Carousel Restaurant

Recommends

ecovegangal

Joined 3 years ago

One of the best meals I've had in L.A.. People often ask me what my favorite restaurant is, or my favorite meal, and that's always hard to answer. To me, eating is all about the energy - who you're dining with, how the staff treats you, the strangers in the restaurant, and how you feel during and after consuming the food.

My experience at Carousel hit all the marks - the energy was great, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the food was outstanding. While I won't call this my favorite restaurant, this was definitely one of the best meals I've had in L.A., and I've been raving about it ever since I left.

Coincidentally, that very day the owner (Mike) of the restaurant was working on the vegan menu, so he brought us out a ton of food to try. While the lentils were my favorite, everything was very fresh and flavorful. The falafel was the best I've ever had - crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The Mousaaka (eggplant) was also fantastic. It was extremely authentic Middle Eastern food.

My feast included:

Hammos

Tabbuleh

Mutabbal (Baba Rannuj)

Sarma (grape leaves)

Lentil soup

Falafel

Mousaaka (eggplant)

Kebbeh Aadas (red lentils)

Recommends

JAG099

Joined 4 years ago

Wow! Bellydancing and Good Food!. Carousel has been a place Ive enjoyed for years. with friends, family, special events, anytime you go it hits the spot. Try a little Sambooka with the mezza platters then move onto some cravings for kabob and more kabob! Dont think it's over... come 10pm the show begins.. Belly dancing and Salsa dancing shows then live music by some of the most well known Arabic and Armenian singers! It will make you feel like youve left Los Angeles and traveled to far lands.. but mostly it will make you smile, feel satisfied and so happy!

Recommends

Nazratred

Joined 4 years ago

I Cannot Wait!. I have not been to this restaurant in 10 years since I moved out of state. I am coming down in December and this is my first stop! I remember how wonderful it was and I crave their food. The Fatayers (Cheese Boregs) are to die for. Love their kabobs especially their Lula. Love taking the pita bread, spreading their absolutely addicting Garlic sauce on it, putting rice on and then the meat from the Kabob and make a sort of Gyro out of it.. I can't wait..I am so drooling right now.

Doesn't Recommend

Armen58

Joined 5 years ago

ALWAYS OUT OF FOOD ON MENU. One of my two favorite things on the menu are the lamb chops and lentil soup. I seems like everytime I go to Carousel for dinner they are out of those two items. They should be taken off the menu if they only sometimes have them.

Doesn't Recommend

JJ91011

Joined 5 years ago

Horrible Experience. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. I brought my family in on Sat. this past weekend for the set dinner and show. My son had a school pesentation to do for his school on other cultures. It was our first time and most likely our last. The food and service was not bad, although the place was so over crowded! You could not get up and move from your table, and it was so hot my wife and I could not even enjoy our dinner . We left before the belly dancers began. We were very disapointed for the money we spent. No parking, overcrowded , and extremely hot.

Recommends

barbarianhr

Joined 5 years ago

great place, but now what it used to be. My family has been getting food from Carousel for years (for birthdays, anniversaries, etc..), and we have even dined in on occasion. The atmosphere is quite nice, with Lebanese artifacts all about the interior, nicely lit (not too bright nor dark), and seating is adequate. The food is remarkably good, and it sticks to its Mediterranean roots. The dishes are original in ingredients used and presentation. My only complaint about Carousel? the price and quantity of food. Over the years, it has gotten more and more expensive, and you receive less food than you would have received a couple of years ago.

Recommends

gumbyzmom

Joined 6 years ago

One of the Best Birthday Dinners I Have Ever Had. I went to Carousel for the first time Friday night for a birthday dinner with a few friends. As a vegan it can be a challenge to find a restaurant that everyone can enjoy. When I saw that they had muhammara on their menu I was sold. We were all impressed with the decor and attentive service when we arrived and our table was soon groaning with fabulous appetizers, including creamy hammos and tabbuleh. The muhammara was by far our favorite, though. It was perfectly rich yet spreadable and full of layered flavors with a bit of a spicy kick. I could have just eaten the appetizers and have been satisfied, but out came the light and crispy falafel with sesame seeds and a special vegan mousakka just for me. My friends thoroughly enjoyed their succulent meat kebabs, especially the juicy chicken. Our waiter was excellent and timed our dinner out perfectly so we could get up and dance with the band. And the belly dancers that followed were amazing! A very sensual experience. To top of our wonderful evening, my birthday cake was brought out with a huge sparkler in it and our left-overs expertly boxed up and made into little "meals" for us to enjoy the next day. One of the best birthday dinners ever. I will definitely be back.

Recommends

santaclausinlosangeles

Joined 6 years ago

An excellent restaurant!!!!!!!!!!!. I'm coming at this place evry week to have a dinner since 2007 and this is really good.

The service is friendly, fast and polite, the food is excellent and the price is honest.

Just thanks a lot and please don't change anything.

Recommends

Mar Yvette

Joined 6 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. The Moorish facade on busy Brand Blvd is the first impression folks get of this bustling favorite known for its Lebanese, Greek and Armenian dishes. Inside, the oversized main room exudes an exotically splashy vibe with scenic frescoes, bronze platters, swashbuckling swords and other assorted artifacts lining the walls; the burbling fountain and various faux plants add a touch of bucolic design naivete. Well-dressed couples and celebratory groups forgo soft conversation on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the stage shimmies to life with belly dancers and (very loud) Middle Eastern musical performances. Tradition gets a unique twist on the menu's family style portions. Vegetarians can delight in the abundance of meat-free mezzas (appetizers), including two unusual highlights--lightly fried, tangy doughnut-shaped falafels and muhammara, an addictively spicy-sweet pate of crushed walnuts, red peppers and pomegranate juice. But carnivores needn't worry--entrees include a variety of authentic kebabs like the zesty chicken breast as well as seafood and shawarma specialties.

Doesn't Recommend

sztumpf

Joined 7 years ago

UGH... TOTALLY RUDE SNOOTY SERVICE. I order takeout from Carousel pretty often, and each time they make me feel awkward about it... like I'm not ordering the whole menu, so I'm not so important. This last time, I decided I would never give them my business again. I placed my order, and when I went to pick it up they said they couldn't take my card b/c my bill was under $20. So, shouldn't someone have told me this before I got there... and then would have to go to the atm and pick up my cold food??? They've lost a loyal customer. Totally lame.

On the other hand, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Hollywood location. They have none of the attitude, and bend over backwards to accommodate their clientele!