Shiraz

I tried going to Shiraz for the $15 lunch promotion on September 6.  I arrived at 2pm and they were closed. The Clarke Quay promo website says they are open for lunch from 12-2:30pm but obviously this is not true. I would have liked to have tried the food. I traveled all the way from the East Coast with my daughter but it was obviously not to be. I tried sending an email to the email address on the Shiraz website info@shirazfnb.com to find out what happened but it got bounced. Perhaps the owner would like to clarify on this forum.

The waiters were really dedicated to my table. Maybe its because there weren't crowds. I'm surprised at how long the each grain of saffron rice is. The main course, chicken kebab and lamb stew were delicious. I would suggest that Singaporeans go for the ice cream desserts rather than the BAGHLAVA or the cream caramel. I don't think it would suit your liking. At around 730pm, the belly dancer would start her performance while u enjoy your meal.

My wife suggested this place for lunch as she saw it in the expat magazine so i looked it up and saw some reviews and thought oh god it doesnt look good. Anyway, not being impressed with any middle eastern style places in singapore we had nothing to lose.
We turned up for the opening of lunch on Mothers Day Sunday and were the first there. We stood at the entrance and saw one woman setting tables. She saw us but kept on setting the table. I thought at that point the poor reviews must be right. After a minute or so i asked if there was anyone working here. I was tempted to just walk straight back out. Anyway we were saved, a fellow came out and seated us. 
There were only the two service staff on at this time and luckily we were served by the man. He was well spoken and professional. The name on the receipt was Faridah so if this was the fellow then congrats to you.
We ordered Hummus, stuffed vine leaves, Shah Kebab/Migon, mixed chicken and lamb kbdh with a baklava for dessert. The Shah kebab was excellent, very tender and cooked to perfection (med rare). I wasnt asked how i would like it cooked but im not fussy as i can eat steak blue to well done. If you like your meat cooked well, then better to specify it. The chicken and lamb dish was also very good according to my wife. The stuffed vine leaves were tasty and moist but could have done with some lemon. The Baklava was ordinary and perhaps from the day before. The pastry was too soggy and not fluffy and layered like you would get from a good lebo sweet shop in say Australia. 
The cost was of the shah kebab although a nice pice of meat was high at $45. It came with some nice buttered rice, a tomato and some token salad but if you consider the cost of a steak somewhere else it should be priced around $35 tops. Having said that, it was nice. All else was not unreasonable and we were given some complimentary olives, cheese and some garnishes to accompany the hummus.
Overall it was a pleasant enough time and in the end im glad we went and we did not experience the same poor level of service described in other reviews. My comments for this place being great for etc is based at dining at lunch on a Sunday.
 

Went to Shiraz for Persian appetizers. The food was quite good, the flavours came out well. The hummus was nicely done although the taste was somewhat different to what we were used to from authentic middle eastern restaurants in USA. The Shirazi salad was fantastic: a fresh creation of diced tomato, cucumber, onion and radish expertly put together - highly recommended.

The service was another story altogether. It was strange to see the wait staff walk right past you as if you were invisible when you first wait to be seated, which took a while. Thinking that everythig may take some time, we ordered right away as we were being seated, which worked out well (we had plenty of time to browse the menu while waiting to be seated). We sat outside which was pleasant, and my toddler son was fascinated by the belly dancer's freqent performances.

The shocker came when I asked our waitress for iced water. She came back to our table with our food but no water. My wife gently reminded her about the iced water. She reappeared and said that they do not serve iced tap water outside (outdoor seating), but that we could order either botled water or sparkling water. I asked the manager as to the reason why customers who were seated outside were not privy to iced tap water. The explanation I received left me rocking in disbelief: "Outside seating is generally for drinkers and shisha smokers. If they see you drinking iced water they will all ask for iced water". Afraid of what other bizarre response I may get, I did not ask the obvious as to why it was so blasphemous to serve everyone iced tap water...instead, I pointed out that, as a very basic requirement, I want water served with my food. Then the manager did the improbable task of topping his previous statement: "I will bring you a glass of iced water but I will put a slice of lemon in it to make to look like an alcoholic beverage". He produced a half-glass of water, loaded with ice and complete with a slice of lime and mini-straw. I promptly gave the gin-and-tonic look-alike to my two-year-old. See what the "boozing shisha smokers" will say about THAT. Very bizarre.

Some strong and very polarized opinions here about this restaurant, which is nice to see. Throws the rating scale a bit out of whack though, especially with if reviewers give unreasonably low ratings across all criteria for hygiene (a single issue), and for the wrong establishment (albeit a sister outlet)!

