Gabriella's Place Lebanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Nutley

The place was empty when we entered, the old female owner was eating and we didn’t want to interrupt her. She rushed to move her food and wanted us to sit where she sat where it wasn’t even clean after she just ate (visible food still left on table). Even though there was a clean table with plates and everything ready on it, which we insisted might be easier for us to take so she can eat. She gave us attitude about what is wrong about sitting at the table she ate at despite there already being a table set for eating. Then continued to give us attitude saying okay do whatever makes u happy. Then once we ordered our food, we declined having an appetizer and she said to us with attitude again: is that all? Like she wasn’t happy with us ordering just our current dishes. I have been to lots of different Mediterranean and Arab places, as well as specifically Lebanese restaurants. All have been excellent experiences always. This has by far been the rudest experience I have been to. She offered us no water or beverages, we had to ask for it and she gave us one water bottle for 3 people. The beef shawarma is aIright, the portion size is average and the flavor doesn’t meet the hype of the other reviews. When we were signing the check and doing the tip calculation, she was hovering next to us despite other patrons entering the building, she started giving us attitude when we asked her why is she standing so close to us and leaning over. I don’t want to give bad reviews but this is one in an awhile that’s should be addressed. First time here and will be the last time...

Friend and I stopped in to have a late lunch, July 28th, 2024, it was later in the afternoon. Place was kind of dark, went to use the bathroom no paper towels, minor detail at this point sat down, got menus older ladies were there. They were very polite came to the table we ordered the food was just not up to par, I said to my friend forget about ordering the extra takeout to bring home to his wife, I hope we don’t get sick, later that day I’m the one who got sick, I wish I didn’t have to write this review. I’ve always had good things about this restaurant while we were there. There was some kind of electrical problems in the kitchen , we heard sparks and flash this our experience order the salad for the two of us split with feta cheese and it was supposed to be dressed with olive oil. It was not had to ask for olive oil. The feta cheese was like whipped. I have never had feta cheese like that before. Maybe it didn’t taste right the vegetables were it tomatoes, especially at this time of year strawberries still had their vines attached to a split cut strawberry on the plate just not good. We paid our bill we tipped we both shook our head and said we should’ve left when we got here. I will never go back to that but that’s just the way it was, sorry to have to write this...

Alright, today I was craving a Kunafa and I saw this place on Google. I walked in after a man and his son walk in. There was a lady sitting down on her computer as if this was an accountant’s office and not a restaurant. She asks what the man and the son want - they seem to be regular customers - and demands cash since according to her the man’s order was less than 20. And I keep looking at her - standing there - she completely ignores me. I walked to the front where the menus are - look at the menu - then sat down waiting since she seemed like she was busy on that computer. No questions asked, no good afternoon, no what would u like to order, no welcome. Nothing. I walked out after 10 min there. Worst ABSOLUTE worst customer service. I’ve never walked into a food place without having a person welcome me. As the new customer - i won’t be here pleading to be “served” or “asked”...