Sahara Restaurant & Grill- Bar The District Detroit — Restaurant in Detroit

Beautiful Ambiance, But Food & Service Are Hit or Miss

I dined here recently and while the ambiance is absolutely stunning — colorful, vibrant, and beautifully designed — my overall experience was mixed.

Some dishes were absolutely phenomenal, like the wings and cauliflower, but others were shockingly underwhelming. The Parmesan-crusted salmon was dry and flavorless, and the rosemary potatoes were equally disappointing. I sent the potatoes back, but I held off on returning the salmon out of courtesy. In hindsight, I wish I had — especially after seeing how my friend was treated when she voiced her dissatisfaction.

She only took two bites of her entrée and genuinely didn’t enjoy it. When we asked if it could be removed from the bill, the manager flat-out refused, stating, “Since you ordered it, you have to pay for it — whether you ate it or not.” When we expressed surprise, she doubled down, saying “Other people liked it — we’ve been selling it like hotcakes all day.” That kind of attitude is unacceptable, especially at a restaurant that presents itself as high-end. Most places would at least offer to remake the dish, provide an alternative, or show some basic level restaurant etiquette. In the end after 5 minutes of back and forth with us she agreed she would bring us another appetizer in place of the entree but only because we had refused to pay for something we didn't eat. I didn't catch the manger's name but she could benefit from customer service training, it is unprofessional to go back and forth with customers.

The service overall was not much better. A male staff member — unsure if he was a waiter or busser — sighed when I asked for something to enhance the flavor of my dish. Our waitress seemed to grow frustrated with us as well. She forgot part of my to-go order multiple times, and although my friend had a better experience with her and tipped generously, I personally felt the level of service didn’t merit that.

All that said, there is good food here — but it’s definitely hit or miss. You really have to know what to order from the menu. Some dishes will blow you away, and others will leave you wondering why they made it to the table at all.

The atmosphere was overall pleasant but during our visit they would have a moment of blaring the music to celebrate someone's graduation but it goes on looping the song 3 times with the music at max volume which is excessive. Once I could see but anything more makes the experience unpleasant.

Despite the issues, I will be returning to try the Cajun shrimp Alfredo, hoping it lands on the “hit” side. I just wish the customer service matched the beauty of the space and the potential of the menu.

Based on my next experience I will provide an...

We were very excited to find this restsurant on the way to the Lions game we love Mediterranean food. Turned out to be a sad and extreamly disappointing experience. The Food was Bland and had no spice at all. The most tasteless "Mediterranean" food we have ever had. Ordered a dirty martini that had Zero olive juice in it and was actually sweet! In what world is a dirty martini sweet?. Now to the payment experience. The bill was given to us in the typical manner with the paper on top and a place to fill in the tip amount. Which we did despite the subpar food. Only to look at the itemized receipt later and see a tip was already built in. So they build in a tip and ask for more without telling you they already built it in. Tasteless food. Bad drinks and underhanded billing. One of the worst restaurant experiences we have ever had.

We did not expect hot spicy. Your food was tasteless and bland. We expected what we have experienced in the Middle East in Jordan, Israel, Turkey etc where we have traveled extensively as well as other restaurants (who actually prepare their food with care) in Detroit, Chicago etc. We are very familiar with the food having actually lived in the Mediterranean basin and traveled there extensively.

As to the deceptive tip. The bill was presented to us with the space to fill in the tip ( If 20% is already included why do this?) Only upon examining the bill later do you learn it was already included. Pick what your going to do either include it and don't try to collect it again or let people decide. As to standard practice your "Restsurant" is the only place in Detroit we have experienced this extreamly deceptive...

Burnt food, HORRIBLE service. Don't go here! We sat at the bar. I waited over 5 minutes no one acknowledged me. I grabbed my own menu & got the bar tenders attention to order. I ordered drink & food right Way. It took 35 minutes to get my food. My drink was empty she never asked if I wanted another. My boyfriend sat down next to me 5 min after I sat down. She took my menu away b4 he had a chance to see it bartender never asked him if he wanted a menu. I got my food waited 5-7 minutes for silverware then asked the host for silverware waited another 5-6 minutes. My food was completely cold by the time I had a chance to eat. I got my garlic then I asked where is my fresh bread. 5 minutes after that she comes out with cold pita bread. Not fresh, they bake their own fresh bread. It took me another 5-10 minutes to get her attention to ask for bread then she said they ran out. It was only 6:15-6:20 pm. Start of dinner. How do u run out that early? Poor management. When u run low you should make more not wait til u run & & people ask for it especially if they ordered the sauce to go with it. The bread waa the reason why I ordered the sauce. DUH! Then bartender came back & said they will have some in 10 minutes. I sat there another 20 minutes with my garlic & Never got my bread. My boyfriend is too nice & gave her a pretty good tip when though she didn't deserve a penny. & 1/2 of my...