Karizma Lounge — Restaurant in New York

It was ok. The space is very antique on the inside in a beautiful way and I would say the look from the outside doesn't do it justice so it's worth walking in to see it. They have the outside seating area and a inside upstairs small balcony seating area as an option too. The male host had a very nice and pleasant vibe but the waitress who took our order was not pleasant; she seemed very robotic and looked like she didn't want to be at work (she probably had other things to do instead of serving people 🤷‍♀️). I ordered an avacado salad, and my friend had fried calamari and a cheese burger with fries; my friend also got a sex in the city drink which tasted like a littlw syrup mixed with water and a cork full of vodka NOT to taste. If I had to give the food a rating, it was a 2/5. I could have made it at home and it would have been better to be honest. We really went for the hookah so we were like whatever, it is what it is. Then something very strange happened to us (we were seated on the outside of the restaurant). Some strange guy passed by us on the sidewalk twice, which I noticed but didn't pay it any attention because nothing alerted me, seemed like one of the many passerby going about their business enjoying the good weather. The when we were winding down to leave (we had already asked for the bill and waiting to get it) and still smoking the hookah, the guy approached our table with a hat, dark glasses and one of those gray masks that go over your entire head and hangs down your neck, the mask went all the way up to his glasses so we couldn't see his face at all. He was saying that we look beautiful and that he was staying next door right upstairs on the 14th floor and we should come with him for 5mins to show us a good or better time. At first we thought he wasn't being serious but then he got angry asking why we're smoking hookah and what does it do for us, and started talking about music genres and hip hop, then said "now imma ask you one more time to come upstairs, im right there upstairs, there are cameras everywhere and nothing gonna happen to you. I been saw yall, see yall aint know I saw you". We kept saying no thank you and he was going off about when we see him with 6 white girls dont be mad etc. Eventually he walked away and we got up fast, went inside to pay the $105 bill that included gratuity that was also undeserving but we want to get the hell out. One guy was working outside that was checking IDs etc, he seemed to be keeping an eye on us which we really appreciated and he told us if we felt threatened, there was a precinct at the corner of the block (I dont his name, but THANK YOU SIR). It was so weird and scary. I know this summer everybody outside but ladies please be careful, the creeps are outside too looking to cause trouble. Overall, if you want to do hookah only, then sure but I wouldn't spend money on food again. It was too bland and the service was subpar from the waitress...

This spot is like a treasure box! On a Saturday Night, the street view was met with a normal city store front with 2-3 staff at the door. We did see a group get turned away due to the dress code. (The male was wearing shorts). We were told it would be a wait for an available table and was escorted inside shortly after. Inside we were greeted with urban club music, playing very popular radio hip hop songs and an antique decor which has a whole vibe. Our waitress was appropriately attentive (and appeared very busy). We ordered bottle service (sorry can’t review their mixed drinks). The food menu was a mix of Middle Eastern dishes and American favorite night grub. The Baba Ganoush was seasoned to perfection and very tasty. Our Hookah was presented on a floor base and we chose a flavor that included a pineapple head. Yes! Our coals burned in the pineapple bowl. It was smooth and tasty. Not to strong and not to weak. And definitely not that weird flavor you get from random spots. A 18% gratuity was automatically added to our check as others described. This appears to be more common for weekend/late nights at many venues/restaurants across the US. The only part about our experience I personally did not approve of was handing over my credit card and ID for the waitress to “hold onto” while we were enjoying our time. The card, I understand as many bars will hold your card to run a tab, yet the ID can be checked at the table by the waitress and handed back to the patron. Overall our experience was memorable. You sure have a Gem in...

Loved how it looks inside . But the service was bad my server barely came and checked on me took my menus away when I said I was going to stay and order more . Hookah price was high and the flavor I had didn’t taste like coconut . I go to a lot of hookah lounges and I was just disappointed . My server constantly had her back away and would just stare at her phone or people on the lower level . I got the kid kabob plate it was good expect the sauce which I assume was hummus bc I never saw my server to ask was spoiled . 2 of my meats were cold but at least it tasted good and at this point I waited long and just wanted to eat and go home . My drink was $24 which I didn’t know bc the menus are hard to read in the dark . I would have sent it back if I had known it was that high especially bc I didn’t drink it . I got the honey me and it tasted like water . It came with a mini shot of henny but for all that you better off just getting your liquor straight . Overall I would recommend drinking before coming there .the food was good but be prepared to wait and half of it be cold . I will say it seemed like the make servers checked on their tables more . I was going to come for the belly dancing night but no I would recommend trying...