The beau insisted we finally try this place after friends recently had a nice experience. I've always been hesitant because of the impression I get from the subterranean entrance. I'm glad we pushed through and went. Once inside you feel transported to a faraway land. It's dark and mysterious with a labyrinthine feel. We ate in the bar area which was quite lively and were able to watch the patrons come and go. This place was hopping on a Saturday night. Who knew?! Highly recommended for a romantic evening and something different. The food was good, the server was good (but never did deliver our pita) and the overall experience was enjoyable.

Shalel never disappoints. Its cozy, private atmosphere makes for a great night out, whether you're grabbing dinner or just drinks. The menu is always delicious, with something new to try each time I visit. The service is consistently amazing--friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Whether you're looking for a laid-back meal or a spot to unwind after work, Shalel is always a solid choice.

Great date spot! I loved the little rooms and decor which made it intimate. Definitely make a reservation or be okay with sitting at one of the eight seats at the bar. We were a party of four and got this cute table in the back which felt so private. The service was great! I liked the pomegranate margarita; it wasn't too sweet and was refreshing. We also ordered a bottle of the Syrah which was great. Our favorite apps were the fritters and the bacon wrapped dates. I liked the lamb tagine, it was just a little salty for me. Overall, I would definitely come back. It was a little pricey for what it was, but the ambiance made up for it!

I came here on a Thursday night at 730pm with reservations. Half of us arrived early so we sat at the bar and ordered drinks. I ordered the Manhattan and my girlfriend ordered the pomegranate margarita. Both drinks were very good but a bit pricey. The Manhattan was $17 and the margarita was $18. When the rest of the party arrived we were seated right away and put into an almost private booth. The atmosphere is very rustic but cozy. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates and artichoke fritters as apps. Both were very good and I would order them again. For dinner I ordered the shakshouka ($20) and added the lamb meat (+$10 extra). The dish was very good but would have liked more bread to eat the dish with. Again the dish was good but a bit expensive for what it was. Overall service was great and food was tasty. I would say it's worth trying but due to price not sure I would come running back.

Food was good. Service was great. But if you are claustrophobic, ask to avoid the room that is like Jeffrey Dahmer's dungeon. And don't trip on the 3 inch lip when you pull the curtain back as you head to the bathroom (the floors are very uneven).

Went with a party of 15, three generations ages 10-84 on a November Saturday night. Wonderful ambience, a space and vibe that transports you to another part of the world. Our room felt like a home, with all of us sitting on comfy cushions, able to see everyone's faces. Staff was super attentive, particularly with making those with special needs comfortable. Food was loved by all. Nice drink list. Not too pricey. Great spot.

You need to come try the food in this cute underground grotto. The dim lighting and close seating lends itself to be the perfect date night spot. The service was impecable. Our waiter was very friendly and accommodating. The dishes are portioned well at the price point. We celebrated a birthday and they brought us out a piece of olive oil cake at the end. We were stuffed but it was good. It was adorned with gooseberries, lowkey my favorite berry and segmented oranges. As for the apps and mains we got so much. The branzino was perfectly flaky. The edges were crispy but beware it's not deboned so eating it was a little cumbersome. We got the mixed grill plater, it came with chicken lamb and steak. All three meats were juicy and tender and the rice was flavorful and soaked up the juices from the meat. We also got the lamb cigars, tirokafteti, and the spanakopitas. It was all good the spanakopitas were prolly the best I've ever had. They were huge. The lamb cigars came with this spicy sauce. tirokafteti comes with a generous amount of pita. I really have nothing bad to say. We loved our experience here. I do recommend making a reservation as the place is small.

Brought my mom here for her birthday dinner. Without knowing anything about the location, I booked the greenhouse which was a strange narrow storage closet at the entrance of the restaurant. I enjoyed the natural light and the privacy of the space, but once it got dark, I definitely wished we'd opted to sit in the actual restaurant. The space is really neat. Lots of little nooks and crannies that are unique and cozy. The food was great. We started with the MEDITERRANEAN MEZZE 25 (hummus, tzatziki, babaghanoush, tirokafteri, harissa, grilled pita), SPANAKOPITES, and SICILIAN CAULIFLOWER AND HALLOUMI CHEESE. For my meal I got the CHICKEN TAGINE A LA FEZ, and my mom got the FILET MIGNON KEBAB. All the food came out delicious and hot and our servers were very friendly. They stuck a candle in our olive oil cake for dessert for my mom which was a very kind gesture (although the cake itself was not great).

A very cozy underground Mediterranean restaurant in upper west side. Perfect spot for a date night before a show at Lincoln Center or the Beacon Theater. Service was great. Food was delicious. Definitely recommend the spicy feta. The cocktails could be better. This was my second time here. The first time was just for feta and a drink at the bar. My drink then was just okay as well.