Basha Cafe

by Najat K.

Good tasty Lebanese cuisine, priced correctly - No beverage menu available, no professional menu for food, no professional menu for wine, no proper restaurant napkins. - Host who is also the founder and director of operations for Layaleena (their live entertainment) is an aggressive alpha male type. Not warm and welcoming but more inquisive and kind of rude and confusing about their pricing policies - Pricing: they require a $15 cover charge + whatever you consume at the bar + a minimum of $20 if you sit at a table + 18% gratuity that they include in your bill for you - Waitress: average service - Place is average, nothing special, a bar and an open space (square/rectangulaire shape) with average furniture. Their back door opens in the middle to a non heated hall where they have their restrooms. If they have it open you will need to have your coat on because it gets very cold in there. - Entertainment: it says on their website that it starts at 9pm (if you ask him the host will tell you it will start in 5 minutes!). I was there on a Saturday, I arrived at 9:15 pm and their entertainment never started until around 11 pm. *They had a band of 3 musicians/back singers: two were both lousy singers and musicians and the one musician that played Derboukka was terrific. * They had a young lady that sings with the band: her voice is beautiful her outfit was not. * They also had a belly dancer: She was very good - Overall the ambiance was kind of stiff not really fun and relaxed. Not one customer got up and danced. Would I go back? No, it was not fun. One funny note: I don't know what it was but there a bunch of men working there, all spiffed up in business suits and running around the whole evening!

by Amanda S.

Basha is located in kind of an odd, out-of-the-way location so I probably never would have stumbled upon it had it not been for the Groupon I purchased online.  I really can't say enough good things about the staff who went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and enjoyed our experience there- they were genuinely friendly and helpful (I had a lot of menu questions!).  The food was great- I had the zucchini patties, and the chicken kabobs which came with a salad.  I thought the prices were fair- our app. was around $8, entrees around $15.  The decor felt a bit bare and cafeteria-like, but I'm thinking they are new and maybe still working on this?  One thing I really liked was that they had live middle eastern music, which was a nice touch.  And if you're into hookah, that's an option if you sit out on the patio.

by Steven L.

I'm not going to spend my time talking about the location nor decor.  We have museums for that stuff. The food was good, but not worth the price.  The appetizer sampler was 25, a steep price for a portion that barely feeds 2.  The entrees are overpriced at 17-20 for a portion smaller than mom and pop stores.  The beef kabob was overcooked and poorly seasoned.  At the end, we were hit with 2 dollars per serving of water for each person.  Coke was 1.50 and 1.50 per refill.  Are you kidding me?  Even with a groupon, this place was trash.  Don't waste your time.

by Stephanie G.

I had a total, absolute blast here last night.This post is long because there was just so much incredible stuff that happened.I was so unprepared for what awaited me, after reading the other yelps reviews for this place. I went with my Arabic teacher and we got there at 9, which I thought was strange because  usually she likes to go to bed early.But 9:00 is just when this place starts to pick up. There was an oud player and people were talking. I liked the decor - pretty Middle Eastern, from my own experience. The cocktail list was great - lots of cool drinks (and they use canton and st. germaine in a bunch, which are my favorite). We got some food and the hummus and baba ghanoush were really great.By 10:00 more bands members came and joined the oud player. Some people started dancing next to the band but sat down pretty quickly. Some people danced a little in their seats. It was full of tension, but no one was dancing yet.At maybe 10:40 the band put on a great song, and maybe a third of the whole restaurant got up to dance. The music was loud and the band was soo good. People started throwing one dollar bills on the floor in front of the band - like fifteen at a time!11:00 - the belly dancer comes. Now, I've been to other Middle Eastern restaurants with belly dancers, and I HATE how they dance to individuals tables. It is so awkward. And you're supposed to tuck the dollar bills into their skirts? Belly dancers are not strippers! Anyway, this belly dancer was fantastic (although my teacher said the other one she had seen there had been much better). She was a great performer and people were throwing one dollar bills - and no one was touching her (which they wouldn't dare do in the middle east either).11:45 - 1:00 The belly dancer finished and all hell breaks lose in the restaurant. The band plays great music with great drum beats and everyone is up dancing. There are dollar bills all over the floor (I later saw them sweeping them up with a broom) and I'm holding a strangers hand as they show me how to circle dance. The songs are all in Arabic and everyone is singing along (there were maybe only four people at the restaurant who didn't speak Arabic, at this point). Nobody was sloppy drunk, but this is the Middle East with alcohol - and it's great. I had so much fun. The other non-authentic thing I would say is that none of the men there hit on me (hurray! That's always the most awkward part about the Middle East, for me anyway). But everyone was having a great time and the music and dancing was so good!I would guess, from reading the other reviews, and from my arabic teacher, that you really only want to go to this place after 9 - or even 11. Good news - now it's open until 2 (starting next week!). So go, wear your biggest hoop earrings, rock your arabic dancing, and have a great time!

by Mama P.

