Al Jazeerah Signature — Restaurant in Kuta

Where do I start? That’s a tough question as so much went wrong. I preface this with me being in the restaurant and hospitality industry for over 40 years, so when I say what I am about to, it is with a service and food mindset from a customer point of view. My wife made the reservation here, it looked beautiful and grand, with a delicious looking menu.

The welcome was great and the lady that met us and took us to our first table, then to the first floor where decided to sit due to the heat upstairs, was lovely and very accommodating. Thereafter things went slightly awry. We asked our server if a substitution, one that was the exact same price on the menu, but were met with a resistance and statement that said; “our manager does not allow that”. Now all we asked for was a small switch in the cold mezzah plate, we are talking maybe to tablespoons of the yogurt instead of one of the more rich items. It was a simple and straight NO! I don’t know if I could do this or let any of my staff refuse a customer such a request, but alas it was. We proceeded to order the watermelon salad (Appetizer) then two mains, sheesh kebab and the Shawarma. Now when you see what you are shown and what is served you will also understand why I was really upset. It was as though the kitchen didn’t care and there was no expo or quality control, and everything’s my came together. When I spoke to a young man who identified himself as a manager, he had the audacity to say that “that’s how we serve it now”. We asked for some sort of salad as portrayed, whilst we waited for cutlery so we could eat what was put in from of us, that took another and five minutes, and by the time the salad came, well.. my wife was done with her food, which was better tasting then mine. (Which was bland and oily, 2/3’s of which I could not eat.)

The original hostess who sat us down must have heard of the debacle and came over to try and smooth things over by apologising multiple times, she also brought over a chocolate dessert, which was kind, but we were really not in the mood. Here’s the worst of it, after knowing the issue, no-one came to check on us to see if everything was okay or could they do or get something. This again goes back to my original statement of looking at this from a customer point of view. In all my years of being in the industry and running my own restaurants as well as large corporate ones, have I been this dismayed, other then a really bad Indian restaurant in London near the airport. So if there is a question of recommending this restaurant, I would not do it immediately, and would caution, pictures are not what you should go by as you will see below. There are three aspects of a great restaurant business, QSA (Quality, Service and Atmosphere) when even one is missing, you will struggle, but two missing, then you may struggle a lot more unless you fix the issues. The place is beautiful and can be fixed to be much better, but better management and attention to detail in quality and service is needed for...

I expected more from this establishment.

Atmosphere: It was excellent and on point with the concept. You've got Arabic music and vibes. Even many Arabs eat there. The restaurant was so beautiful. What a shame.

Service: They're all very friendly and helpful, but not attentive to the tables. They've got this button to order or call a waitress but, I personally think it would be better if they can service our table without us having to call them. Our glasses were empty but no one offered to take them away. We had like 5 different people serving the table. Ordered The appetizers but no side plate to eat it with, had to ask them to bring. The appetizers come before the drink. We were so thirsty. We ate all the appetizers only then the drinks came. The main course didn't come at the same time. Had to wait for my husband's food to come so we can have a nice dinner. We took our first bite and there's one lady offering a croissant!! At dinner time??? She said she'll give us a 30% discount!! It was very disturbing for our dinner. I don't want people selling me stuff when I am eating my dinner. What is this a traditional market???? Not even a single time they came to ask how our food was. Though it seems all the hijab ladies are walking around and acting all important, they did not give any impact or add any value regarding the service. There seemed to be a guy who was in charge, the guy with the white hair. But he was just talking to one table which I assumed his friends. They ordered a lot of food but wasted most of it. When we walked out of the restaurant and passed a few tables, many empty tables with food still full on the plate. There is nothing special about this restaurant. We don't feel special coming here. It seems like they just want us to order food eat and leave.

Food: Where to begin. I don't understand how the Arabs can come here and accept their food to be cooked like this. I think it's an insult. The appetizers said it was served with pita bread. I'm not sure where the chef is from but that was not pita bread. It was more like a local soft bread from a cheap bakery. Hummus was disappointing. No flavor. I just tasted chickpeas and a hint of salt and olive oil. There is no garlic, no tahini, not even a lemon. My shawarma came, it was alright, I've got this cheapest frozen french fries they can ever get. As I said, there is nothing special about this restaurant, or the food. My husband's kebab came, the lamb was tough and chewy. And they gave him this pathetic "pita bread" again! And a pathetic 1 thin sad triangle of flat bread. The food presentation was terrible. No imagination, no value, no class, no standard. The flavor was below average for the price we paid. We are disappointed and will never recommend this restaurant to anyone or will we come back. Don't waste your money.

As I said, no one came to our table and asked how our food was. So...

Al Jazeerah Signature Bali is a sprawling Middle Eastern restaurant nestled in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. With its impressive ambiance, extensive menu, and promise of authentic flavors, it has garnered a reputation as a must-visit destination for discerning diners. However, a recent dining experience revealed a few shortcomings in the service department that detracted from the overall experience. Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed with its sheer size and grandeur. The restaurant boasts a spacious dining area adorned with intricate Middle Eastern décor, creating an atmosphere of elegance and warmth. Ample parking ensures a hassle-free arrival, and the efficient front desk staff sets a welcoming tone.

Unfortunately, our initial enthusiasm was dampened upon being seated next to a fountain. Water droplets from the fountain kept landing on our table, creating an unpleasant and unhygienic experience. We politely requested a different table, and while the staff was apologetic, we directly got an alternative seating arrangement.

The service hiccups continued with the dessert course. Within minutes of placing our order, our desserts arrived at the table. This seemed odd, considering our main course had not yet been served. Upon inquiring about this, a waiter told us he will check on our main course. However, the timing was clearly off, as we were left with our desserts on the table while waiting for our main course. Our main course finally arrived approximately 15 minutes after our desserts. To our dismay, the table had not been cleared, and we were left to eat our main course amidst the empty plates from our desserts. This oversight was a significant letdown, especially in a restaurant of this caliber. And there were enough waitresses being busy around us.

Despite the service lapses, it's worth noting that this restaurant excels in other areas. The restaurant's ambiance is indeed impressive, creating a captivating dining experience. The food is also noteworthy, with authentic Middle Eastern flavors that tantalize the taste buds. The tea, in particular, was served in a beautiful pot, adding a touch of elegance to the meal. While Al Jazeerah Signature Bali has the potential to be an exceptional dining destination, the service shortcomings highlighted in this review tarnish the overall experience. The restaurant's management would do well to address these issues to ensure that the service matches the impressive setting and...