Bashir's Taverna : Comments

The food at Bashir's is excellent!! His apricot glazed ham is to die for. The fresh salmon with dill sauce is amazing, the salads are fresh and crisp. Love the decor of the inside of the Taverna and Bashir and the wait staff are friendly, helpful and eager to make the dining experience a tasty and memorable one. Bashir is also an incredible caterer! As an out-of-towner hosting a reception, he helped me from start to finish with the food, rentals and everything else in between.

Did not like the food very much. okay atmosphere, but would not go again.

Iwent to tatstethiscville "event which was to support and generate funds for the food bank,the salvation army and meals on wheels. the top restaurants were represented. Bashirs was amazing with their fresh salmon purses in filo dough and their apricot glazed ham. their table was always surrounded by guests. the food was superb.keep up the good work. you are the best.

Bashir's is an excellent place to dine, relax and enjoy marvelous food, and plus the staff is wonderful. Everything is so pleasant, Bashir's is the whole package (food, wine, people, and place) when seeking a great night out.

ham had no flavor

Bashir has done it again. Our company recently entrusted Bashir's Taverna (for the second time)with the task of pleasing our most important clients; and Bashir, his wife, and staff again exceeded our expectations. The food was superb, the service excellent, and the host, most gracious. Our clients truly enjoyed the evening. I would recommend Bashir's Taverna for any event.

Attended a private company party here last week. This was my second visit and both times the food was tasty and the service was warm and friendly. Overall I had a great experience.

Attended a private party at Bashir's and it was very enjoyable. Fun location, atmosphere and the food was tasty. Great family owned place.

We had our son's wedding rehearsal dinner at Bashir's. Everything was perfect! The food was delicious, and the servings were generous. The service was exceptional. The atmosphere added to our enjoyment. The guests raved about the restaurant, and complimented us on the excellent selection. I would recommend Bashir's Taverna for any occasion.

My friends and family have been going to Bashir's Taverna regularly for more than six years. Even with the recent downturn in the economy the restaurant has managed to provide consistently appealing menus and authentic north African food at reasonable cost. I always feel at home in this comfortable environment. Bashir and Kathy are truly great hosts, as much loved for their hospitality as for the delightful and appetizing menus which are always evolving. The Taverna is a great place for relaxed business meetings and evening entertainment. Catering is excellent, the ham and salmon being my particular favorites.

I hosted a wedding rehearsal dinner at Bashir's for a little over 50 guests. Everying was amazingly wonderful, the food, the service, the people, the setting. My guests all raved about the food. Bashir himself was a charming host and went above and beyond with his food and his service. One especailly touching thing was that some of my younger guests, including the groom and his friends were lingering quite late, talking and drinking coffee. I asked Bashir if he wanted me to mention the time to them and hint that it was time to leave. Bashir told me, "no, it's a special occasion. Let them talk. We'll work around them." Thank you Bashir! You're the best!

HIGHLY Recommended!!!
Not only did Bashir & his wife Kathy put together an A+ wedding rehearsal dinner for 50 folks, but they easily took care of our special dietary needs guests.
They accommodated every request and more.
We, the groom's parents, received nothing but praise from our guests for hosting at Bashir's Taverna.
The apricot-glazed ham was the most praised dish!

I organized a private dinner for a Colloquium at Bashir's. Bashir was friendly, accommodating and flexible to work with throughout the planning stages. He worked with us to meet our budgetary needs, and still provided and INCREDIBLE evening for our guests. Everyone raved about the food, the ambiance, and the service. Bashir himself provided wine tastings, carved the beautiful ham, and met our every need. From start to finish, a truly delightful experience!!

I was so disappointed by my meal at Bashir's. Well, it wasn't terrible but I can't understand these rave reviews. Yes, the ambiance and service were fine, but the food was 100% blah.

This restaurant shows up in the Top 10 link too. What? No way this is a Top 10 restaurant in Charlottesville.

