by josh r.

it is hard to imagine a more disappointing experience.  my girlfriend and i ordered a salad, a small appetizer, and hummus for take out.  the bill was something like $30 for almost no food and the hummus was like soup.  it was the worst hummus i have ever had.  it was one of those rare experiences where the food was so bad and so expensive you felt as if the restaurant had actually STOLEN from you.   if you are interested in smoking a houka, shouk is probably fine; atmosphere inside the restaurant is fantastic. if you are interested in even remotely decent food, go somewhere else.  blech.

by Patrick M.

I almost one starred Shouk, but then I remembered I should be reviewing the food and not the hookah.That said, I had the worst hookah of my entire life at Shouk.  I dated a FOB Egyptian for four years.  I've spent a month in Egypt.  I've been to every hookah bar in Astoria.  I know a good hookah, and I know a terrible hookah.  The pipe on the first hookah we got had very obviously not been cleaned in years.  And before anyone who spends too much time on the internet tells me that well-worn hookahs are the best (and they are), I'm talking about the pipe, not the bowl.  The pipe should NEVER be dusty.  If I was really feeling like a dick I could have taken it off and blown an inch of soot over everything in a six foot radius of my table.  The waitress was understanding and brought a new one for us fairly quickly, but seriously, this is simple stuff.  They're making money hand over fist putting less than two bucks of tobacco and coal in an ancient pipe and charging twenty bucks for it, but they can't bother to do basic maintenance.  It also makes me wonder how many people have been smoking out of these crappy, dirty pipes and thinking that's how hookah always is.Moving on, the food is OK and on the expensive side.  The beer list is small and unimaginative.  The bar in the back has a very, very cliquey feel to it.  Go here if you need someone else to provide the atmosphere for your date, but make sure she doesn't have any taste first.  If she does, she'll see right through you.

by Mallory P.

I have been to Shouk twice now, and the second time was actually for my birthday.  The first time we went for food, and were a bit disappointed... for what you pay for it, you'd think it would be a little more authentic.  If you're looking for an authentic middle eastern dining experience, do NOT go to Shouk.  The dishes are from Ikea, the food is good, but not something you can't get at a diner (btw, what's up with diners being so greek?!), and the staff isn't foreign at all.  The music is RADIOHEAD, etc.  So it's a cool place, but not a traditional hookah bar or whatever.The drinks are FANCY, but expensive.  The mint/cardamom/rum tea is really good but it's just a tiny little shot for $3.  On the weekends the place is like a dance club with no room to dance!  I'm not hookah crazy (insert shout out to Adam C and his treatese on hookahs), so Shouk's only allure, for me, is that it's close to home and it's sort of a novelty.  Something different than the old routine.  A fun place to get drunk with a $24 entertainment supplement called a hookah.

by Rachel F.

I went to Shouk for an anniversary dinner on a Sunday night, and it was delightful. There were enough people so it didn't feel creepily empty, but few enough customers that it wasn't noisy and the service was still really good. My favorite dish was the haloumi cheese appetizer--a middle eastern cheese that can be pan fried into tangy, oily, incredible bites. Hookah is the real reason to go to Shouk, especially on a slow night. There is nothing better than relaxing after a big meal and passing hookah back and forth. Our entrees were aclso excellent, though I found their beef to be tastier than their lamb. The only thing I wish I would have passed on is the cardamon and rum tea--it just wasn't very tasty. Their drinks are good, though you might want to order your own if you don't like all the sweet cocktails on their menu.

by Sid U.

I'll give it 3 stars instead of 2 because I maintain *hope* for this place. I've been there 3 times. The first time it was great. We got quick attention and all our requests were promptly satisfied. The second time, it was a little more crowded, and the service suffered. I forgave them, understanding that service can be affected by a crowd. The third time, I left in a huff because the service was outrageously bad. (If you read all my reviews, you'll see that I believe that shisha requires dedicated staff to tend to the coals.) The shisha is decent to good.The service is very hit or miss, which is not an acceptable characteristic of service. The drinks are okay, if you ever get them.The atmosphere and music are really great.Please, Shouk, don't let me down again or you shall lose me forever. [play dramatic sad music]

by S K.

