Alhambra Palace Restaurant

by Corey S.

How is this place even still in business. Terrible food, terrible service...must be some sort of money cover or drug ring running out of this dump.The Kabobs were awful, Ive never made one but am conficent I could do better. All in all this shit show is over priced, dont go.How is this place even still in business. Terrible food, terrible service...must be some sort of money cover or drug ring running out of this dump.The Kabobs were awful, Ive never made one but am conficent I could do better. All in all this shit show is over priced, dont go.

by HungryChicago M.

Amazing decoration like Disney World! Great entertainment events. Poor food. Arrogant people. Go for belly dance and salsa nights or drinks. Not food.They are pretty strict about your attire. The lady before us wear average cloth with not-so-bad sneakers. They deny her and her friends access even though they already made a reservation. The situation was not solved until the manager came out to the door. The probably won't let me in with my new Pumas.Don't go there for food. You will cry. The Dolmas (minty leaves rice wraps) are the most horrible I have ever had. It was loose wrap soaked in salty and sour tomato sauce. It sounds fine, but it is not!I love the Tuesday and Friday salsa nights there. I used to go every week. Great floor, great music and great people. I also love the Friday night belly dance show of Alexandria on the first floor main hall. She is a very decent belly dances with great entertainment skills. The live band is pretty authentic as I am an experienced belly dancer myself.Recommended for groups and couples.Amazing decoration like Disney World! Great entertainment events. Poor food. Arrogant people. Go for belly dance and salsa nights or drinks. Not food.They are pretty strict about your attire. The lady before us wear average cloth with not-so-bad sneakers. They deny her and her friends access even though they already made a reservation. The situation was not solved until the manager came out to the door. The probably won't let me in with my new Pumas.Don't go there for food. You will cry. The Dolmas (minty leaves rice wraps) are the most horrible I have ever had. It was loose wrap soaked in salty and sour tomato sauce. It sounds fine, but it is not!I love the Tuesday and Friday salsa nights there. I used to go every week. Great floor, great music and great people. I also love the Friday night belly dance show of Alexandria on the first floor main hall. She is a very decent belly dances with great entertainment skills. The live band is pretty authentic as I am an experienced belly dancer myself.Recommended for groups and couples.

by nikki s.