I had such high hopes for this place.  We went at 630p and there was only a table of 2 nearing the end of their meal.  By the time we placed our order (mezze combo appetizer and 2 entrees), there were 2 other tables.  Despite the near empty restaurant, the service was s-l-o-w.  There were 3 waitresses who hung out at the counter and didn't refill water nor check in with us.  After 20 min, I waved until one of the waitresses came over to ask for a status.  She said they were busy (!!) and to please be patient.  When I pointed out that there were only 3 tables of 2 there and one already had their food, she shrugged and walked away.  Ten minutes later and still no food in sight.  The food finally arrived, all at once, appetizers and entrees, 35 min after ordering.  I wish I could say the wait was worth it.  The chicken schawarma was so dry it was impossible to swallow.  The rice pilaf was crunchy from bits of raw rice.  The grape leaves were so tough, it was difficult to take a bite.  We gave up eating them and left 3.5 out of 4 grape leaves uneaten.  The one redeeming item was the baba ganoush which was not the best I've ever had but was the best item on the table.  The beef kabobs were ok but at least weren't dry like the chicken.  The cost for this kind of food was very very pricey.  Considering the low quality, we were robbed.  The evening ended when the fire alarm went off with loud piercing ringing.  We threw money on the table, way overtipping for the terrible service but desperate to leave, who cared??   SAVE your hard earned cash and do not come here.  GO to Wrappro on Mass Ave instead - fresher, basic Middle Eastern there that is value for the money!

by Andrea R.

Food was great.  What was no so great, however, was taking the food away while we were still eating it.  3 out of 5 for value.  Odd location, amateur staff, authentic flavors, over priced.  Still, groupon made it sweeeeet.......

by Jen S.

Wow! Is this what middle-eastern food is?! If so, I've been missing out. So fresh, mostly vegetables, great. I need to go back and try more things...  I had shrimp scampi and vegetables, which isn't the Italian version of schrimp scampi.  Instead, it is garlicky grilled shrimp, and I loved it!  They are not skimpy on the food at all.  They also have a nice bar, outdoor seating, and I'm not sure but they might also have hookahs (at least for decoration).  The place gets pretty packed later in the evening on weekends.

by Danielle M.

Nice! A hop and skip away from work, I crossed through Black Magic to find this awesome new addition to the Boston/Cambridge-area Lebanese restaurant menu (although the owners are Armenian). The space inside is much smaller that you'd gather by looking at the pictures on their website, but nonetheless warm and inviting. The decorations are simple and beautiful, the curtains are gorgeous, and the layout isn't awful. Our server/hostess Deb was very nice and seemed to enjoy her job (which IMO is a huge portion of what makes the food taste good). The salad was lemony and had fresh sumac, the iceberg could have been rinsed a little better, and the cucumbers were delicious. THEIR HUMMUS IS PERFECTION. We had an order of the soujouk, which was juicy and had the right amount of spice. The basterma was alright, the tabbouleh was not. I ordered the chicken shawarma entree with fries, and was not exactly floored. The shawarma was juicy, but in an oily, not succulent, way. The essential shawarma seasonings were noticeably lacking. The side of pickles and seasoned onions was very good, but the garlicky toum was the dish's saving grace. I also tried the kafta, which was not bad, and heard the shish taouk and beef kabob were also decent. The beef shawarma was very well prepared. Bread is served warm, the flatware/drinkware is clean, and the huge open windows are a very nice touch. Not much of a view, but I will definitely enjoy sitting on the adjacent patio come the summer. They advertise a belly dancer on Sunday nights, argileh (with reservations, since it has to be on the small patio), and it seems they have a hefty-sized evening crowd. They have a well-stocked bar, and enough seating area for large groups. The restrooms were well kept, and hopefully they turn on that heater in the hallway during the colder evenings. The food in general was OK: I was dissapointed with the shawarma (which is usually my determining compass), but still I would like to come again to try more. I think I would have a higher opinion if I came at night, when the place is full, the music is playing, people are dressed up, and the overall energy is a little more festive.

by nick h.

Where can you find one of the best falafel wraps in Cambridge?Where can you find $4 beers like BBC IPA and Stella on draft?Where can you enjoy Middle Eastern delights like Baba Ghanoush, Kibbee, and Shawarma?Where can you see Belly Dancing on Wednesday nights, as well as live music and salsa?If you find yourself asking any of these questions, look no further than Basha Cafe, a fresh new spot in an obscure part of Cambridge. I've reached an age-old dilemma with this place: on the one hand I want more people to flock here because of all they have to offer, but on the other hand it is right on my way home from work and I really would prefer that Basha and I keep our little affair under wraps (pardon the pun).Those who do read this review - go once to try Basha, but then keep it to yourself.

by Rex J.

I'm a big fan of Middle Eastern food, and enjoy all regional variations.  I have eaten at Basha twice now and commend the quality and selection. It offers Turkish, Greek, Armenian, and other styles and not just generic.  When compared to other middle eastern restaurants Basha Cafe is higher priced.     Lunch offerings are more the typical 'deli' like middle eastern offerings such as kebabs and roll ups but still with a better quality than what you would get at family run counter place.Basha offers a more traditional restaurant setting not the family style you would see more frequently with Middle Eastern offerings (in Boston).  The quality of the selection, preparation  of the food, and presentation are in line with the prices. Everything I had was fresh and flavorful. I  especially liked the Mucver mezze, and the Lamp chops!Of course the high end of the spectrum was the Istanbul cafe, now gone, and even more of modern twist on Middle eastern, the current Oleana which the far end of the spectrum in price and style.Like the gym next door this restaurant is not expected to be found in this section of Cambridge; the hidden location and slightly higher price point might turn others off, but if you're looking for quality  Middle Eastern food and nightly entertainment, I would hope you won't be disappointed