The atmosphere is exceptionally cool, the food however, was exceptionally blah for the price. I've had better hummus from the supermarket. And that's sad. Every other salad was okay. Their pita kinda sucks too. Service was pretty sweet and the cocktails are a smidge strong (if you like strong they got quite a few for you). Besides the hookahs, I don't get what the big whoop is about this place. Wanna smoke flavored tobacco from a big fancy bong? Go to Shouk. Want good middle eastern food? Go around the corner to Mama's Grill and save the rest of your money for a rainy day.

by Louise W.

Lauren H. seems to have covered it all very well, so it's hard to add anything here. I recommend the cauliflower dish, which I have tried and failed to recreate in my kitchen. The secret ingredient is ketchup, folks, if that helps. Buddha Bar-type music adds to the lounge feel, as does the low lighting. This is a great place to eat family-style with friends, not least because you'll want to try everything on the menu, but would also make a fantastic place for a date.

by Kass H.

I am not a smoker but for some reason I really enjoy a hookah now and then. This place is cute, although if you do not smoke cigarettes, I suggest you go on a weekday,  Mon-Thurs. Otherwise, between the cigarettes and hookahs, your eyes are blood shot and you feel like you dumped all of  Shouk's ashtrays on your clothes and hair. Oh, and the food is nothing great. I would eat at  Southwark and then wonder over for a late night toke.

by Jim M.

I finally went here last night after my unsucessfull attempt to get service at Manny Brown's(I refuse to wait over 5 minutes when no one even bothers to look at me when I"m staring point blank at the service staff). But I digress.Shouk has a very nice atmosphere and very nice decorations. The music was a little annoying but that's just because I"m not into the music they were playing. At least they did have a variety playing. What annoyed me straight off the bat the most was that the seats were all very low. It was like sitting in those grade school chair as an adult. not only that but the tables were low so I couldn't fit my legs under very easily.I ordered the rosemary beef and olive tapenade skewer. The beef was tasty and had plenty of seasoning. The olive tapenade also was tasty. However, that was freaking it. 14 bucks for 4 pieces of meat with olive tapenade.  I could have bought a double whopper, some olive tapenade spread and saved at least 4 bucks. I can't believe they didn't serve rice, vegetables, or something in addition.If you feel like spending dollars and not getting filled up, go here. Oh yeah and my pepsi was FLAT. I should have gone to the place next door. At least they had hot women sitting around. And maybe I would have gotten a decent meal.

by Adam C.

Shouk.  As in, sHOUKA.  I mean... sHOOKAH.  Ok, I don't really know what it means, but they sound the same. Shouk has hookahs.I went with my friends, not for a minute thinking that I would actually try smoking this thing.  Putting smoke into my lungs is anathema to me.  I've never even considered trying a cigarette.  So, when my group ordered a peach flavored hookah, I still thought there was no chance.But, after a discussion on smoke rings, and every human's desire to pretend to be the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland (I've been trying to think of a good way to work in... 'Whoooooo.... R... UUUUUU?' but I can't seem to make it happen.), I tried it.I can't make smoke rings.  I mean, neither could anyone else, but I was still disappointed.  I was also disappointed in the hookah.  I mean, it's certainly not Shouk's fault, but I still don't get it.  What's the point?It wasn't as horrific as I thought it would be - it didn't make me gag or cough.  But it also didn't give me a 'buzz' or... anything at all.  And it didn't really taste like peach.  I guess it tasted vaguely like wood that smelled like peach. Or something.  In the end, I'd rather have peach-flavored alcohol. Or a peach flavored... peach.  Seriously.  A bowl of peaches.  I'd enjoy that more.  And there would be less chance of spreading herpes around the table.But, um... none of this has to do with Shouk, and this is supposed to be a review, not a treatise on hookahs, so... yeah, I liked the place.  I like the comfy seats, though I can never quite get used to the table being so low in Middle-Eastern places.  The food was good - we got the platter that was described to us as having 'everything on the menu'  - it did not.  Just so you know.  There were definitely things on the menu I was curious about trying that were not included.  And while it was a LOT of food, for the price (around $50), it was actually less food than I expected, and especially a lot less meat.  Plenty of different dips, but only a couple pieces each of lamb and chicken.The DJ the night I was there was awesome.  Don't know his name, but everything he played was a mashup - two songs overlayed.  It was a huge variety - oldies merged with oldies, oldies merged with modern songs, rap and alternative... it was not overbearing, and very interesting to listen to.  You could still have a conversation, but it was fun to just stop and listen.What else... well, while I was there, I saw two people hooking up more hardcore than I've ever seen in public.  We're not just talking making out... if their lips weren't locked, hers was on his neck, and he was sucking her fingers... it was nuts!  And, apparently, acceptable, so... I dunno.  If your apartment is being fumigated and you need a place to get it on, Shouk seems to be a decent choice.Ok.  Good food.  Kind of pricey for the portions.  Alcohol. Pointless Lewis Carrol role-playing.  Pretty decent place to come in a small group and chill.