We love Bashir and his food! His pasta salad, sandwiches and catered dishes (including yummy desserts!)are terrific and he has donated these items to our events on many occasions.

i was invited to the farewell party in honor of Gary O'connor our city manager at Bashir's and vip's from the city and the county wre there. The food ( mostly cocktails) was incredible and well balanced . One section was for vegetarian and another for meat lovers , he even had some food made for people observing passover. i ate many times at bashir's as my previous posts show but this time he really outdid himself.
I was very pleased to hear him sing an old irish drinking song in honor of the city manager (accapella ) with another musician

I showed up on Valentine's Day without reservations; server was extremely nice about seating and continued to be attentive throughout. Menu was a little different because of the holiday, but everything was amazing! Dishes I normally don't enjoy--potatoes au grautin--were some of my favorite parts of the meal. Drinks were good, but little difference between flavors, eg. passion fruit vs. guava. All-in-all a very unique flavor and great ambience.

went back to listen to Beleza Brasil . it was so much fun . Bashir's was understaffed i could tell but the waiters/tress worked their --- off. to keep everybody happy . what a staff. the food as usual was great especially the scalloped potato and the baklava. Nobody beats his Baklava . Kathy and Bashir keep up the good work .

I highly recommend Bashir’s for any dinner party, large or small. I recently hosted a conference dinner for 50 at Bashir’s. I chose Bashir’s from among several places I investigated on the Downtown Mall because he seemed so competent, the food and atmosphere was attractive, the price was better than other places of comparable quality, and because two different colleagues had hosted large dinners there with great success. Bashir’s exceeded my hopes in every way. The food was scrumptious. A married couple who live in town told me they enjoyed the food so much they plan to return frequently. Beyond the food, Bashir creates a great atmosphere for fellowship and merriment. When planning the event, he suggested a buffet-style in order to facilitate conversation among folks who may not be seated at the same table. He was absolutely right. He also greets everyone warmly. You really feel like you are being entertained to dinner at a family’s home, your own family! Bashir and his wife Kathy served individual plates of appetizers tailored to each person. Then, when the main dishes were available, Bashir played a drum to get folks’ attention. He described with pride each dish, including whether there were ingredients that may be a problem for some, such as dairy. The third course, desert, was delicious and was served with equal care and grace. The great food, warm atmosphere, and collegial conversation went by so fast I was surprised to learn that I had been there for three hours. Several conference attendees commented to me the next day how enjoyable and memorable dinner had been.

Always fresh, always awesome, always a favorite for us! Can barely wait for the patio to go down! LOVE THE PLACE AND the staff!

Awesome food, service, environment, prices, dancers.

Highly recommend.

The best ham and lamb I have ever eaten!

Attentive staff and management.

Beautiful entertainment.

We spent New Year's at Bashir's with another couple. we had a great time and had incredibly good food. 5 courses : a delicious rosted vegetable soup topped with a dollop of cream, a trio of appetizers ( spinach and feta purse,stuffed grape leaves and a fennel salad to die for.)
i had a wonderful seafood medley.my hubby, a very tasty pigeon pie with almonds . our friends had the same and we finished with an incredible Tiramisu. the price was very reasonable and the evening very classy with a violin and piano player not too loud. thank you for a wonderful evening.

Bashir's is my long-time favorite restaurant. Bashir and Kathy are cooking artists! Their ham and turkey are of the highest quality (or they don't buy them, even if it means a missing menu item) and taste better than anywhere else. Other favorites include: their roasted veggies with romesco sauce, their seseme chicken, and their moussaka and kebab specials. I also love that they serve three kinds of salads. I use Bashir's for catering and work parties, as well, and have never been dissatisfied.

Bashir's always serves quality food, using fresh ingredients prepared with flair and care. The prices may be a bit higher than other places on the mall, but it's so completely worth it. It allows Bashir to use the best ingredients. Try the Moussaka or the Chicken Souvlaki sandwich- good stuff.

Terrific food and a wonderful staff and atmosphere. Will definitely be back!

Food was absolutely delicious! The staff was genuinely excited to serve us and a lot of fun. Great atmosphere too! Will definitely go back many times.

We have had two office dinners there and the food is always amazing. The staff also provides top-notch service.

What a great place to eat. The food was out of this world and the atmosphere was absolutely perfect!

Delicious! Great food, nice atmosphere, friendly owner.

The food is fantastic!! Thank you!

Our company holiday party was just held at Bashir's, and I was completely impressed. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was calming, and the staff could not have been more accommodating. I would definitely recommend giving this place a visit!

