Heart of Jerusalem Restaurant — Restaurant in Florida

Something changed here. The food isn’t as good as it was before. The menu has “all items 10% up.” And then they have the audacity to change a 3% charge called a “credit surcharge.” When we asked about it, they pointed to a sign at the counter. We were never at the counter - we ordered table side. Not once did the server mention the charge.

Suffice to say it became more about principal, as the surcharge isn’t notated on the menu, the waitress didn’t bother to tell us and she made it very uncomfortable (“I would have to ask the boss”) when we asked.

The service started out ok but then several times the servers came over while we were still eating to ask if we wanted a box with the check in hand. I asked them if they were rushing us because they were closing. They weren’t. Then they brought the check and were like “unless you want to order something else.” We did. When we were done, she said “since you ordered something else here’s another check.” That’s when we noticed the surcharge.

Also the quality of food isn’t the same. It was disappointing and not as homey as it had been in the past. The grape leaves did not taste homemade. The pita was cold and more like flatbread then pita. The Babaganoush used mayonnaise and not tehina. The baklava was hard and served in a plastic container. I mean it was ok & we were hungry so we ate, but it didn’t not taste homey.

I was really sad leaving because I was excited to find a good middle eastern spot. We won’t be back - the food at International market is better.

Edited to respond to owner’s comments:

It doesn’t matter to me whether other restaurants are higher or not. I pointed it out because you wrote it on your menus with a sharpie & in case you neglected to update your online menu.

Yes we ended up paying cash because frankly you can your staff bungled the entire issue. And when we reviewed the check later we found out that you actually DID charge us 3%. It’s not about the money - it’s the principal. Just because you have a tiny sign in your counter (which I heard you say to your staff while you loudly wondered what the problem was), it was how you poorly handled it.

And your tow waitresses came up to our table multiple times asking us to box our food while we were still eating. They were rude. And if they were new, you should train and support them better. Your restaurant - your responsibility.

I’ve been to your restaurant plenty of times in the past and know the menu. This time I noticed a lot of things changed. I have traveled enough in the Middle East region to know what it’s supposed to taste and look like.

Don’t worry we...

Mediocre Experience at Heart of Jerusalem

I visited Heart of Jerusalem recently and it's safe to say that I was rather underwhelmed by the experience. Having heard mixed reviews, I thought I would give it a try myself, but unfortunately, my experience more closely mirrored the less flattering feedback.

The food was, in a word, bland. We started with two appetizers: a Greek salad and falafels. While these are traditionally packed with flavor, ours were disappointingly flat. The Greek salad was missing the characteristic tang of fresh feta and the falafels lacked the essential balance of crispy outside and fluffy inside, with an absence of the usual herb and spice notes.

Our entrees, beef and lamb gyros, were similarly under-seasoned. The meat, while cooked to the right doneness, lacked any real depth of flavor, and the usually vibrant tzatziki sauce was lifeless. This was disappointing, as gyros are typically a flavorful dish, with the spices in the meat and the tangy sauce combining for a delightful taste experience.

On the brighter side, the baklava we shared for dessert was delicious and traditional, layered with honey-soaked phyllo and chopped nuts, offering a sweet conclusion to our meal. We accompanied this with two Turkish coffees which were brewed just right, strong and slightly bitter, providing a nice contrast to the sweet baklava.

However, the dessert was served without clearing our table first, which was already cluttered with four plates. This did not sit well with us, taking away from the enjoyment of our dessert and overall dining experience.

The ambiance of the restaurant was also not to my liking. It felt more like a fast-food joint than a place where one could relax and savor their meal. The hustle and bustle, while sometimes a sign of a popular and thriving restaurant, simply added to the overall lackluster experience in this case.

In conclusion, Heart of Jerusalem falls short in providing an authentic, flavorful Middle Eastern dining experience. While the dessert and coffee were noteworthy, the lack of flavor in the main dishes, coupled with the inattentive service and the uninviting atmosphere, detracts from what could have been a lovely meal. I'm afraid I won't be returning in the...

As of writing this review, this restaurant makes my favorite vegetarian-friendly Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food in all of Orlando out of at least five different restaurants in this category I've gotten to eat at.

For my first visit, I decided to walk in and then place a to-go order. I ordered some hot sage tea while I waited and then to-go ordered a veggie plate. The tea tasted terrific and I loved the presentation; the plate was like a Mid-Eastern grab bag of various flavors where everything was seasoned generously for maximum enjoyment.

For me, what sets this place apart from other restaurants was how soft and moist (well, not dry) their falafel was: at EVERY other place in my LIFE where I've eaten falafel, whether in a warp/pita/gyro or in a bowl of some kind, it was always so DRY that it irritated my throat and gave me hiccups. So, for this falafel to be extremely comfortable to eat was a very welcome change of pace, and I greatly appreciated it.

Otherwise, in the restaurant the décor was excellent and the man attending the cash register-the restaurant's owner-was super attentive and provided me excellent customer service. For vegans and vegetarians, the menu is clearly labeled as to which dishes can be accommodated for those dietary restrictions, and while placing an order, he was quick to share his preferences and recommendations with me which helped me decide more quickly what I wanted to eat.

Anything critical I have to say about my short sit-in and take-out experience would ultimately be a nitpick right now, especially in light of how new the restaurant is to the area as of writing this review. I am very much looking forward to whenever I next eat here. I wish the staff much success in running...