by Lauren H.

Shouk is a true gem, tucked away just off of South Street. The food, an Israeli/Mediterranean mix is both affordable and delicious. The tapas-style menu offers a series of small appetizers and large entrees that are perfect for sharing. The menu changes daily, but here are a few must-haves: the labaneh, a yogurt-cheese dip ($7) ; the hummus with pine nuts ($5); the pomegranate chicken skewers, which come with spicy Israeli fries and grilled asparagus ($17), and the wheat/barley/fig salad ($12).Shouk, formerly a BYOB, now also offers an assortment of cocktails, beer, and wine. My friends and I walked six blocks from the subway in a torrential downpour, and the hard mint tea ($4) warmed me up instantly, and in combination with the amazing food, made me forget that my pants were completely soaked through. One of my friends opted for the Turkish coffee ($3), which was fragrant and rich.The restaurant has two areas - a downstairs dining area, with warm orange walls and mosaic tiled tables with red couches in lieu of chairs, all lit by multi-colored lanterns. Upstairs is the sheesha lounge, which is available for private parties, but also for dining. One of my friends held her 21st birthday up there and maintains it was one of the best nights of her life. You can also smoke hookah in the downstairs area. The prices have gone up in the past year (one hookah is $17), but there are a variety of flavors - I recommend Mixed Fruit or Mango.Overall, the ambiance was delightfully chill and mellow, the wait staff friendly and attentive. The first time I came to Shouk with a friend, we were upstairs in the lounge, and the chef came up and talked with us for a bit, making sure that we liked everything. It's one of my treasured Philadelphia finds.

by Annie B.

This is a great place for a party or special occasion.  The best part, though, is that even though it's a hookah lounge, too, it was not at all smoky when I went.  My party of 9 was seated at the front, which seemed like a default non-smoking section, so if you are in the mood for tasty food but don't want to partake in a hookah (or smell the smoke from others' hookahs) I would request a spot in front.Our waitress was charming and attentive without hovering. Our party got two tasting platters, one with meat and one vegetarian, which was just enough food for everyone to feel satisfied without feeling bloated and overstuffed.  The hummus was delicious and the rice pilav was seriously flavorful.  Although I didn't get to taste them, everyone else raved about the cauliflower bites.The cocktails are a little pricy, but not really more expensive than standard. It's really only shocking if you're not used to going out and getting cocktails on a regular basis, which none of us really are.  But the pomegranate martini was delicious.  The food I will say without qualification was overpriced.  It was definitely good, but not amazing.  For a group of over-educated, underpaid professionals, it was definitely an expensive night out. If you're in grad school or work for a non-profit or some similar industry, Shouk should probably be saved for once in a while.

by jenn h. h.