The company I work for had its annual holiday party at Bashir's Taverna. I had never been to this restaurant before but I had heard good things. The food and service really impressed me - definitely exceeded my expectations.

Bashir is a very nice guy (and funny, too), and he was especially kind to the children - he even brought them a special dessert that "us grown-ups" weren't allowed to have. The atmosphere was great and I never saw anything but smiles. Highly recommended.

This was such a disappointment. I went in after having read all of these fantastic reviews, thinking that it was going to be a great meal. I ordered the moussaka and my friend ordered their kebobs. My moussaka was only okay -- nothing too special. My friend's kebobs, however, were cool and definitely not fresh off the grill. We gave him one last chance with the desserts by ordering these little tarts and they were too sweet and heavy for our tastes. All in all, definitely not worth the $45 dollars I paid!

My wife and I used Bashir's for our weding rehearsal dinner. Bashir was an amazing help and walked us through every step of the way. He closed down the inside of the restaurant for us and welcomed us all in as if we were part of his family. THe food was amazing, the service brilliant and we could not have wished for a better evening.

If you are thinking at all of using Bashir for an event, I encourage you to do so.

Outstanding - cooked right there by Bashir and his wife - excellent lean meats - authentic Algerian spices - really well-done. Plus Bashir is just a good guy, and the sparks that fly back in the kitchen sometimes between him and his wife are good for a laugh. Two thumbs up.

my experience has been good as usual. wish they could open more nights during the week

My wife Karon and I chose to use Bashir’s Taverna to host our son’s wedding rehearsal dinner. We looked for a family oriented and family run establishment with a heavy dose of the Owner’s personality included to season this once in a lifetime evening experience. Katherine and Bashir delivered all of this and more.

It is rare in this culture of national chain restaurants to enjoy a dinner out and feel like you have been at the home of friends. Friends who genuinely seem to care about you and do care what you think about them, in return.

Why do we feel this way after a warm and cozy evening for seventy three out-of-town guests?

 When we booked the evening, the Khelafas did not ask for a deposit even though we would have gladly paid one. To us, it was expected.
 Bashir overworked to help us create an unusual, yet perfect menu for our guests from such diverse places as Florida, Wisconsin, Colorado and California.
 The Khelafas went beyond accommodating as our guest list ballooned the closer we got to the evening of the dinner.
 The ambiance was that of a large and well appointed home. Our party filled the dining room and magically our three families, the Bride’s, the Groom’s and the Khelafas all became one family for an evening.
 Bashir even came to me personally and recommended that I close the bar, to his own financial detriment, when he saw that a few of the guests had quenched their thirsts enough for one evening. He said he always wanted to be known as a “family restaurant with a bar, not just a bar.”
 They say the “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. The proof of the eating was that seventy-three persons from all compass points of our Nation, raved about the food. They said that the food tasted like the dining room felt… as if one had just spent the evening at family holiday celebration.

If Katherine and Bashir can host the perfect evening for seventy –three of our family and new family, they can certainly host yours.
Chalottesville is fortunate to have Bashir’s Taverna as part of its restaurant mix.

We had wedding rehearsal dinner at Bashir's and the food was lovely and most delicious. Additionally, the owners and staff were a delight to work with. I would highly recommend for any event and will be sure to dine there again every time I visit Charlottesville.

We had a WONDERFUL rehearsal dinner for about 70 people at Bashir's. The food was excellent and abundant. The atmosphere was beautiful, friendly and festive. Above all, the hospitality offered by Kathy and Bashir went above and beyond the call of duty. We had guests with special dietary needs [Kashrut] whom they not only accommodated by buying new utensils to prepare their food, but they also prepared their food before the Sabbath began!! This was extraordinary. Plus, I estimated 50 guests, so when 15-20 more arrived, I was a bit worried. No need. Bashir and his staff quickly added tables and chairs and were completely gracious. The lovely belly dancer added to our evening's enjoyment. And we were able to take home our leftovers!! Yes, there were still leftovers. Kathy and Bashir made everything so easy and comfortable, we felt like we were with very good friends.

