Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine — Restaurant in Pinecrest

I must say, this experience was overall very good. Unfortunately, one aspect left a sour taste in our mouths. I will elaborate on this. I write my reviews in order of the experience...so come along for the read!

We were looking for a nice place to eat in the area, and came across this place...it had a nice looking menu and great reviews, so we were confident.

Parking is ample and free, it's a shared lot with other businesses. Many which are restaurants.

We walked in and we're gestured to sit where we wanted, so we chose a table. Soon, we were greeted by a woman. She was very kind. She was able to answer questions for us, make suggestions and took our order.

We enjoyed everything we received! It was very tasty. We felt a single plate was priced a lot higher than comparable restaurants, after seeing the quantity of food, but since it was our first experience there, we didn't know what to expect. They had plenty of sides that we ordered, etc, so we were fed well.

What left the sour taste in our mouths was the fact that we felt the staff (potentially owner) helped their selves to our money. What I mean by this is we provided cash and we're waiting for change. She came back and then told us "the tip has already been included". At first, I wasn't sure what that meant (was she waiving it? Did she take it from the money we provided?) anyways, upon reviewing our receipt, surely there was a 20% gratuity assessed.

The problem here is that the 20% gratuity policy is for parties of 5+. We were two people. What hurts is that it should not have been handled that way and instead, they should have let us tip them. While our tip would have been similar to what she took, without permission, it is the principle here that makes me have to share this experience.

So please note, I gave this place 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, because I truly feel they provided a nice service (mostly), and great tasting food. I did feel the need to share though, in complete.

Thank you...

This is the first review I have ever written. I wish it could be positive but I was so disappointed. I was at this Restaurant last night with my family and all excited to try something new. I am not from the Kendall area but was visiting a close relative who was staying at a hotel close by the restaurant who was here on a business trip and who joined us for dinner. My family was not too happy to go here but after I read the positive reviews I managed to convince them to give it a shot. We all left very disappointed with an unfulfiling meal and an overpriced check. The falafel would have been good with the exception of the sour taste which ruined it. The hummus was way over rated from the reviews I read. The salad which comes with the meal tasteless and so was the rice which was also flavorless. The kabobs were okay but I expected more flavor, I had the lamb. The chicken kabob had a sour taste and my son couldn't finish it. The beef kabob tasted the best of all. The garlic shrimp was decent but also had a sour taste which took away from the flavour. The portions are not that great for the price of the meal. It doesn't bother me to spend a bit more on a meal that truly satisfies. But not one person in my family enjoyed the food here and were all disappointed. Especially when the only thing on our plates that was fairly descent was the meat. The salad and rice we could barely eat because of the lack of flavour so we didn't finish it and I really hate wasting food. So really our meal was just 6 cubes of meat each which ranged from $20 to $24. Overall I feel like I wasted my money on in this restaurant. I will not go back. I am wondering how all the positive reviews made it here. Did we eat at...

Smallest portions, not worth the insane price points. 5 appetizer combo was $50 was barely a pound of food. For $50 you expect to at least get a meal's worth. After delivery it was $70 for what you see in the picture (after we ate). Still $56 in food was only 3 small styrofoams, one 6oz tub of hummus, and one tin of rice? Never again, feel completely ripped off. Try Aladdin's in Kendall, huge portions and cheaper.

Also those $10 arayes are literally see through. Not sure who packed them but if I was this restaurant owner I'd be embarrassed. More meat in one soft taco from taco bell than the entire order here.

Tabouleh wasn't marinated at all. Lemon juice came on the side, which after trying it in around 60 places all along i-10 and i-95 I've never seen.

Grape leaves were hand rolled which was nice, definitely not out of a can.

Lentil rice had deep fried onions complete with French fry taste (gross). Supposed to be pan caramelized, and to not be while this expensive? Pathetic.

Hummus and grape leaves were the only good things. Hummus I would even say was very good with the meaty bits on top.

Still, at that price, I'll never order here again. Not even a meal for two. Could have gotten more food with two shawarma wraps from literally anywhere else for 1/2 the price.

Can't accurately rate atmosphere because I didn't go, so provided a 5-star to be nice.

Happy to talk to whoever if somebody wants to reach out, all-in-all save your money and...