I really enjoyed this place when I stopped by the other night for a drink.  Since it was a weeknight, there were barely any people there.  The place is small and beautifully decorated in a tasteful way, but with still just the right ethnic touches.  I didn't eat nor did I partake of any smoking, so I can't tell you how that was. I sat in the upstairs lounge which is small but in a cozy way.  The staff is nice and helpful and friendly.  While there are cushions upstairs, the padding is quite thin, so I recommend sitting on some of the pillows or your ass will start to hurt, especially if you have a bony one like mine.  The place has great ambiance and isn't noisy so you can talk.  I would definitely come back here!

by matthew l.

Shouk seems to fly under the radar for cool places and they don't seem to mind for as a hookah lounge, I'm certain it has its strong following.  As such, smoke sensitive friends may not appreciate it. The cocktails are different and well prepared and delicious though not cheap which is expected.  The decor is pretty in a minimalist harem kind of way. Very appealing and comfortable and the lighting is extraordinary in how it is bright while being romantically dim and is, I'm certain the work of a lighting maven.  The food is excellent with the hummus among the best in the city and the tasting plates for carnivores and vegetarians a must.

by Jillian A.

I always loved Shouk.  My experiences there have generally included really delicious cocktails that tend to knock me on my ass, great atmosphere and quality hookahs.The most recent time I was there was on a first date.  I picked it for the occasion because it has an intimate atmosphere and how better to get to know someone other than over hookah cocktails?  Well, the table we were sat at was unsturdy and we kept knocking the table with our legs, endangering the drinks and hookah.  At a point in the night, the music the live DJ was spinning got so loud that we were literally screaming across the table to each other.We returned to the place later in the night to find the same type of music; however we were sitting in a much more comfortable booth.Ultimately, as long as the music isn't blasting and you're not sitting at one of the two-person tables up against the wall, you're good.Oh, I have to mention, the service is totally dependent on the person.  One of the servers is the best of the best and one of them, I wouldn't give another penny to.Oh Shouk...I love you anyway.

by Chenai G.

So, Shouk lounge. What do I say. The one star they get is for ambience and good music, which quite frankly, you can get if you sit at  home , turn on your radio, light some candles and have some friends over. Or just buy your own hookah. The service is terrible. It takes them forever to come and get your order, and they barely pay attention to you when you need a drink replenished. They never pick up their phone, so you can't tell if they will be open or not on any given night. Sometimes they say they will be open and you go over and they don't open. The tobacco we got was about 14 bucks and we paid 5 bucks for the coal. There were two of us smoking at a moderate pace and the hookah was done in about an hour. It seemed quick. We were thinking about replenishing it, but the waiter who was clearly not interested in serving us any more than he had already - already being taking out order once and watching us chew on our straws - came by and took it away. Then he just brough the tab. Who brings the tab without having asked if people are okay, or trying to see if they are done at the very least.The sound system was not good. It's good for smokers, as in cigarettes, cause you can smoke there.The drinks are expensive, like 9 bucks each. They were good, made strong by the bartender.

by sara c.

Shouk is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and romantic spots to go in the city.  Two floors of comfy couches, candles, dark colors, and friendly servers provide a most incredible experience.  I cannot say much for the food, as I have only had the hummus, which was incredible.  I hear that everything is delicious.  As for the drinks, well, I certainly explored the menu.  My favorite cocktail was the French 75 - a delicious concoction of champagne, lemon, and cognac.  Pure bliss.  The shisha was wonderful - mixed fruit is a personal favorite as it seems to suit everyone's tastes - and they were happy to replace coals when needed.Shouk isn't cheap, for those who are working with a small budget like myself - but it's still cheaper than Rittenhouse's Byblos, and not to mention, much MUCH better.  Do not miss this place.  Look for the plain sign with a hookah.

by Catherine F.

Hip, moody, cozy interior.  If your date is too cool for school, take them here.  But be ready to splurge on the pricey drinks- though delicious they'll set you back around 10 bucks.We went late on a saturday night and had trouble getting the servers' attention due to the busy state they were in.  But when we did succeed the servers were friendly and prompt.Not my style as it's really for the girly-drinks-with-an-edge crowd but the shisha was tasty and actually nicely priced.  I'd come here again for a birthday or some such special occasion but as I'm partial to a cheap beer at a dive most nights of the week, I can't say I'll be back to Shouk anytime soon.

by Katie L.