went back to Bashir with 2 friends from New york city. they loved the food we had the famous ham,the baked salmon and the chicken pot pie which was to die for . the place was crowded and the service a bit slow but the food made up for it,the baklava as usual was scrumptious. My friends were really impressed by the food and the decor.They promised to come back and try other restaurants in Charlottesville

i have to admit that there is real passion in some chef's cooking and Bashir and two other restaurants in Charlottesville are really consistent in quality. my wife who is hard to please ( from the city) loves the place just like me for the freshness and the superb taste. Try the couscous with lamb or the lamb with fresh rosemary . aah thank you

I have been to Bashir's twice and don't get what all the fuss is about. We've had the Algerian chicken (dry, needed more flavor), the veggie pot pie (great) and the chicken pot pie (seemed reheated). The food is probably overpriced, but it's charlottesville so I don't mind too much. However, the service is really lacking, and the waiters frequently forget to refill your water and bring silverware. We won't be returning. It's a shame that there are NO really good mediterranean restaurants here in cville.

We were so happy with our experience at Bashir's Taverna! Bashir and his wife Kathy worked very hard to make our rehearsal dinner absolutely perfect. In planning the rehearsal dinner, we had three main requests: it needed to seat at least 60 people, it needed to reflect the local area, and it needed to fit our style. Bashir’s perfectly met these requests and, in fact, far exceeded our expectations. The food was amazing; the service was phenomenal; and the atmosphere was perfect. Many of our out of town guests commented that they looked forward to eating there again upon return trips to Charlottesville. Bashir made sure everyone felt welcome and in fact one of my most poignant memories of the evening was watching Bashir give my 7-year old nephew a lesson on the bongo. We’ve heard about a lot of good rehearsal dinner venues in town – but my wife and I strongly believe that Bashir’s Taverna has to be the best.

Each dish was piquant and excellent; as was the service outside when we went there for lunch.

Bashir did an incredible job at a wedding in Batesville. It was an outdoor reception in a tent for 200 people. it was pouring and the tent was in an incline. it was muddy and yet he and his crew were just incredible ,they saved the day with an incredible service and great food. they even helped mulch around the dinner tables during the ceremony.it was a fantastic wedding. it was like dinner impossble and i hope somebody made a video of this unique event. it ought to be on youtube

Bashir and Kathy catered our daughter's wedding in June and the food was just wonderful. All worked hard to help us celebrate a memorable event.

Bashir catered our 25th anniversary. The food was amazing, exactly how we asked for it and beyond what we had dreamed. The service was friendly and professional, the presentation beautiful. We are hoping to use him again for our kids' weddings!

We had a welcome to Charlottesville party at Bashir's to kick off our daughter's wedding weekend in mid April. It was absolutely fabulous. Bashir served a wonderful meal including his famous ham, chicken souvlaka, salmon, roasted vegetables, couscous, almond cookies and baklava, and wonderful appetizers. Our guests begged for the recipes. It was a great place for dinner with relaxed comfortable seating, easy parking in the Market Street garage, and a great location on the mall. Bashir's is very attractively decorated so there is no need for additional decorations which is a big help when arriving from out of town with a million wedding items on the to-do list. Bashir made it very simple for us.
The specialty cocktails were also a big hit. Bashir and his staff made everyone feel totally welcome with the warm, cozy environment. We have eaten lunch and dinners there but have not had experience with a party but it was great for our group of about 50 and I would highly recommend it.

I visited this restaurant expecting a decent dinner. What I *got* was, hands down, the most fabulous Mediterranean meal I have ever experienced.

The wait staff was very attentive, and not obsequious or flashy. The rhythm of the meal was well prepared. The food was excellent - the lamb was tender and moist, the chutney was very tasty and flavorful, the mint yogurt was the perfect complement to the lamb, the rice was cooked very well.

Additionally, Bashir has a good eye for belly dancers (the dancer who started her set as we were finishing up our meal was *very* good) and a deft hand with a doumbek.

I cannot recommend this place highly enough. If you ever have a chance to eat at Bashir's, run, don't walk, to get there as soon as you can.

We held a private event at Bashir's and it was excellant. The food was wonderful, Bashir and his staff were great hosts and the atmosphere was warm and comfortable. Our guests completely enjoyed the evening and many commented that they plan to return on their own. I would recommend Bashir's to anyone wishing to have a party or reception. Their location and availability of the parking garage adds to the event.

Thanks to Bashir and Cathy, I have been able to provide special late-night, post-concert dinners for artists from around the world. The artists are delighted and grateful for the wonderful food and warm, exuberant hospitality showered on all of them. It is a delight to experience Bashir's Taverna.