I just had to say a 'lil something about Alhambra. Don't know why it took me so long, but I was inspired by one of the other entries. Kudos to Dani B. for giving it to the people straight. I guess it's a place where you either really like it or you just don't--for whatever reason.I can't comment on the decline in service, as I haven't dined there in a while, however, when I went, I had no complaints on the food or the service. Perhaps there's been a change of hands in kitchen? Service was excellent, but the food was just okay for me. I'm not partial to spending $30ish dollars on a meal that was just okay. I was hoping for more Morrocan, but instead, it was upscale Mediterranean fusion. The decor and the music are what I could appreciate most. The space is grandiose and unlike any other restaurant I've ever been to. From talking to the owner--and like our fellow yelper, Dani B. conveyed, the elaborate furnishings and decorative pieces come from Morrocco and Syria and are by no means gawdy. It is way over the top, but heck, what palace isn't? C'mon people, think palace. Perhaps one must expand their artistic eye to appreciate it. I felt like I had been swept away to another country.I've not experienced some of the other performances, but I can say that the live Middle Eastern band I saw was phenomenal, and I loved seeing the different cultures--especially those of the middle eastern descent, get up and dance. In fact, I took it as an opportunity to learn another cultural dance. The belly dancer was by far the best one that I've ever seen. I am a woman and I like men, but from dancer to another dancer, the things this woman was doing in her performance? I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She would give Shakira a run for her money. Currently, I only go to Alhambra for salsa dancing. Parking is treacherous on Randolph, but there's always valet. Firstly, it has the best dance floor of open space in any salsa venue in the city of Chicago. Secondly, I know that some of the city's best dancers will be there. In other words, I'm not tripping over non-dancers boppin' around/chatting it up w/friends on the dance floor, nor is it hit or miss to find a good dance partner. (If you're in the salsa "matrix" of Chicago, you know this is serious business). Tuesday nights start way too late for me so I rarely make those, but since they're now doing Fridays again, I'll occasionally deter from my usual Rumba quest for my salsa fix and head to Alhambra. It's like a salsa reunion, as they "jack" practically the whole Friday crowd from Rumba. Live music and plenty of room...ahhhhhhh Alhambra.I just had to say a 'lil something about Alhambra. Don't know why it took me so long, but I was inspired by one of the other entries. Kudos to Dani B. for giving it to the people straight. I guess it's a place where you either really like it or you just don't--for whatever reason.I can't comment on the decline in service, as I haven't dined there in a while, however, when I went, I had no complaints on the food or the service. Perhaps there's been a change of hands in kitchen? Service was excellent, but the food was just okay for me. I'm not partial to spending $30ish dollars on a meal that was just okay. I was hoping for more Morrocan, but instead, it was upscale Mediterranean fusion. The decor and the music are what I could appreciate most. The space is grandiose and unlike any other restaurant I've ever been to. From talking to the owner--and like our fellow yelper, Dani B. conveyed, the elaborate furnishings and decorative pieces come from Morrocco and Syria and are by no means gawdy. It is way over the top, but heck, what palace isn't? C'mon people, think palace. Perhaps one must expand their artistic eye to appreciate it. I felt like I had been swept away to another country.I've not experienced some of the other performances, but I can say that the live Middle Eastern band I saw was phenomenal, and I loved seeing the different cultures--especially those of the middle eastern descent, get up and dance. In fact, I took it as an opportunity to learn another cultural dance. The belly dancer was by far the best one that I've ever seen. I am a woman and I like men, but from dancer to another dancer, the things this woman was doing in her performance? I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She would give Shakira a run for her money. Currently, I only go to Alhambra for salsa dancing. Parking is treacherous on Randolph, but there's always valet. Firstly, it has the best dance floor of open space in any salsa venue in the city of Chicago. Secondly, I know that some of the city's best dancers will be there. In other words, I'm not tripping over non-dancers boppin' around/chatting it up w/friends on the dance floor, nor is it hit or miss to find a good dance partner. (If you're in the salsa "matrix" of Chicago, you know this is serious business). Tuesday nights start way too late for me so I rarely make those, but since they're now doing Fridays again, I'll occasionally deter from my usual Rumba quest for my salsa fix and head to Alhambra. It's like a salsa reunion, as they "jack" practically the whole Friday crowd from Rumba. Live music and plenty of room...ahhhhhhh Alhambra.

by Melissa M.

It's been a while since I've been to Alhambra -- and for good reason.  My experience there was absolutely terrible.  Service - awful.  Food - dry and tasteless. Ambiance - there was NO ONE in this restaurant.The decor is really gaudy but good food and service would have made up for this.I will NEVER return. Ever. Don't even bother.If you're looking for Middle Eastern food  try Fattoush or something -- where you can get the same meal for 1/10th the cost.

by Lisa D.Ellen S.MARIA O.HungryChicago M.

Yayyyyy!!! Finally, water served when you order food! Also, wine in a glass glass, I feel so adult.See you at Salsa Tuesday! I still love Salsa, I still think this is the best floor for dancing on but I'm just so offended by… Based on both my own experience and the collective experiences of my fellow reviewers, I don't get how this place stays in business. The food is mediocre at best and inedible at worst. The service leaves a great deal to be desired and there are certainly other places around town to see belly dancing.If you're in the neighborhood and want to stop by for some groove thang shaking, still with drinks only. Anything else, caveat emptor.Review for Tuesday night Latin dancing:Wow, the moves I have seen on the dance floor here are enviable. F'en B to the girls that shake like that! I have Alhambra written in on my calendar for Latin dancing on Tuesday nights. This is where the best of the best show up to sweat their tails off. It is refreshing to know that there is a culture of Latin dancers out there that simply get together to have fun, dance, mix mingle and share each others company. No worries about drama like you would have when you go out during the weekend. Everyone is so cool and respectful. No one competes, no one causes problems, so much fun. Not to worry friends, sooner, rather than later, I too will be one of those chicks getting swept across the dance floor.  Haha!Amazing decoration like Disney World! Great entertainment events. Poor food. Arrogant people. Go for belly dance and salsa nights or drinks. Not food.They are pretty strict about your attire. The lady before us wear average cloth with not-so-bad sneakers. They deny her and her friends access even though they already made a reservation. The situation was not solved until the manager came out to the door. The probably won't let me in with my new Pumas.Don't go there for food. You will cry. The Dolmas (minty leaves rice wraps) are the most horrible I have ever had. It was loose wrap soaked in salty and sour tomato sauce. It sounds fine, but it is not!I love the Tuesday and Friday salsa nights there. I used to go every week. Great floor, great music and great people. I also love the Friday night belly dance show of Alexandria on the first floor main hall. She is a very decent belly dances with great entertainment skills. The live band is pretty authentic as I am an experienced belly dancer myself.Recommended for groups and couples.

by Brenda S.

