Layalena Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in South San Francisco

Let's set the scene for a moment, shall we?

How did you end up here, at this charming restaurant hidden away in Commercio-Industrial Center™? Perhaps you, a strong and independent individual, had thought to yourself - 'self, our AirBnB is super close to the airport... I bet we could walk it and save ourselves the money for an Uber. After all, we only have our small carry-on bags.' Perhaps - totally hypothetically - you took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in the middle of a commercial produce center. You wind your way around, and eventually manage to extricate yourself from the warehouses. To the absolute relief of your growling stomach, you spot a single solitary restaurant between a bunch of auto shops and truck rentals. Will it be good? Who knows... But you need a break, somewhere to charge your phone, and by golly a bite to eat. Any sort of sweet relief will do at this point.

You've been on flights for the last 20 hours because of international travel and layovers. You're famished for something that wasn't convection ovened on a plane. Somewhat indecisive, you get both an appetizer sampler platter and a beef and lamb shawarma wrap. It will probably be a bit more than you can finish, but you can always bring some leftovers back to the AirBnB after all.

The sampler platter comes out first. Uh oh… Maybe it will be a bit more than you can finish, you said? This platter alone is enough to feed you two or three times over. Hoooly future foodbaby, Batman. Well, go ahead and dig in. And…

1 thing 2 say 3 words 4 you… “I love you.” Good gracious is this stuff good. Every single one of the appetizers – grape leaves, falafel, labneh, hummus, tabouleh – SO so good. Huh?? They even gave you baba ghanouj when it wasn’t listed as part of the platter? Heck yeah you’ll have some. The generous pile of pita they gave disappears bit by bit. Even the falafel – which you sometimes worry about as lots of places seem to have bland and/or dry falafel – is absolutely stellar. Crispy on the outside, soft inside, and loaded with flavor just like everything else in front of you. You stuff yourself, barely making a dent in the platter, maybe 1/3 of it is gone. And then you realize… You also ordered that wrap, didn’t you?

It comes out, and you politely accept it, but gingerly approach it as you’re already quite well satiated. But you’ve got room for some of it at least, maybe a few mouthfuls. You take a bite… Flavor… Flavor flavor flavor. Absolutely delicious. You pause, and that eureka epiphany moment hits you… What if you pair the wrap with the platter? Hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, tabouleh, those would all go great with the wrap, wouldn’t they? Yes, yes they would. Before you know it, the entire wrap is gone. Admittedly, it was more modest portions than the massive appetizer platter. But it was still a decent amount itself. And the platter has gone from 1/3 consumed to now 1/2 consumed. It starts to sink in just how full you are. You’re about ready to burst, absolutely busting at the seams. Welp… Time to shamelessly ask for some to-go containers. You’re not leaving any uneaten food behind. Not even the pickled turnips.

In the end, you order the Uber to bring you to your AirBnb. You can’t possible walk there anymore even though it’s now only a mile or so away. You...

I have been a loyal customer since your restaurant opened and have always appreciated the excellent service and high-quality food. Unfortunately, my recent visit with friends was a significant disappointment. We had a reservation for a group of eight, and after being seated, I ordered my usual favorite, the back-home style shawarma. Several of my friends ordered the same dish. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, with only two other tables occupied, it took over 45 minutes for our food to arrive. This long wait was surprising given how quiet the restaurant was, and the service was far from ideal. To make matters worse, after the extended wait, the waiter informed me that the restaurant had run out of French fries, a key part of the shawarma meal. I was frustrated that this wasn’t mentioned when we placed our order. Had I been informed earlier, I could have chosen an alternative side. The server offered to replace the fries with two sides, which I accepted, expecting a smooth process. However, it took another 15 minutes for a small portion of tabbouleh and a tiny serving of hummus, barely the size of a ketchup cup, to arrive. To make up for the inconvenience, the server offered a complimentary plate of knafeh. Unfortunately, when it finally arrived, what should have been a delicious dessert was inedible, the cheese had the texture of melted plastic, completely ruining the dish. To add to the unpleasant experience, the constant slamming of doors throughout the restaurant made it impossible to relax. The loud noise was disruptive and unprofessional, adding to the overall dissatisfaction with the evening. What should have been a comfortable and enjoyable meal turned into a stressful and chaotic experience. The waitstaff were preoccupied with socializing and rarely checked on our table, yet they still added a 20% service charge, which felt undeserved given the lackluster service. The lack of communication, long wait time, and diminished service were unacceptable, especially considering the restaurant was not busy. I hope this feedback helps in improving your service and preventing future disappointments for loyal customers...

Dahab promises a delightful journey through Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of exotic flavors. Recently, I had the pleasure of dining there with friends, eager to explore their menu and unwind with some hookah. Upon entering Dahab, we were greeted by a warm, inviting ambiance adorned with subtle Middle Eastern decor. The seating was comfortable, offering both indoor and outdoor options that catered to various preferences. The highlight of our evening was undoubtedly the food. Dahab excels in delivering authentic Mediterranean dishes that are both flavorful and satisfying. We started with a meze platter featuring hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel, each dish bursting with freshness and the right balance of herbs and spices. For mains, the grilled lamb kebabs were tender and succulent, paired perfectly with fragrant rice and a side of grilled vegetables. Vegetarian options like the stuffed grape leaves were equally impressive, showcasing the chef's skill in blending textures and tastes. Adding to the experience, Dahab offers a variety of hookah flavors, which we enjoyed post-meal in the outdoor seating area. The service was prompt, and the staff was knowledgeable in guiding us through their selection. Service at Dahab was friendly and attentive throughout our visit. Our server was happy to explain the menu and provide recommendations based on our preferences, enhancing our dining experience. In conclusion, Dahab offers more than just a meal; it offers an immersive culinary journey through the Mediterranean. Whether you're a connoisseur of Mediterranean cuisine or simply looking to unwind with friends over good...