Want a nice night on South Street? This place is perfect! I first went to this place two years ago and I really enjoy it a lot. I've gone there with friends, out of towners, even on dates and each time I have had a great experience. The food is excellent! When I went they had these potatoes, very simple, with herds on them that I got everytime. Their hummus was good and the pita was warm and fresh! My friends have tried a varitety of the other food on the menu and I didn't hear one complaint. Their drinks are very reasonably priced and delicious. The wait staff is awesome and very friendly. The only problem was the price of the hookah was a bit mroe expensive then I am use to paying, but when you go with a large enough crowd and you only need one hookah, spliting the cost isn't so bad at all. So try it... I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

by Bill M.

Went here for my friends birthday gathering on Friday night and in a lot of ways Shouk lived up to my expectations. I'm not a tobacco smoker so I can't comment on the hookah experience. But the food, drinks, and overall ambiance was pretty awesome!Our party was seated in the upper lounge portion so we kind of rolled V.I.P. style amid fluffy red pillows and dim wooden decor. The food is pretty much Middle Eastern tapas so expect your portions to be on the small side. My grilled eggplant was excellent but not $9 excellent, especially since it only came with two slices of eggplant. But the lamb kabob with yogurt dressing was incredible, and the blue margarita I picked up was the bomb!For the first and probably only time McThrill is actually going to complain about good music (gasp!). In most other situations listening to a DJ spins a well rounded mix of hip hop, electronic, Sublime, and G Love would perfectly be my thing, and chances are my butt would be moving. But when a group of people are lounging around to hookah and good food it seemed more than a little out of place and unnecessary. They should definitely bring in some music that goes with the overall ambiance instead.

by Renee M.

CLOSED?!?  Even found on street parking Sat night (7/25/09).  Window papered over.   Door locked.  This killed my Absinthe buzz. My friend and I had so much fun here!  We were the only ones in the place for awhile which was great…

by Chris Y.

This place fell way, way short of my yelped up expectations. Actually, the poor quality and service I experienced would have been enough to violate even the lowest of expectations. -) I had to hunt down a server to figure out where my party could sit. Were we supposed to seat ourselves? I'm still not sure. Anyway, the place wasn't crowded, so this didn't take so long.-) Seated, now wait....-) A little longer....-) Oh, there you are. Yes, I'll have a melon hookah and a pot of mint tea. -) Our server brings the hookah to the table and starts pulling on the hose to get it going for us. I could tell that she knew something was wrong, but she left us with it anyway. There was almost no suction at all, and after tampering with it myself for a while and fixing a few things, I realized that the inner tubing of the hose is completely broken. I don't even know how that happens...-) Couldn't find my server for a while, so I eventually had to pull a different server aside to ask for a replacement hose. Dude drops off a replacement, and what do you know -- still no suction. I take out the hose, cover one end and blow through the other, and yeah, the thing really leaked too much to be useful. -) Asked my server for yet another hose, and I think by this point it seemed we were being treated like a bunch of over-sensitive hookah snobs. Look, I know this lounge gets pretty busy and countless clueless customers probably abuse the hell out of the equipment, but come on. I'm familiar with those hoses -- they retail for $5 and I'm sure lounges can get them for much cheaper. -) By now we've got a functioning hookah, only half a coal left burning, and we tried to make the best of it. The tea was nice, the atmosphere had a likable combination of exoticism and cozy homeliness, but my legs weren't even close to fitting under the rickety table that gyrated all over the place every time I bumped it. -) The hookah's kicked and we're not interested enough to see about getting a replacement coal sans the $5 charge listed on the menu. The wait for the check was long enough for me to start considering leaving without paying. The servers were unapologetic.I was eager to give this place a shot because I had heard it was better and cheaper than Byblos. Better quality? No. Better service? No. Better selection? No. Better atmosphere? That really just depends on what you're in the mood for. It might be cheaper, but not by too much. $17 for a hookah will never seem right to me -- even by retail prices, you're only using about 25 cents worth of the cheapest shisha tobacco money can buy, 25 cents worth of charcoal and 25 cents worth of plastic mouth tips. And the cost of labor, how much can that be? They didn't even bother to use a grommet to connect the hose to the stem. I understand that many people come there just to smoke, and that the $17 charge is probably more to cover the time spent occupying one of their tables than the materials and labor. But even if that's the case, they need to find some way to make it seem a little more worthwhile...Anyway, after having to apologize to my group for suggesting Shouk, I decided I won't be going back.

by Andy S.