This is our second visit here over the past 2 years, and we’re still very happy with the food. That is, if you can get past the terribly inconvenient seating – squeeze in with the crowd on tiny chairs/tables outdoors, or be put in awkward corner tables indoors if you’re a small party. Marshall larger group and make reservations, and you get prime spot in the dining hall. Service is fine but get a bit frazzled during peak periods, which isn’t to say they don’t try hard to please with smiles and suggestions.

Bread course – Always very impressive to see the large flatbread and accompanying condiments (feta, gherkins, chives, olives etc). Yummy and all too easy to overeat at this point…

Mashed Eggplant – I forget the name, but this was an appetizer of roasted mashed eggplant mixed in with lamb meat. Rich, heavy and a portion good for 2-3 folks eaten with bread. I’m partial to eggplant so this was lovely, but a tad monotonous so perhaps another yoghurt-based side would liven things up.

Mixed Kubideh – One chicken and one lamb minced kebab marinated with exotic spices and grilled to juicy, mouthwatering heaven. It’s an achievement when a simple stick of grilled meat and some rice can steal the show at the table. Never had a juicier or more flavourful kebab.

Lamb and Okra Stew – Very hearty and home-style tomato-based stew, perhaps a little stingy on the lamb (although very generous with the ladies’ fingers). Delicious with the accompanying rice, but overshadowed surprisingly by the Kubideh.


I can understand the mixed opinions about this place. On one hand, the food is heavily overpriced (although portions are ample), restaurant layout is a bit of a pain, and diners averse to noise/distraction should avoid the belly dancing periods. On balance, most of the food is exceedingly delicious, which is the main point after all, and quite authentic (although I’m no expert, and Banoo put up a strong fight when it was still around). I’ll definitely be back, though not often, as it’s pricey for what you get.

Tried the lamb, chicken and Falafel doner kebabs and they are all fabulous.... especially after a late night of drinking. Careful with the jalapeno pepers because they can be a bit spicy.

Its very very rare to find persian food here.
And this is a good place.

We only ate their speciality which was Kebabs.
Best kebabs EVER. serious. High quality meat used and the chef was skillful in cooking them.

Lamb was favorite.

They gave basmati rice to go with.
Basmati rice is one of the most expensive rice avaliable (much more valued than Japanese short grain ones).
You can eat a plate of only basmati rice hands down. And they gave the higher grading ones.


Only went once so far and only ate a large range of kebabs and basmati. So my view can be a bit biased. Thumbs up for this experience.


Note: Items can be quite pricey over here, but since you don't see alot of persian food around, i'll gladly pay a premium

hygiene at this place used to be nice till i saw that they never wash their hands. these guise has plastic gloves on when they make the rolls of kebab but common they go out and sits on the payment with the trash bin for a smoke with the gloves on and that is the same one they use when they come back too.
the place is just awful i wonder how they got past the health crew. they should be shut down

Nice place to sit, the starters you get are fantastic. Their price is included in the other food you eat.

Good food, would be nice if there was a little more meat on the kebab. Overall overpriced.

I read about bad service, we didn't experience that the two (believe in a second chance) times we've been there.

Im kind of consfused with this place as I have been to the Middle East and neighbouring Iran a few times. There is a very big difference between Iranian and Arabic culture and food in the same sense that Japanese is different from Chinese culture and food.

I beg for someone to prove me wrong but these guys have copied the menu off some Lebanese restaurant and added a few Iranian modifications and come up with an Iranian restaurant.

Belly dancing is not Iranian, these are an Islamic country with hijab (Islamic headscalf), you can barely see their ankles!

Their music is all Arabic tunes, as heard all over Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain, Lebanon...

Mezza is so not Iranian, hummus and all that stuff is Lebanese!

They dont know what to put for desserts, they just want to sell so they have stuck Tiramisu and creame caramel: Is that Iranian?
The Baklava which they cannot even spell is Arabic...ggrrrhh!

The positive side of things:
Mains were very tasty, very large portions but overpriced, my plate had two lamb kebabs, rice and cost over $40, but hey let me disregard the price... we shared it. That was the positive.

Service: Would have been nice if they had napkis on the table, would have been appreciated if we didnt ask for cutlery, would really like it if I didnt need a chiro after sitting on uncomfortable seating.

Belly dancer...she's a local and fare enough she tried hard but it was momentarily as we were not interested, again so not Iranian.

Try Banoo on Mohamed Sultan Road for Iranian
Try Sanobar on One Fullerton for Lebanese
Try anywhere else.

My recommendation is for CQ to re-evaluate their standard...