Ramma Genie Cafe

by Bobbie D.

Before I write this review, I must admit that I haven't been here in a year-  All right so- you have to make a reservation but don't let that turn you off- it's just them being efficient so that you don't have to wait an hour just to sit down to have ergileh. Other than the ergileh at Alcazar Restaurant in Encino, this is the best ergile outside Lebanon. It doesn't burn so fast and they mix and match different flavors to create a harmonious blend. MMM- it goes down really smooth and Vinni, the owner, used to put 3 or four shots of rum in the water to make it even better! And  their tea is very good too, it's served in a traditional press down tea pot. They have delicious wraps and everything's decently priced. The only flip side is that it's hard to find parking and they charge you more for sitting inside because it's the "VIP" section- also instead of Arabic music, they play hip hop music- one of my pet peeves in a hookah place. Go here for a  good hookah experience.

by aer d.

This place is not worth going to unless you're in the area and have nothing to do. I have never sat inside, but it doesn't seem very welcoming. Dark and uninviting.Outside on the patio it's a bit better, but you're facing a street and there's not much of an (interesting) atmosphere.I was there a few weeks ago with some friends... Food is somewhat digusting. We ordered some kind of crazy pizza that simply tasted revolting. Oversalted to the max. The slice of chocolate cake we ordered tasted like it was made a week ago from a Betty Crocker box ... I know this place doesn't specialize in desserts, and it's not a restaurant per se, but I expect better quality. Drinks weren't bad though, I have to say. Hookah on the other hand was somewhat harsh and gave out really quickly. Not good =/ Overall, NOT worth the price and there is no atmosphere at all.

by Akkara S.

Yelp needs to have a black star rating for those businesses that suck suck SUCKKKKK.  My girlfriend and I came here when we spotted it driving around WeHo.  We figured we'd give it a try, both being big hookah lovers.  We ordered some food, some hookah, some drinks, and had a really awesome time.  The waitress was super friendly and very nice, the music was hip hop.  Not bad.  CUT TO:One month later I get a phone call from my credit card company telling me I had been a victim of credit fraud.  Apparently, I bought all this freaking jewelry from Kuwait randomly one day.  Thousands of dollars worth.  I couldn't figure out when my information had been stolen.  UNTIL...One day I was chatting with that same friend online and she tells me, "Kara, I am a victim of credit fraud.  Someone bought all this jewelry from Kuwait!!"  An alarm went off inside my head as something didn't seem quite right.  It was too familiar, too similar.  Well, this was the only place we went to that we both used our credit cards at.  I'm convinced some shady shit went on at that place.  Damn them for tricking us.  Just trying to spread the word.  If you value your money, don't risk it.  It really sucks.

by Saba M.

I'm not a big fan of Hookah...in fact I readily advertise that it is very unhealthy.  I ended up at Ramma Geni Cafe after a night of failed partying at a pretentious club: Kress. The ambience is nothing spectacular, a few tables on the patio and a mixed group of tables and couches inside. There is a 12 dollar minimum which was a bummer because I wasn't there for hookah, just looking for a place to have some tea. I was forced to order some food to cover the "cover" charges.  One of the other girls ordered the hookah (apparently it is filled with wine and not water) this why it cost $20- All 3 of us ordered wraps: veggie, chicken and the Ramma wrap. The ramma wrap was by far the best thing. Filled with hummus and tabouli, it was fresh and tangy, well worth the 10 dollars. This place is expensive- I wish I could just come and eat- but with the $12 cover per person for a coffee place type of joint it isn't really worth your money.

by Grace Y.

I had a great time here, but I will definitely make reservations next time so that I don't have to huddle outside fighting for proximity to the heat lamps. I've heard that they put wine in their hookahs, which is what gives it extra flava. We tried 007, which is a mix of fruity and minty, and it went great with mint tea. Their chocolate cake is really, really rich (good, but a bit much for me). I think there's a $5 per person minimum excluding the first hookah.

by Jennifer A.

Pretty good hookah here.  I think we had the Bliss Rum or Rum Bliss flavored one.  Can't remember exactly.The hot chocolate is delish here and perfect to drink if you're sitting outside.  The wraps are yummy.  I'm craving one now actually.Minus one star for the waitress who overexposes herself when bending over.  This might encourage the fellas to check this place out.  But trust me...it is sooo distasteful.  Yuck.*Edit 3/20/08...FYI she overexposes herself on the bottom.  Use your imagination.

by Matt P.

I was one of those people who didn't really know jack about Hookah, and thanks to places like Habibi and the Gypsy Cafe in Westwood, came to believe that all Hookah came in flavors like 'Tropical' or 'Apple.' Rama Genie changed all that.I don't know what the hell they put in that Hookah, but it's smooth. And when I say smooth, I'm talking like... this is about the best high you can get without breaking federal laws. Of course, when something is that good, you're bound to abuse it, aren't you? Well that's what I did -- went too far, smoked myself clean out of oxygen, and ended up getting really sick. Bummer.So yeah, I kind of burned myself out on the Hookah, and haven't been back since. But for awhile, I was deadly serious about it. The "guy" is very attentive, and constantly keeps your coals fresh. The "flavor," as I mentioned, was more of a spice/herb blend, and I recommend just getting "whatever they recommend" as they know their shit a lot better than most of us. The food is really good, but since I ended up pretty nauseated by the end of my last night at Rama Genie, I can't really think too much about it (unfortunately, I gave myself an aversion to 'wraps'... rats). Since Katie's Armenian, this nice older lady brought out all this free stuff for her to eat -- including but not limited to: babaganoush, tabouleh, cous-cous, and other words that I like to say really fast when I'm drunk. It's a rock solid establishment.GET A RESERVATION. They're assholes about that. Even if you have to sneak around the corner and call them on your cell phone before you walk in, just do it. It's worth not having to eat shit from a giant with Lance Armstrong's lung capacity and a size 17 shoe.

by Steve R.

I've heard some bad reviews about this place, finally went, and wasn't all that bad. I'm wondering if the place is so bad, why is it always packed. Not much into hookah, but they do have some good food here. They make a great wrap, not really sure what was in it, but I know it had pastrami. They also have some hot chocolate here with ginger in it which was pretty good. But anyhow, being in the middle of west hollywood, and especially if you go on a thursday, friday, or saturday, expect to see a busy place.

by Peter Y.

I like coming here after a heavy meal.  Good hookah (double apple) and pretty good tea selection.   Negatives - noise from busy street, desserts are ok, food can be somewhat pedestrian, and may not be seated if you don't have a reservation.Cheers,

by Sal C.

I used to be a really big fan of this place.  I've taken my share of friends and introduced them to hookah here.  A few years back, there was a change in ownership (the new owners still kept the name) and the place just hasn't been the same.  I'm not saying that the place is now bad, but everything from the hookah to the look/atmosphere of the place has changed.   The previous owner was always there and he treated his customers like his friends.  The Hookah was top notch, the place was clean, well decorated and the service outstanding. All in all, the place had a really great vibe.Not to say that this Ramma Genie is Dirty or that service is bad.  This place still continues to have good tobacco in their hookahs (very smooth).  The service continues to be good (the coal guys are awesome!).  The food is surprisingly good and not overpriced.  As mentioned before, there's a $12 minimum per person.  They offered a variety of drinks.  I prefer tea with my hookah (or wine).   If you're in the mood for a mix drink, there's a drink menu with some house creations as well.....The feedback that I got from friends that tried them is that they're too sweet.  I think they offer 3 types of bottled beer (Heineken, Corona....I think Bud light is the 3rd).