I've only been to Shouk and Byblos in Philly for hookah lounges, but this beats out Byblos.  At least this place is cheaper and the service isn't awful.The place has a good location right off of the South St. area.  It has a nice ambience.  The music is generally background music and not too loud, which is good for a hookah place.The hummus platter is good, but I haven't tried much food.  The pomegranite martini is amazing.  The hard mint tea used to be good but they cut the size in half, so it's not worth it anymore.The hookah is good and not too expensive.  For hookhah in Philly, I prefer this place.

by JP S.

I just moved to Philadelphia from Miami, so I know my share of good and bad restaurants/lounges. I received a friend request from Shouk Lounge on MySpace and thought it looked like a cool place. So my roommates and I went to have dinner, drinks, and of course, a hookah. As soon as we got there, I immediately liked the decor and feel to the place. Its dimly lit with tons of candles. They have a bunch of art hanging on the wall, the music was a good selection of things I don't normally listen to, but like none the less. We ordered Israeli fries and these lentil fritters which were really good, but above all else, their Moroccan martini is AMAZING! If you come here, you MUST give it a try. I am not a martini person, but I was won over with this one. For dinner I had this steak with a thick olive paste on it which was really really good. If you like olives, you will love this! For our hookah, we ordered the melon flavor which was great and not very smoky to inhale... I'm not a smoker, but smoking out of a hookah was fun. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and helped us out with this whole hookah thing, since we were all new to it.  If you are looking for a nice romantic date place, Shouk is also great. If you and your date are ok with the smell of smoke and being around it, I would definitely recommend it! I have been back to Shouk many times to have drinks with friends, and I always order my Moroccan martini!I give it 5 stars!! *****-JP

by Dell P.

Looks like the place is kaput. It had degenerated from a cool restaurant to a BS hookah joint. No wonder it bit the dust.

by Michael M.

Slapped with a cease operations order, this place will not re-open.

by Kantiki J.

Firstly, Shouk is a hookah lounge. Anyone who doesn't smoke or even like the smell of it should steer clear... let alone write a review and blame their own choice of attending on the very nature of the place.The environment is plush, with ambient lighting and decorated with a Middle-Eastern vibe. The booths are nearer to the ground, true the an almost Moroccan style. To get one of my only two complaints out of the way, a more down-tempo (even trip-hop) selection of music would fit the atmosphere far better than their current selections.The food is excellent. Most Americans have adapted to the high-lemon, high-tahini content used in Grecian hummus. The hummus served at Shouk is a more North Israel (even Lebanese) variety, toning down the non-chickpea ingredients to allow the flavor of the toppings to shine thru. If Grecian hummus is a pickle, this hummus is a cucumber. Or, if you prefer a desert analogy, if Grecian hummus is cherry pie, this hummus is cherry cheesecake. Dig?There's really only two drink choices you should concern yourself with on the menu: what wine you are going to have along with your Turkish coffee? The coffee, true-to-form, is often served with cardamon seed for a hint of sweetness. As with any shisha experience, the flavor of both the coffee and the tobacco are enhanced by each other. The wine is for the meal.The hookahs... ah, the hookahs. They pack a good variety of shisha. If you came alone, you're in the wrong place. If you brought a group, you're just getting started. Smoking a night away at Shouk often brings you into contact with other tables, as well as into conversations with the workers (who will often sit down and really get to know your experience).To avoid the music and the crowds, simply show up around six or seven. The added attention you'll get should really take your experience to a new level.I mentioned there was one other complaint. The price really is a bit over what you want to pay. As Shouk is conveniently located right off of South Street, I have a good idea where their money is being sapped... but it makes the stop a bit painful... especially when you can't say "no".

by Sonalee R.