I recently held a small party there and myself and all the other guest were very pleased. Delicious food, excellent service, great ambiance.

Best of the best. Wonderful vegetarian options, and the baklava is like no other I've ever tasted. We can only hope they can weather the mall-rebricking and slow economy. I would hate to see a place like this close.

My group of about 50 recently held a dinner at Bashir's Taverna. The setting was perfect, with low lights and intimate tables fostering friendly and productive conversation. The food, chosen by Bashir himself, was outstanding, with a buffet of dishes to meet every taste and food requirement. The waitstaff was excellent as well, and the entire evening and the buffet line were overseen by Bashir and his wife, and their friendliness added to the success of the evening. I heard compliments from many of the attendees. We would certainly use this restaurant again for an event, and I recommend its consideration to others. Well done, Bashir.

My sports team recently held awinter banquet at Bashir's Taverna, and everyone with whom I spoke enjoyed the meal. In my opinon, the food was fantastic. If your idea of Mediterranean food is limited, visit Bashir's and you will enjoy a tasty and filling variety of Mediterranean dishes. Also, the atmosphere is comfortable but spectacular, and certainly fun.

Bashir's Taverna is a delicious restaurant with a superb atmosphere. There are beautiful lamps, very comfy cushioned seats, and nice tapestry. The food is excellent, I had ham and salmon with cous-cous and chickpeas, and it was delicious, especially with the sauces! Dinner is a little bit expensive, but it is a fantastic restaurant to go to for special occasions.

My wife and I joined another couple at Bashir's for New Year's Eve - a tradition we have enjoyed for a number of years. First, the service was great; Bashir welcomed us with open arms, literally. Next, the food was fantastic - there were light appetizers that were wonderful. The main courses had choices that were hard to make; I opted for the lamb confit Tajine, while my wife enjoyed the salmon Dersa. Our companions had the lamb and seafood Paella. As if that wasn't enough, we finished with Bashir's famous Bakalva, flaky and sweet. This is our favorate resturant in C'ville - we are never disappointed, and the atmosphere is quietly elegant and comfortable.

Wow, delicious and fresh food. I got one of the specials, a 'brick' which was a delicate phyllo pastry filled with a delicious spiced potato and beef mixture and baked. It came with a very nice tomato and cucumber salad.

Cup of soup was really great also. Very reasonable prices for the quality.

best value and freshest ingredients on the downtown mall.

I had both a wonderful rehearsal dinner for 50 in May and a larger, 2-month post-wedding party/reception for 125 in July at Bashir's and each time Bashir and Kathy went above and beyond the call of duty in providing great food, wondeful atmosphere, and thoughtful, professional service. I can't recommend them highly enough!!

Woody Sherman

My daughter's rehearsal dinner for 52 out of town guests was here a couple weeks ago. We are still receiving compliments about the wonderful food and lovely atmosphere. Everyone had a great evening. Having the whole restaurant allowed guests to meet and mingle easily without disturbing other diners. The wait staff was friendly and helpful. Bashir's welcoming personality also made the evening fun. Bashir's food selections were excellent and even our not so adventurous eaters were pleased. Kathy and Bashir were a pleasure with and I would highly recommend their restaurant to other brides.

Rehearsal dinner on July 25 for 48 was superb. Entrees included Apricot glazed ham, salmon with dill sauce and souvlaki chicken. Buffet was served with skill.Sauces were wonderful.Almond blueberry cookies are "to die for." Guests raved about the food, the ambiance. Bashir is a gentleman to deal with--- all of this delivered on a handshake. Thanks for a great memory km

Recently hosted a rehearsal dinner here and the event was wonderful. The food was all excellent with a really nice variety in the buffet. The service was also great - Bashir and his wife were very accomodating and were able to take care of any request we asked of them, including supplying one of the best cakes I've ever eaten as a birthday surprise for my grandmother. It was a really enjoyable event and I only heard good feedback from all the guests. Thanks!

We had our large (65 people) rehearsal dinner at Bashir's and it went perfectly. The staff were courteous and helpful, and Bashir was there to ensure that the evening went smoothly. The food was absolutely amazing--my mother, who never eats ham, ate a second helping of Bashir's apricot glazed ham. The ambiance was great, Bashir was gregarious and helpful and kind, and the food was truly spectacular.