Very nicely decorated, great service, kabobs are the best.

by Lisa D.Ellen S.

Yayyyyy!!! Finally, water served when you order food! Also, wine in a glass glass, I feel so adult.See you at Salsa Tuesday! I still love Salsa, I still think this is the best floor for dancing on but I'm just so offended by… Based on both my own experience and the collective experiences of my fellow reviewers, I don't get how this place stays in business. The food is mediocre at best and inedible at worst. The service leaves a great deal to be desired and there are certainly other places around town to see belly dancing.If you're in the neighborhood and want to stop by for some groove thang shaking, still with drinks only. Anything else, caveat emptor.

by Bowen S.

My girlfriend and I were in Chicago for the weekend.  It was a short trip and she was staying for business the following week.  So we had a little time to experience a lot since it was my first trip to Chicago.  We were meeting some business associates of hers and this was the restaurant that was chosen.It was an interesting place.  I'll say that.  We enjoy ethnic foods and enjoy new experiences.  That's why it gets two stars and not one.  Very elaborately decorated, kept with the theme or the restaurant - very impressed when I first walked in.  I was looking forward to experiencing this kind of food.  Typical wine list...unimpressed with that.  I expected some more of a different variety, but it wasn't there.  Some decent cocktail recipes.  We were sat in the main show room.  If you plan on talking to the people you're sitting with, ask not to be seated here for your meal.  In fact, make reservations ahead of time to sit elsewhere for your meal.  They do have another room specifically for dining, or so I was told by our server (more on her later).  The music was incredibly loud for the show aspect.  They have belly dancers and the like performing throughout the evening.  Which is fine, but when the performances were not happening, I would have preferred the music be turned down a little bit.  The TV's with the ethnic music videos playing above the stage were a little over the top and cheesy in my opinion.  They didn't really go well with the environment.  I know that's a little picky, but hey, this is a review.The appetizers were good.  Not great, but not terrible.  We got some Falafel and some Kibbeh.  For the main course, I got the Lamb Tangine, and my girlfirend the Seafood Tangine.  When the food came out it looked great.  But I couldn't eat it.  My silverware had been taken away with the appetizers.  I struggled for about 5 minutes or so(it felt like longer) to get the attention of my server.  Then waited for almost another 5-10 minutes as I watched her walk past my table 3 times with no silverware.  I got up, walked towards the kitchen, stood there, pointed at employees asking the question, "Can YOU help me?" 5 or 6 times before someone stopped to see what I needed.  Finally with some silverware, I'm able to sit down and eat.  More disappointment.  Very bland, uninteresting, forgettable food.  It wasn't just mine either.  My girlfriend said the same thing.  We tried some of each others just to be sure.  I felt like I was eating something from the tray-lunch line from my high school cafeteria.  But then again, even that had more flavor than this.  Another 5 minutes or so, I'm still eating for the simple fact that I'm starving, and my server finally shows up with silverware and proceeds to lie to me about how there wasn't any clean silverware!!  Actually, it just went down to one star.I've worked in the industry a lot, and for a long time.  I'm more understanding than most.  I don't believe all the servers there are like this.  But the overall feel of the customer service there was terrible.  And if you happen to go, sit down, and a short girl, with curly, blond, neck-line length hair comes to your table...get up and move.  Or better yet, leave and spend your money elsewhere.My girlfriend and I were in Chicago for the weekend.  It was a short trip and she was staying for business the following week.  So we had a little time to experience a lot since it was my first trip to Chicago.  We were meeting some business associates of hers and this was the restaurant that was chosen.It was an interesting place.  I'll say that.  We enjoy ethnic foods and enjoy new experiences.  That's why it gets two stars and not one.  Very elaborately decorated, kept with the theme or the restaurant - very impressed when I first walked in.  I was looking forward to experiencing this kind of food.  Typical wine list...unimpressed with that.  I expected some more of a different variety, but it wasn't there.  Some decent cocktail recipes.  We were sat in the main show room.  If you plan on talking to the people you're sitting with, ask not to be seated here for your meal.  In fact, make reservations ahead of time to sit elsewhere for your meal.  They do have another room specifically for dining, or so I was told by our server (more on her later).  The music was incredibly loud for the show aspect.  They have belly dancers and the like performing throughout the evening.  Which is fine, but when the performances were not happening, I would have preferred the music be turned down a little bit.  The TV's with the ethnic music videos playing above the stage were a little over the top and cheesy in my opinion.  They didn't really go well with the environment.  I know that's a little picky, but hey, this is a review.The appetizers were good.  Not great, but not terrible.  We got some Falafel and some Kibbeh.  For the main course, I got the Lamb Tangine, and my girlfirend the Seafood Tangine.  When the food came out it looked great.  But I couldn't eat it.  My silverware had been taken away with the appetizers.  I struggled for about 5 minutes or so(it felt like longer) to get the attention of my server.  Then waited for almost another 5-10 minutes as I watched her walk past my table 3 times with no silverware.  I got up, walked towards the kitchen, stood there, pointed at employees asking the question, "Can YOU help me?" 5 or 6 times before someone stopped to see what I needed.  Finally with some silverware, I'm able to sit down and eat.  More disappointment.  Very bland, uninteresting, forgettable food.  It wasn't just mine either.  My girlfriend said the same thing.  We tried some of each others just to be sure.  I felt like I was eating something from the tray-lunch line from my high school cafeteria.  But then again, even that had more flavor than this.  Another 5 minutes or so, I'm still eating for the simple fact that I'm starving, and my server finally shows up with silverware and proceeds to lie to me about how there wasn't any clean silverware!!  Actually, it just went down to one star.I've worked in the industry a lot, and for a long time.  I'm more understanding than most.  I don't believe all the servers there are like this.  But the overall feel of the customer service there was terrible.  And if you happen to go, sit down, and a short girl, with curly, blond, neck-line length hair comes to your table...get up and move.  Or better yet, leave and spend your money elsewhere.