THIS PLACE IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.I walked in with two friends Friday night after reading about their $2 pomegranate martinis until 9pm. After having an odd experience with a rogue bartender at Tattooed Moms, we were seated close to the bar (which is always convenient) and Stephen introduced himself as our lovely host for the evening. We ordered a mixed fruit shisha ($17 + $5/coal after 1st) that he mixed fresh himself. We also ordered a hummus plate with cucumber and feta ($7 + 3 + 3) which was DELICIOUS! It came with warm grilled pita and pita chips. And as a final munchy snack for the three of us to share was their fabulous fries served with a cool mint yogurt dip (~$7). All in all we had a fabulous time and would recommend this atmosphere to small groups and those looking to have a great night on South street :)Please note: Do not bother being seated by ANYONE ELSE if you're planning on having a fantastically well-attended table and a personable experience. Stephen is a genuinely caring host who conveys the true meaning of jack of all trades. He didn't hesitate to warn or recommend us certain dishes, which shows true moral character.

by Sonalee R.Kantiki J.Michael M.

THIS PLACE IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.I walked in with two friends Friday night after reading about their $2 pomegranate martinis until 9pm. After having an odd experience with a rogue bartender at Tattooed Moms, we were seated close to the bar (which is always convenient) and Stephen introduced himself as our lovely host for the evening. We ordered a mixed fruit shisha ($17 + $5/coal after 1st) that he mixed fresh himself. We also ordered a hummus plate with cucumber and feta ($7 + 3 + 3) which was DELICIOUS! It came with warm grilled pita and pita chips. And as a final munchy snack for the three of us to share was their fabulous fries served with a cool mint yogurt dip (~$7). All in all we had a fabulous time and would recommend this atmosphere to small groups and those looking to have a great night on South street :)Please note: Do not bother being seated by ANYONE ELSE if you're planning on having a fantastically well-attended table and a personable experience. Stephen is a genuinely caring host who conveys the true meaning of jack of all trades. He didn't hesitate to warn or recommend us certain dishes, which shows true moral character.Firstly, Shouk is a hookah lounge. Anyone who doesn't smoke or even like the smell of it should steer clear... let alone write a review and blame their own choice of attending on the very nature of the place.The environment is plush, with ambient lighting and decorated with a Middle-Eastern vibe. The booths are nearer to the ground, true the an almost Moroccan style. To get one of my only two complaints out of the way, a more down-tempo (even trip-hop) selection of music would fit the atmosphere far better than their current selections.The food is excellent. Most Americans have adapted to the high-lemon, high-tahini content used in Grecian hummus. The hummus served at Shouk is a more North Israel (even Lebanese) variety, toning down the non-chickpea ingredients to allow the flavor of the toppings to shine thru. If Grecian hummus is a pickle, this hummus is a cucumber. Or, if you prefer a desert analogy, if Grecian hummus is cherry pie, this hummus is cherry cheesecake. Dig?There's really only two drink choices you should concern yourself with on the menu: what wine you are going to have along with your Turkish coffee? The coffee, true-to-form, is often served with cardamon seed for a hint of sweetness. As with any shisha experience, the flavor of both the coffee and the tobacco are enhanced by each other. The wine is for the meal.The hookahs... ah, the hookahs. They pack a good variety of shisha. If you came alone, you're in the wrong place. If you brought a group, you're just getting started. Smoking a night away at Shouk often brings you into contact with other tables, as well as into conversations with the workers (who will often sit down and really get to know your experience).To avoid the music and the crowds, simply show up around six or seven. The added attention you'll get should really take your experience to a new level.I mentioned there was one other complaint. The price really is a bit over what you want to pay. As Shouk is conveniently located right off of South Street, I have a good idea where their money is being sapped... but it makes the stop a bit painful... especially when you can't say "no".Slapped with a cease operations order, this place will not re-open.

by Sonalee R.Kantiki J.Michael M.Dell P.JP S.