We had an interesting experience here one recent Friday evening after Friday's After Five. We stopped in thinking the menu looked tempting, and there were fun drink options. However, we sat and waited and waited and waited for at least 20 minutes while others who arrived after us were served. Finally we got a server to pay attention to us, but after taking our drink order (no food order, although we told him we were ready to order food) he vanished. Another 20 minutes passed before we felt we needed to flag someone down for service. Eventually the owner saw to it that we were served, and the rest of the meal was pretty good. The hummus was great,but my dish did not come as described in the menu (ingredients were missing). I would say it is overpriced considering the poor service, but worth a try if you want something different from the average burger place.

I found the food and service excellent. I would certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to enjoy delicious food in a friendly atmosphere. Thank you to our waitress, Marylyn Smith, for her attention.

My favorite spot on the Downtown Mall. I try to eat here at least once a month. The sampler platters are really great--a symphony of Middle Eastern tastes. The ham draws raves, but my favorite is the lamb.

I rented out the restaurant for a banquet for my organization and what a great idea it was!! Bashir and his wife were both so kind and helpful throughout the planning process, the food was AMAZING and the service excellent. All of the 44 people in my group had a wonderful time!

One of the best and most unique restaurants in or near the area. Fresh cooked from scratch and original recipes the flavors and the styles of cooking take you on a culinary journey. The care with which the proprietors-Bashir and his lovely wife Kathy take with both the cooking and care of the customers is exceptional. I once walked in just before Christmas to a sight from Gourmet magazine-dozens of Hams all set up for Christmas dinners all over town. One taste told me why and I ordered one for my family.
I have suggested this restaurant to many people, all of whom have thanked me for a great evening out. They also have outstanding lunches,great salads,baklava,and try the award winning roasted Turkey as well

Saturday night at Bashir;
Great service though hectic sometimes because the place was packed . the belly dancer was ok i guess since i do not know much about dancing( i have two left feet)the food was absolutely amazing ;i had the lamb confit with almonds and raisins which was so delicately balanced with a hint of Cinnamon and Saffron,my friend had the Algerian chicken which she adored. We finished our dinner with a scrumptious Baklava and a rich Tiramisu.waht a night.

This is a classic example of a restaurant in which the decor far exceeds the quality of the food. I'm not even sure if it is a Middle Eastern Restaurant as some people have been claiming as the chicken entree I ordered was prepared in "Morrocan/Algerian spices". Clove was overused and masked the flavor of most of the dishes and the chicken released water onto the dish because of unwise cooking decisions. We were also the only customers in the restaurant on a Saturday night which in fact does not surprise me.

We returned once more for New Years Eve, a tradition my wife and I, with a couple who are close friends. We found the food to be wonderful, as always. Somehow Bashir is always able to capture the flavors and sense of the Middle East - this time with great entertainment that included a belly dancer.
But what brings us back consistently are two things - 1) the great food, and 2) the personal service, often by Bashir himself.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Love everything about this place--food, friendly, quirky (in a nice way) service, decor, location--Everything!

We have been going to Bashir's since it was a small sandwich shop across the mall from its current location, and now that it is a true resturant, we dine there regularly. Having traveled to the Middle East frequently, Bashir has captured the flavors and tastes of the region - from the lamb sausage to the humus & bread. Anyone who comments otherwise simply hasn't been there! We recently hosted a large group of close friends and relatives - about 35 in all. We had kinfolk from Mississip to Vermont to New York to the Carolinas. Bashir offered up his wonderful apricot glazed ham and his wonderful chicken - his wine choices were supurb. The service was warm and efficient and EVERYONE raved over the food. Our friends and cousins are still talking about that night. So, bottom line - from a quiet, elegant & intimate dinner for you & your lady to a gathering of kinfolk, I highly recommend Bashirs.

Ate at Bashirs for the third time last Sunday. First itme I had the Spicy Saffron shrimp which was excellent, with enough heat to keep me interested and perfectly cooked shrimp. The second time I had the special, which was a mixed seafood dished wrapped in puff pastry and baked in the oven. Freaking amazing. I just had the apricot ham, and would have finished about a 4 pound serving if I could have commando raided the kitchen!

