Shalel Lounge
“Once you descend down the stairs lined with rose petals you enter into an environment that transports you into another world.”
“Exposed brick, alcoves and archways, rough hewn wood, winding metal, candles as the main form of illumination…oh mercy.”
“Its exposed brick gives it a hearth-like feel, reminiscent of the Evelyn Lounge which is also located on the UWS.”
Shalel Lounge
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Beautiful basement place for a romantic night. We came here for valentine's day the first time and it was great. The whole experience was super cozy, the decor, the service and the food. Plenty of food though because it was a prix fixed menu and you know how much a girl can eat. But… more for me! So it was cool since they have a vast variety of plates. The scallops were amazing like in every place they have scallops. The tagine is also a go-to dish. If you are in a Moroccan place, tagine is a safe choice. For the vegetarian, vegan or meat lovers, you have all the options.
The spreads are also a must. I looooove spreads. Hummus, baba ganoush, yogurt, pita, etc.
Not super cheap but a very nice date night with your other half.
I… can't see my food.
It's okay. It's all part of the ambiance here, one of the cooler ones I've ever seen in a restaurant, let alone in New York. Feels like you're exploring King Tutankhamen's tomb as you find your dining spot… along with the ethnic music and candlelit tables, it's really a gateway to another world.
Food was excellent. Loved the potato gnocchi, my wife's beef sofrito was excellent too.
the -1 star is a big one. They were understaffed. Waitress was really super nice, but I think she was the only one in the whole restaurant, charged with serving multiple tables while navigating the restaurant like Indiana Jones. Long waits at times despite having an early Sunday dinner.
Also, my god, the drink prices. $13 for a tempranillo? $9 a piece for a Hoegaarden? $9 for a bruschetta appetizer with a child-size portion? This place is not a good value, that's for certain.
Still, I'm rounding up to four stars, because everything else makes for a really cool dining experience. Just watch your drink orders and the bill won't skyrocket.
Love this gem. Has to be one of the most romantic places in NYC. Cozy dimly lit and intimate ambiance w candles, roses and interesting rod iron, lamp and distressed brick and stone details. Even a little waterfall toward the back.
Hidden on a side street, rose petals strewn down the steps and on the tables … Roses roses – candles and little lamps throughout. Little nooks where you can sit privately on cozy sofas and chairs… Character abound and feels like you're in a cavern with little hidden cavernous alcoves to sit with a date or even groups.
The drinks are well made. This time I had a chocolate martini and it was delicious. And the server this visit was very sweet and attentive.
I have not eaten here so cannot talk to the Moroccan food but have been here for after dinner cocktails many times.
Definitely recommend as a romantic date spot.
This was really a cool experience eating at Shalel Lounge; basement setting, dim lighting, petals galore, nice waitress, and cool Moroccan restaurant.
However, there were some things that were not cool about this restaurant. It was so dark that I could see my food or my husband, who was sitting across from me. I felt like I was a blind person. Luckily I did not poke myself with a fork or spilled wine.
The drinks and appetizers were outrageously priced and portions were underwhelming, even for NYC. My beef sofrito with the dates was flavorful, but considering it was "slow cooked", I was expecting my beef to be softer.
If you go there, just have dinner. Go to another place for your alcoholic beverages.
Whoaaa this place is sexy!
Shalel Lounge is a GREAT date spot, with 4 stars alone for ambiance! It's a subterranean lounge that's dark and cavelike, with tucked away seating in hidden corners, candlelight and rose petals scattered everywhere.
Sit near the bar if you're looking for a more casual evening of conversation and staring into each others eyes. If you're not on date number one (or even if you are, because who am I to judge), try to get the prime seating in the back area, which is perfect for conversation and canoodling…
The cuisine is Moroccan, and if you're hungry they offer small plates to nibble on, but I found the food to be just ok. The cocktails also, but I think it depends on what you order. If you like very sweet drinks, you might actually enjoy them. Regardless of what you're looking for, it's worth stopping in for the killer ambiance. Chances are good that you will not be going home alone either. Enjoy!
This is one of the ultimate date spots in NYC. I came here post-watching a movie at the Lincoln Sq Theatre and was blown away. Firstly, I'm a sucker for Harry Potter – esque things and I thought it was adorable how the sign for Shalel Lounge had the address 65 1/2 W 70th St.
Anyway, not to defocus from the main experience. Once we arrived and saw the sign for Shalel Lounge, we climbed down the stairs and we noticed (a very small section) of outdoor seating. It wasn't really tables and chairs, but mainly a bar-like seating arrangement with a high-top ledge and high-top stools.
Inside the underground cavern, the place is dimly lit with candles galore. There are multiple rooms for seating. There is a private room right at the entrance with comfy sofas and cushions to recline on. Once you pass the first private room, there is a general area with a bar and tables / chairs. We ended up in the "Red Room" towards the back (another private area). This one is semi-enclosed by curtains lining the stone walls with a circular sofa and table in the middle. It was an area fit to seat 5-6 but was nice to have the spot for the 3 of us.
In terms of food, there were plenty of options to choose from with dishes coming from all parts of the Mediterranean. Choosing was probably the most difficult part. We ended up getting a hummus sampler platter to share and I got the Tarte Flambee. I have never had a Tarte Flambee before and loved the taste! It was, however, on the sweeter side.
Our server was superb. She gave us suggestions about what to eat, was very attentive to our needs and set us up with the sweet spot in the Red Room. I would recommend this place, especially for an intimate romantic night out.
Rose petals, dim lighting, intimate and comfy couches, great service, below-average noise level = perfect date night location!
As other reviewers mentioned, the Shalel Lounge is below street level on the North East corner of 70th street. My date and I each ordered a glass of wine as well as bacon wrapped dates and the lamb meat balls. The wines are overpriced, and perhaps because of that, I noticed the other customers (mostly couples) were also drinking conservatively (at most 2 drinks, if even).
The bacon wrapped dates were okay – the bacon was thick and crunchy and the date gave off a hint of sweetness, but they weren't anything to rave about. I think there were like 6 pieces on the plate (along with lettuce and tomatoes), so the portions aren't huge here either.
My date and I did however, very much enjoy the lamb meat balls! The meat balls were quite tender, and very thoroughly and evenly seasoned. They come with pita, so this particular dish feels more filling.
I think my date and I stayed here for around 3.5 hours on a Saturday evening. Even though we didn't order more foods/drinks though, the servers never gave us bad looks or gave us the check without us asking first. They also continually filled our water cups. Talk about great service!
Romantic: Check
Good Food: Check
Service: Check (well, okay, slightly slow, but it was Valentine's Day)
The perfect place to set your belongings (or self!) on fire if you aren't careful: Check!
I came here on Valentine's Day as a few other recent reviewers did, however, we opted to sit in the very small front room so as to avoid the prix fixe menu. We started with the pita and hummus (super fresh, warm pita), and ordered the eggplant parmesan and chicken kebobs with yogurt sauce. I will say, had we not had the appetizer to start, we both would have been hungry after our entrees alone. The eggplant parmesan, however, was honestly my favorite I've ever had! The perfect amount of tenderness without crossing that line into "soggy." The tomato based sauce is quite different from an Italian sauce (which I anticipated), but what I didn't anticipate was how much more I preferred it!
I do think they could stand a bit more light in here; I couldn't read the menu without the assistance of my phone and noticed others doing the same. Also as I mentioned, the candles are a beautiful touch, but I was so hesitant any time I moved!