THIS PLACE IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.I walked in with two friends Friday night after reading about their $2 pomegranate martinis until 9pm. After having an odd experience with a rogue bartender at Tattooed Moms, we were seated close to the bar (which is always convenient) and Stephen introduced himself as our lovely host for the evening. We ordered a mixed fruit shisha ($17 + $5/coal after 1st) that he mixed fresh himself. We also ordered a hummus plate with cucumber and feta ($7 + 3 + 3) which was DELICIOUS! It came with warm grilled pita and pita chips. And as a final munchy snack for the three of us to share was their fabulous fries served with a cool mint yogurt dip (~$7). All in all we had a fabulous time and would recommend this atmosphere to small groups and those looking to have a great night on South street :)Please note: Do not bother being seated by ANYONE ELSE if you're planning on having a fantastically well-attended table and a personable experience. Stephen is a genuinely caring host who conveys the true meaning of jack of all trades. He didn't hesitate to warn or recommend us certain dishes, which shows true moral character.Firstly, Shouk is a hookah lounge. Anyone who doesn't smoke or even like the smell of it should steer clear... let alone write a review and blame their own choice of attending on the very nature of the place.The environment is plush, with ambient lighting and decorated with a Middle-Eastern vibe. The booths are nearer to the ground, true the an almost Moroccan style. To get one of my only two complaints out of the way, a more down-tempo (even trip-hop) selection of music would fit the atmosphere far better than their current selections.The food is excellent. Most Americans have adapted to the high-lemon, high-tahini content used in Grecian hummus. The hummus served at Shouk is a more North Israel (even Lebanese) variety, toning down the non-chickpea ingredients to allow the flavor of the toppings to shine thru. If Grecian hummus is a pickle, this hummus is a cucumber. Or, if you prefer a desert analogy, if Grecian hummus is cherry pie, this hummus is cherry cheesecake. Dig?There's really only two drink choices you should concern yourself with on the menu: what wine you are going to have along with your Turkish coffee? The coffee, true-to-form, is often served with cardamon seed for a hint of sweetness. As with any shisha experience, the flavor of both the coffee and the tobacco are enhanced by each other. The wine is for the meal.The hookahs... ah, the hookahs. They pack a good variety of shisha. If you came alone, you're in the wrong place. If you brought a group, you're just getting started. Smoking a night away at Shouk often brings you into contact with other tables, as well as into conversations with the workers (who will often sit down and really get to know your experience).To avoid the music and the crowds, simply show up around six or seven. The added attention you'll get should really take your experience to a new level.I mentioned there was one other complaint. The price really is a bit over what you want to pay. As Shouk is conveniently located right off of South Street, I have a good idea where their money is being sapped... but it makes the stop a bit painful... especially when you can't say "no".Slapped with a cease operations order, this place will not re-open.Looks like the place is kaput. It had degenerated from a cool restaurant to a BS hookah joint. No wonder it bit the dust.I just moved to Philadelphia from Miami, so I know my share of good and bad restaurants/lounges. I received a friend request from Shouk Lounge on MySpace and thought it looked like a cool place. So my roommates and I went to have dinner, drinks, and of course, a hookah. As soon as we got there, I immediately liked the decor and feel to the place. Its dimly lit with tons of candles. They have a bunch of art hanging on the wall, the music was a good selection of things I don't normally listen to, but like none the less. We ordered Israeli fries and these lentil fritters which were really good, but above all else, their Moroccan martini is AMAZING! If you come here, you MUST give it a try. I am not a martini person, but I was won over with this one. For dinner I had this steak with a thick olive paste on it which was really really good. If you like olives, you will love this! For our hookah, we ordered the melon flavor which was great and not very smoky to inhale... I'm not a smoker, but smoking out of a hookah was fun. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and helped us out with this whole hookah thing, since we were all new to it.  If you are looking for a nice romantic date place, Shouk is also great. If you and your date are ok with the smell of smoke and being around it, I would definitely recommend it! I have been back to Shouk many times to have drinks with friends, and I always order my Moroccan martini!I give it 5 stars!! *****-JP