Phoenicia Restaurant — Restaurant in Birmingham

Had the sampler and hummus chicken entree, with baklava dessert…I love Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food, but found this mediocre…kind of bland. The balaclava was terrible, hard as a rock and dry…could not even cut it to eat…just gave up.

We also got the hearts of palm, which was delicious, but only got two…FOR $16?! That was crazy…especially with three people. The server should have said something.

I also got the Stoli Doli pineapple martini which was delicious.

My guests enjoyed their meals…but again nothing special.

Service was fine, kind of felt like she didn’t want to be there, wish she’d had a little better awareness to not interrupt us right in a conversation…hovering in my eyesight for me to gesture for when are ready is maybe a better way…not a big deal. Also kind of surprised no comment about my birthday…my guests gave me flowers, card and happy birthdays with her at the table…got no acknowledgement. Was I rubbing her the wrong way??? I thought maybe I’d be offered something…at least a happy birthday. I didn’t want to be sung to or expecting free food, but got nothing.

Anyways, I had real high hopes since it was a full house and reservation was hard to get, so I was expecting top service and great food…we got average, nothing special. Although, I did love the black gentleman at the host station checking us in…very personable and welcoming…nice start.

Might try coming back one more time…and maybe I should be a little communicative if something isn’t good…but I hate being pushy or looking like...

Perched primly on the precipice of paragon status, Phoenicia Restaurant presents a peerless panoply of provisions that positively pulverize the pedestrian. Upon partaking, my partner (a particularly pretty paragon named Emily) and I were promptly plunged into a pleasurable, plate-by-plate pilgrimage of profound proportions.

We began with pillowy poufs of pita, paired precisely with hummus—heavenly, herby, and wholly habit-forming. The baba ghanoush? A smoky, silken seduction, swirling with the soul of scorched aubergine. Portabella mushrooms performed a passionate pas de deux with umami, while the tabouleh—parsley-packed and pristinely prepped—tickled our taste buds with perky precision.

Spinach pie pirouetted past our palates like a pastry-cloaked poem, and the mouhamara? My word. A peppery, pomegranate-powered punch of pure poetry.

Naturally, we pacified our palates with a perfectly potent Old Fashioned, poured with the poise of a Parisian perfumer.

Staff were preternaturally perceptive—present but never pushy, polite yet personable. One might presume they’d been plucked from the pages of a period piece titled Downton Beirut.

In sum, Phoenicia is a prime, plush, pulse-quickening place where passion meets plate. It’s not just dinner—it’s a posh pilgrimage through the pantry of the Levantine pantheon.

Pro tip: arrive peckish, prepare to be pampered, and...

Phoenicia is just classic. I’ve been here more times than one can count. After a long eight months of renovations, the doors have finally reopened! I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to bring my brother-in-law and sister for dinner last night. And of course, a phenomenal experience as always. My guests always rave about their drinks, I usually have them make me an improvised strawberry mocktail, which is very refreshing. I’ve tried pretty much everything on the menu and only have good things to say about all of it. Usually I get the mixed grill and hummus with either chicken or hashwii every time I come, those are my go-to’s. And the warak enab of course, AMAZING stuff. I’ve tried most desserts as well. I love the Lebanese sundae with ice cream, fairy floss and pistachio. Always satisfies my sweet tooth. The service is always great, last night our waiter was Omar and he was very attentive and helpful. Also had a chance to meet the owners! Father and son, Sameer and Sammy Eid. Such a treat getting to know these gentlemen, heard all about what part of Lebanon they’re from, their experiences in the restaurant industry, etc. Can’t wait to return and speak with them again! The atmosphere is a nice intimate space with modern decor and windows to let a fresh summer breeze in. Always one of my top recs,...