because if you do that on a weekend day I will fight you” she say it as she was joking but she was just over rude, then when the 2 hours passed she came and told us you only have 5 minutes to leave the restaurant. My friend had to wait her husband outside! Every time they surprise me with the worst service in Ottawa. Please avoid this place there is plenty of other Arabic breakfast options that deserve...

I ordered two dishes: the Veggie Beans and the Meat Maqla.

The Veggie Beans were very disappointing. Instead of the flavorful mash of fava beans with tomatoes, parsley, coriander, and onions that was described, it seemed like they had simply opened a can of fava beans and served it without any real cooking, seasoning, or mixing. The taste was flat and cheapened, completely missing the freshness and richness promised in the menu. On top of that, they charged $15.95 plus tax for what was basically canned beans.

The Meat Maqla — top sirloin stewed with tomatoes, onion, red bell-pepper, and traditional spices — also fell short. The meat lacked tenderness and depth of flavor, and the dish overall tasted under-seasoned and rushed. This dish cost $22.75 plus tax, which is completely unjustified for the quality received.

The fact that they are serving canned food at these prices is a joke. I felt misled by the menu descriptions, and the experience was extremely disappointing. I will never go back...

(Full disclosure: I gave five stars for service and atmosphere, but I got it delivered. The food was so good, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.)

My BF and I ordered for the first time – fantastic. We had heard good things but because we were getting it delivered, we chose items we’d thought travel well (we’ll save the breakfasts for when we can dine in.)

We got the Sojok Sandwich (spicy beef sausage pita), the Veggie Beans (mashed fava with fresh and pickled toppings), Falafel Plate, Labneh and “Service Plate 1” (turnip pickles, chili pickles, fresh veggies and herbs.)

I never thought I’d be writing the words, “I can’t believe how flavourful those beans were,” but here we are. Beans were amazing, the sandwich was satisfying, the falafel was crispy (yet fresh?!), the labneh was rich, the pickles balanced the richness, and the whole order came with a ton of the freshest pita.

The pictures don’t do it justice, but we will definitely be...