Whoever says Bashir's is overpriced seems unaware of the current restaurant scene...though I've only been for lunch, so can't comment on the value-to-price ratio of dinner. Lunch is cheap and tasty. Atmosphere is intriguing. Though packed, service was quicker than many slower places. My dining companion commented that a meal here was half the price (and much more delicious) than his previous day's lunch at a certain fast-food place. Look forward to trying dinner on the one night per week they're open!

Food was absolutely overpriced. $18 for pretty plain chicken, white rice, and a slop of veggies that was underseasoned and overcooked. Service was slow as molasses in january and awful at that. We had a large party...and as a server once myself I know how that can be...but we waited forever to even order drinks, then waited forever + another 15 mins to order food. They were out of half of the wine on the list. They had only one beer on the list. Sodas were served by the can. The menu had blatant spelling errors. The server forgot the glass of wine I had ordered and then made a big deal about splitting the check. I ended up paying $30 for a very bland and unremarkable meal and crappy wine. I would not recommend this restaurant...details and service are not the strong points here.

The food is wonderful beyond belief, the decor is awesome, and the service provided by Mary Lynne and Ashley is great.

We plan to return to Bashir's often!!!

Leland & Kathie

Had dinner tonight at Bashirs and the whole experience was just lovely. We were greeted nicely, seated promptly and offered a review of specials by the boss himself. Waitstaff was fantastic, attentive, knowledgable and unobtrusive. Couscous with chicken and the lamb special Machoui were excellent - just the right gentle spices and herbs. Special featured Algerian wine was a little risky for these wine drinkers - - - but turned out to be a great choice for the meal, and a bargain. Traditional belly-dancer who performed during dinner was artistic and skilled. Would definitely go to Bashir's again.

Flavors are not very Middle Eastern. Food was dry. Good service.

what can i say about it .it is consistant quality as i said before .went back great experience and just found out that they have been featured in DER spiegel jan 0907 as truly global cuisine . bashir himself told me that.they define mediterranean cuisine not the cheap and shortcut version.i think like my friend Will said " bashir is a genius who does not know it

Truly a terrific meal. My boyfriend and I stumbled into this place not able to find anywhere on the Mall that would seat us without a reservation, and it turned out to be one of the top two restaurants at which we've eaten since we moved to C-ville.

The atmosphere is just delightful - subtle lighting and decor, plus well-spaced-out tables make it a perfect spot for a date. But the food is what sets this place apart from most other restaurants downtown: the roasted eggplant appetizer is delectable (and unexpected, as it comes with all meals); even the appetizer salad is scrumptious. He had the chicken souvlaki, which was baked and seasoned to absolute perfection. I had the apricot glazed ham. which the New York Times was spot on in describing as simply delightful. Even the saffron rice and roasted vegetable medley served with each entree was ineffably savory.

Can't wait to go back - this has now been dubbed one of our two local faves.

my wife and i have our own business, one of them is a restaurant and we think that the owners of bashirs are amazing : the quality has been consistant. i have never had a bad meal there.i have recently seen the owners and staff of another restaurant eat there.

The first time I went with a friend, the food was good. The 2nd time, I went with my boyfriend and the food was great! The 3rd time I went, the food was cold which made it unappetizing, to say the least. It can be hit or miss when you go.

We only had the tapas plate, but it was not very good. Everything tasted kind of warmed over and not terribly fresh. Service was friendly, if kind of clueless.

We had a Bashir prepared turkey for Thanksgiving - succulent, tender, moist and flavorful with a crispy golden-brown skin and served with a splendid stuffing! If you want to avoid the headache of preparing the holiday turkey (or he'll do ham as well), I can highly recommend ordering from Bashir's.

Great food, nice place to sit down and relax.

The vegetarian special is amazing.

This is one of the best places in
Charlottesville. Authentic food, interesting wines and entertainment;
you never know what to expect. It is not expensive compared to other places on the Mall.

Here are the hours for Bashir's:

Lunch
Tuesday - Thursday 11:30AM to 3PM
Friday 11:30AM to 2:30PM

Dinner
Friday 6 to 10:30PM
with Live Music
Saturday 6 to 10:30PM
featuring Bellydancing

I know this as I am working on a web site for him. I think the construction of the Pavillion hurt his business as they had that end of the Mall boarded up and he cut back on some of his hours.