by Ellen S.

Based on both my own experience and the collective experiences of my fellow reviewers, I don't get how this place stays in business. The food is mediocre at best and inedible at worst. The service leaves a great deal to be desired and there are certainly other places around town to see belly dancing.If you're in the neighborhood and want to stop by for some groove thang shaking, still with drinks only. Anything else, caveat emptor.

by carolynne r.

Alhambra is theatre, pure and simple.  Everything looks amazing and gorgeous from afar, but don't look too close unless you want to see the flimsy materials holding it all together.If you come here, you want to come late, and you dont want to spend a whole lot on drinks food, because it is all numbingly expensive for what you get.  Everything looks beautiful, but what I ate ranged from "eh" to poor.  Rather, come here for the outstanding decor (you really do feel like you are in a palace), and the entertainment.  I had originally thought the service was too slow, and that we were being forgotten, but then I realized that this place expects you to stay - pretty much all night.  So after you eat, you have to wave your server over if you want something, otherwise I felt they were cool with you just hanging out watching the shows.  A BIG problem I had with this place was that I had reserved a table and noted in the reservation it was for Restaurant Week.  Well, we get there and we are seated very close to the stage that they were setting up for the Flamenco show.  When I asked for the special menus, the server said that wasnt "offered" in this room, only in some weird back room away from the music and dancing.  This made me pretty sore, as it felt totally like a bait and switch - like, Hey, seat them in the GOOD room so they can see what they would be missing and then they will HAVE to order from the regular menu!  Not cool, Alhambra, not cool at all. I ended up ordering some falafel, which came on a bed of lettuce with some tomato and cucumber and one teaspoon of sour cream.  So for $6 there are 6 patties on a plate which you must eat dry. They were nicely prepared, but come on - at least a little more sour cream would have helped.  Then I had the Shrimp Charmoula which I highly recommend AGAINST ordering.  Four medium sized shrimp were served in a bowl with some lettuce, tomato and some vile dressing that tasted like French.  The shrimp were overcooked, dry, and extremely salty.  A complete waste of $12.   Andy M had a chicken wing jones from a show we had watched earlier on the Food Network, so he got the "Moroccan" wings, which are nothing more than standard Buffalo wings.  Tasty, but totally out of place here.I knew what I was getting into before we went, so I cant say I am all that surprised.  But really, Alhambra should maybe stop trying to be a restaurant and focus more on being a nightclub or something along that line  They do the entertainment side great, but stop with the food, really.