Layaly

by Jen L.

Tony and I just stumbled upon this place while driving down Clement, trying to find some place to eat at before heading to the beach.  We took a look at the menu posted outside and as soon as we spotted a "People Love Us On Yelp" sticker, we were convinced.We came here for lunch, and  their lunch special prices are very reasonable.  We ordered the Meza Platter to share, Tony got the Grilled Eggplant Sandwich, and I ordered the Falafel.  The presentation of the food is really nice, but my falafel could have used a little more flavor.  I took a bite out of Tony's eggplant sandwich though, and it was delicious.  If I wasn't feeling pretty full from the meze platter and pita bread, I probably would've swiped his plate.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

by Katushka O.

The food was delicious. I had the stuffed eggplant and lentil soup. The soup had an olive oil drizzle and lemon wedge on the side. I've never had lemon juice with lentil soup before, and now I don't think I'd have it any other way. I'm a vegetarian who usually avoids eggplant, but I'm glad I tried it. The flavors of the tomatoes, onions, and feta were subtle and delicious while not over-powering. The mint tea was also perfect for the cold day. I'm definitely coming back and trying more food and the hookah lounge!

by Jennifer U.

LOVE this place. Great food, great apps, great service. Clean restaurant, and the service is wonderful.I loved their rice pudding, and really enjoyed their fish special.  I will go here again - it's one of my new faves!

by betty l.

Why isn't this place more packed?  The food was great here.  The place is clean and comfortable.  The staff are very nice.  I shared a baba ghounouj with warm triangles of pita bread and had the Layaly burger - ground beef and lamb with lettuce, tomato and a side salad and yogurt sauce.  M. got the mixed grill and it was good but I think mine was better!  Great for lunch or dinner.

by Leslie R.

Have only been here once - Best falafel sandwich in the City. period.

by Ashley W.

So my friends and I have heard marvelous things about this place, especially since the new owners have taken over.  We decided to go finally after our hookah craving was becoming unbearable to live with.  Boy were we glad to make the drive over there.  The restaurant itself is charming, inviting and perfectly lit. One of the nicest waitresses that I had ever had made sure that everything was just right, including waterglass always full, wine glass always full and pita bread galore.  The food did not disappoint either and man was there plenty of it. I asked the owner, who came over a few times to make sure everything was alright, what his favorite dish was and ordered that. A beautiful melding of lamb and beef on a skewer, grilled to perfection with an array of grilled vegies was magnificent and I could see why he loved it as well.  My friends got the Ahi tuna seared salad, which should not go unmissed. At 9 pm the hookah came to our table and we could not help but try to invite ever waitstaff person to join us...they graciously denied us, but just the fact that we felt like we were old friends in this new place gave us the motivation to visit again and again. In short if your looking for fantastic service, phenomenal food, delicious hookah and penny pinching prices, DO IT.

by Vicky L.

I have one thing to say about this place: Om nom nom nom.This place is clean, the service is excellent, and the food is absolutely delicious.  The lunch specials are a great deal, but the dinners are a little expensive, hence the one star off.Their hummus is freaking amazing.  Kebabs are also wonderful.  The best part by far?  Their dessert.  My friend and I had no idea what we wanted, so we told our waitress to surprise us, and she brought us some baklava (some of the BEST I've ever had) and the tres leches cake, which was a-ma-zing.I'm sad that the place doesn't get much business.  It's a clean place with great service and food.

by Vithiet K.rock goddess a.Stacy J.Anya W.

I live nearby and wanted to try for a while...  the girlfriend and I know nothing about Mediterranean food so we were always hesitant, but we finally went in yesterday.It was empty, but then again, it was 3.30pm on a Tuesday. The server was nice enough to explain the food.The only thing in the menu that looked familiar was fried calamari; I wanted to order it, but he told us they discontinued it because it was not popular. Well, good thing because they now have a shrimp appetizer instead with a white wine sauce and some other herbs and feta cheeze and it was excellent!Then we got what I believe is typical Mediterranean food: a chicken kebab plate and a shrimp on a stick plate also. Both very good. It comes with a little yummy salad and some rice; we usually frown upon any rice that is not Thai jasmine rice, but this was really good.I tried some Turkish coffee at the end, which I have never had before. It's good, but strong (even though I like strong coffee) and they were nice enough to give me a cup of extra hot water and an extra cup so I could let my girlfriend try a little.I wouldn't say it's cheap, but prices are more than fair for that amount and quality of food. They told us they have a Hookah lounge in the back but we didn't have time to check it out... oh well, I guess we're just gonna have to come back then!I love that this thing was listed under the category of 'hookah bars'.  doesn't smell like one, and every time i've been here, i've never seen anyone bust out a hookah.  But what do I know?  I know this!It's meh/A-ok.  But not 'meh' enough for me to say, don't go.  If you're coming out of your neighborhood to get Mediterranean, or you've got no experience with Mediterranean, come here once, but find a place that tops this, which I'm sure SF has.  Excellent Mediterranean food is worth finding.  HOWEVER, if you live in the neighborhood and want to eat something with lots of vegetably goodness and not a lot of fat sliding all over your plate, here is the spot.  Portions are not so huge that you leave this place feeling like an insta-self-made-type-ii-diabetic. Atmosphere is ok, nothing amazing.  Beer selection totally totally totally meh.  However red wine selection decent and not a complete rip off.  So there you have it.Quickie review after the change in ownership: same food, same menu for now, but about a 1/3 more food. Figuring its about $15+ for a kebob plate, that's a welcome change.And they deliver now! Whoo! Meat on sticks to my door! There was literally nobody inside on Sunday around 2p. The interior lights were off, even, I was… Fantastic.  Everything just fantastic.  Went on a weeknight, so it was pretty empty  (which I never mind...empty=better service)  Got the Borek-fried fillo dough stuffed with feta cheese and parsley.  Seriously, if that description doesn't get you, let me say that this was possibly one of the best things I have ever eaten.  I dreamed about it for night afterwards.  Also got the Layaly Mix Grill-kofte, chicken, beef, lamb and shrimp.  Very good quality meats, nice grilled flavor, and excellent spices.  That being said, I am not a huge huge meat fan, though my companion is.  He loved everything on this platter.  Personally, I could have just have like 8 orders of the Borek.After dinner we went into the back for some hookah.  Totally different atmosphere.  Very relaxed, with group of arabic guys sitting around playing cards.  Projection screen with the arabic top 40 music videos playing.  We got ourselves a deck of cards, ordered a hookah (with Lemon Mint Shisha. Good, I also recommend the watermelon flavor) and tea.  I have to note, I am not a smoker, and I hate the feeling of smoking (cigs or other).  However, this is smooth, cool, and easy....as sign of a well packed hookah, which is an indication of a great hookah bar.  Well done. I think we sat there enjoying the atmosphere for over an hour.  Great way to spend an evening.(The only possibly complaint is that you are not allowed to eat where you smoke.  Oh well, I guess it is a permit issue)

by Nam N.

super clean, nice, and friendly! restaurants in areas like these are so great because they are never too busy, parking is easy, and the food is amazing! well, any kind of food drenched with hummus is good to me.

by Zach D.

I finally found great Mediterranean food in SF. Awesome food, fair prices and good service. The Chicken Pita sandwich served at lunchtime is excellent. A generous portion of white meat chicken rolled into 2 crisp servings of pita, makes this one of my favorite sandwiches in the city. Two thumbs up!