Sinbad's — Restaurant in City of Rochester

I never got a chance to say how I feel about this place but it wasn't pleasant. I was part of a bus trip as a chaperone visiting universities with my daughter and her school. We visited many schools including the University of Rochester. It was a suggestion made by a staff memeber to go to Sinbads adding that the food was great. I couldnt wait to taste it. I love Mediterranean food and couldn't wait to experience it outside of NYC. We went in as a group and were immediately sat to a table. The menu had so many different options so I had some questions for the waitress with the red orange hair to help answers some of my concerns. She was evasive. So I persisted until finally she came over to me. By this time everyone at my table had ordered. I dont exactly remember the question I posed but neverthe less she was rude and condescending. So, instead of making a scene I got up from the group and left. When I arrived outside I saw a couple of other students complaining on how they weren't being serviced at surrounding restaurants. Naturally, we were all upset and baffled. I walked around the block crying. I went into a pizzeria that was close by and had a big slice. They were much more inviting than what I just went through. I decided to call Sinbad while outside with the group of students. I asked to speak to the manager and expressed my concern. I understand that someone may be having a bad day but it was no excuse. I wasn't being difficult nor was I rude. it was apparent that i was treated differently from the rest of the group. The manager told me to come back in to the store and that dinner was on him. I expressed that I didn't want to go back in the store and feel uncomfortable. I stated to him that I just wanted him to talk to his waitress which he said he would. It really bothered me that the other staff members continued eating and didn't bother to come outside and check on me. It became apparent that color was an issue when we got back on the buses and a lot of the black students were also crying. Some for served but others didn't fit the bill and were turned away. It was sad because we mad it a topic of discussion on the buses we were on. The Caucasian students experienced a wonderful time and didn't have that issue although some chose not to eat at the other establishments when their black friends were turned away. Obviously by now you know I'm a black woman. I'm from NYC and I'm a professional. I went to college and only wanted to share the experience of visiting colleges with my daughter. Instead I was reminded that day of the color of my skin along with so many other great smart students...the school is Bard High School look it up....well rounded kids who were just hungry but turned away by many of the other restaurants on that strip that day. I'm reminded that I'm black everyday, and now the next generation has to go through the same thing. America the land of the free; isn't free for everyone. The Sinbad waitress may have had a bad day but after seeing the other students go through the same treatment it was obvious what the problem was. Instead we got boxes of pizza and the black kids ate on the bus. The message is clear and although University of Rochester was a great school it wasn't a pick for us. My daughter didn't experience what I went through as she is fairly light but she understood how serious it was when we had a bus filled with crying black women and angry black men...thank you Sinbad and the surrounding restaurants on that...

RECENT AND POSSIBLY FINAL VIST❗

Way to go from 5 stars to 1 🌟

We had a large Order To Go for 9 people.

Seriously ridiculous 5 small bite size pieces of beef? I ALWAYS leave the meat to eat last so I can truly see how much protein is actually in any dish. The entire dish was filled with lettuce and cheese and way HIDDEN at the bottom was 5 small bite size pieces of beef. Now, if I ordered a "salad" with a choice of meat as a topping maybe I'd accept this dish.

However, I ordered a "beef" dish which happens to come with salad.... Basically i paid for lettuce with a sprinkling of beef as an addition; for an actual beef dish as ordered that is deceitful. I've NEVER had a bad experience before at Sinbad's it's my go-to restaurant for my entire family and parents... But after this experience.... I'm hesitant to go back. Definitely not worth the money to order a meat dish but end up with more a vegetarian order with a sprinkling of meat as an afterthought. We've had catered Sinbad's numerous times also, but now I'd be nervous because that would be a disaster if Sinbad's pulled a stunt like this, it would be embarrassing as guests would end up having to chew on lettuce and fight over the meat scraps thrown in. The small 5 bite size pieces of meat was tasty but seriously not cool of Sinbad's. VERY DISAPPOINTED because we ordered several dishes and at least another dish that was the same. All round a disappointing experience and as aforementioned a scary proposition if you're inviting guests because the host would be embarrassed due to the minuscule / comical amount of protein in an advertised (on their menu) as a "meat dish."

IN THE PAST:

The Cornish HEN is unbelievably good! Literally melts in your mouth. This is a full bird mind you, so you're gonna get full! I advise taking the tabouleh salad as it is authentic. The deserts are also authentic Mediterranean. ...

We stumbled upon this place on Saturday 3/4/2017 by chance, well what a blessing in disguise! It was not full to capacity but for 1 table, so we were able to sit right down. However it was late for the 3 of us and needed to eat ASAP, 3 diabetics! It was very busy by now and we finally ordered. Unfortunately before any of our food came one of us had a medical issue, and needed to leave, but also we needed to eat, and ASAP! So Vince quickly asked if our waitress could make it to go! Well Jennifer quickly turned our order into a to go order, and the owner was so thoughtful, and glad we did not just leave, so we were able to wait for our server to pack our food up, and thanks to the kitchen staff for helping so quickly!

I know I had soup & a gyro dinner over a ceaser salad. Vince had soup also, salad, lamb chops both delishious and we had the hummus appetizer also delishious. I don't remember what Andy ordered, but he was sick and could not eat it that night, but he had eaten there before and told us it was good food. So we will Def go back. Thank you so much to Jennifer, and the kitchen staff, and the owner who was very kind about...