Couldn't say if the food is good...this place is ALWAYS closed. It's very frustrating! We tried to go there last Thursday night for dinner, and they were closed for a private party. They are always closed and we're sick of it. Forget Bashir's...we've given up on it!

this is a real creative mediterranean restaurant. ah the flavors ,the service and ambience. it is consistent. bravo

enjoyed the atmosphere but the food was sub-par. The price was also a little high for what was being served.

The owner of Bashir's makes you feel at home. The food is excellent and for dessert-try the baklava...it's his own-fresh out of the oven with a twist. Live entertainment wasn't too loud and the atmosphere was great. The nicest thing about dining there was paying attention to the owner, how he was so nice to his new waitstaff-training them at the same time he was serving wine to a customer. You can tell he cares about people-and that's what the service industry should be about.

Went to eat at Bashir's with a fairly large group on a Friday. Service was very good, owner made several recommendations, including the apricot-glazed ham--not something I would usually order, but it was delicious. Appetizer sampler was great as well. The menu selections are a good value at approx. $15 per entree. Owner (Bashir?) took very good care of us and the other people dinng in our immediate vicinity, constantly scurrying among the tables. Will definitely return.

i was there on friday 1/24, George turner ( guitar) was great. the food was great. i'd rather pay for that tasty sampler which was not very expensive@15.00. extremely tasty and filling. i 've been going to bashir's for years
There was no cover for the music. Fridays are casual but saturdays are fancy with real china, a belly dancer and a more elaborate menu.

There was some buzz surrounding Bashir's so we decided to check it out this past weekend. It very much had the feel of a brand new restaurant (Dixie plastic plates, Pyrex ramakins for sauces) so it's surprising it's been around for several years.

I'd say Bashir's is close to be a very good and different C'ville dining experience. The band playing and the fact that the place was busy, created a very warm and impressive feel when you first walk-in. The tapas style menu is a good idea, and it's fun to sample things I normally wouldn't order.

But the table for 2 was very small, the service was just ok and the salad was way too small for the $5.50 price. All-in-all, when I pay $22.00 for dinner (food only) I'd rather it not be served on a plastic plate. Bashir's would be well worth the experience with lower prices, or well worth the prices with a better dining experience.

If freshness of ingredients and delicacy of flavor is the measure of food, Bashir's is the best restaurant in Charlottesville. Of course, at lunch it's served on styrofoam plates. But don't let that fool you. The falafel is just crisp on the outside, tender as a first love on the inside. Some afternoons I taste the chick pea salad in my memory and MUST, I say, MUST have it immediately. Bless you, Bashir.

Bashir may well be the nicest person on the planet. Kathy too. so they fight? so what? You try working with your spouse. You get one of the lunch platters, with like 39 tiny different (all delicious) salads and some sliced perfectly roasted lamb, (it's cheap as dirt considering you'll be eating the other half for dinner) and you'll immediately forget the trauma...

Bashir and his wife are like Ricky and Lucy ... they bicker, but for them it works. The food is great and Bashir is a sweetheart. When you go, they make you feel like family (including the fighting).

I really like Bashir and I have been going to the restaurant since the late 90s. However, the tension between Bashir and his wife gets very uncomfortable at times. I would love to suggest to them that they limit their bickering to the back room. I once saw her hit him at the register, and not in a playful way. It was embarrassing. But the food makes it worth it.

bashir's rude? you can never find nicer restauranteors.

Easily one of the two or three finest restaurants in town. Incredible soups and a friendly, sophisticated ambience - everything on the menu is special.

Great, great food at Bashir's -- they really know how to combine ingredients to give each dish that extra "something special"!

Oh, and Bashir's is no longer a cramped "Take Out" space -- the new name is Bashir's Taverna, very comfortable and inviting.

Previously someone wrote, "I've been here twice, and both times the owner was very much on the rude side."

I would say that in Bashir's previous small location occasionally you could detect some tension and they might seem brusque, but I never found them rude.

The new spacious restaurant next to the Post Office is wonderful and, as always, the food here is made with love and you can taste it!

I love the new decor. Belly dancing is a novel idea and fun on a friday night

I've been here twice, and both times the owner was very much on the rude side.