Restaurant >
OPEN SESAMEMediterranean delights await behind Maraya's doors.
Photo by Gregg Matthews
Maraya at Sabrina's Restaurant | |
| Phone: | 407-856-8155 |
| Address: | 8100 Crystal Clear Lane
Orlando, FL 32809 |
More on Maraya at Sabrina's Restaurant. | |
You wouldn’t expect to find a restaurant on Orange Blossom Trail serving entrees at $30 per plate, but then again, who would expect a former Friendly’s restaurant, left to decay at the Sand Lake Road intersection for the past 8 years, to be gutted, refurbished at the cost of nearly $2 million and transformed into one of the most attractively ornamented restaurants in the city? Not many, I imagine, but there she stands, all dolled up and equipped to receive lovers of Mediterranean cuisine. Yet, unlike other segments of the strip, pleasure-seekers are nowhere to be seen, refuting the notion that if you build it they will come.
Inflated prices may have something to do with it, though lack of direct access to Maraya off either OBT or Sand Lake Road may also be a deterrent. But once inside, you can’t help but admire proprietor Violeta “Sabrina” Haddad’s interior design skills – the beautiful Italian porcelain tile floors alone are worthy of a prostrate perusal, and the wrought-iron wall hangings lend a pleasing rustic touch. Rustic touches appear on the menu as well, as in the simple roasted rack of lamb ($29.99), four succulent chops marinated in a blend of rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, cinnamon and other “Middle Eastern” seasonings that supplanted the lamb’s distinct flavor with an essence more akin to beef. Just as outstanding was the accompanying mound of rice, boiled in a veal-and-chicken stock that underscores the high standards of the kitchen. One sip of the broth in the chicken soup ($6.99) is all it takes to confirm the stock’s authenticity, while haricots verts and carrots add a bit of texture.
An appetizer plate of customary Lebanese staples ($15.99) offers a proper gastronomic cross-section of the owners’ native land: dense, crispy falafel; crackling kibbeh stuffed with seasoned ground beef, pine nuts and onions; creamy hummus with sesame tahini; zesty tabbouleh with fresh-squeezed lemon; and a flawless, garlic-tinged baba ghanoush.
Fish Parisienne ($17.99), spaghetti Bolognese ($14.99) and deep-fried Dubrovnik shrimp ($12.99) are somewhat representative of the region, but chicken kebabs ($16.99) are a truer, and extraordinary, Mediterranean offering. An assertive dip of garlic paste sharpened every juicy bite, augmented further by that wonderful rice. The beef kebabs ($19.99) proved too meager to endorse – I would’ve expected twice as much even if I were paying half the price.
Kenafa ($8.99), a baked pastry filled with semi-soft ackawi cheese and drizzled with a light syrup, ended the affair with intrigue. At once sweet, salty, flaky and sticky, the dense dessert filled the void left by the beef kebabs. Chocolate sauce and cinnamon overwhelmed the tiramisu ($7.99).
It’s a tall order, but if you can look beyond the prices, there’s some outstanding food to be had here, and if you can’t, prices on the lunch menu are much less steep. Even so, one can’t help but root for Maraya to press on in the face of facelessness and pull out all the stops to attract patrons to the restaurant. A new sign on OBT will help, as will belly dancers and a beautiful outdoor hookah terrace, but in the fickle world of the food and beverage industry, smoke and mirrors can only go so far.
Comments on this story:
On 7/31/2008 12:47:47 PM, Val said:
The quality of the food, always fresh, the decor and the staff have made Maraya's one of the most comfortable places for us to go; it is definitely one of our favorite restaurants; we go there at least once a week... it is well worth going "around the block" to get to!! Violet's daily specials have never disappointed us; Much good luck to them... keep up the good work, Val
On 7/31/2008 10:47:11 PM, Anonymous said:
My wife and I have visited this restaurant a few times last month and are so happy to have found it. It is hard to find the enterance in to the place but the food is soooo worth it. I can't help ordering the rack of lamb and enjoying its wonderful flavor. I have encouraged many of my friends to visit. For those that are concerned with price, one can enjoy a few appitizers and still leave with satifaction. The Hummus and Tabouleh are amazing to enjoy as well as homemade. I highly suggest this restaurant to anyone that wants to enjoy a new experience with a Mediterranean Theame.
--Joe Boy
On 8/1/2008 12:43:23 AM, Anonymous said:
I have been to Maraya's about half a dozen times and I must say, what a pleasure.. I have brought my family twice here and ever since all they want to eat is there! I do not find the place over priced at all. With t quality of thefood I am recieving I feel as if they're giving the plates for free. The hospitality there is excellent, you will love Violette's smile and food!
On 8/1/2008 9:58:01 AM, Anonymous said:
GOOD BYE FAST FOOD, GOOD BYE JUNK FOOD, GOOD BYE ALL YOU CAN EAT "ROTTEN BUFFET GET FAT FOOD" AND WELCOME THE OLD HOME COOKING, MY GRAND MOTHER IS ALIVE AGAIN FOR A LONG TIME, WHAT A JOY TO TASTE THIS AUTHENTIC MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE, THE QUALITY AND THE FRESHNESS OF THE APPETIZERS.THE WELL DECORATED FANCY RESTAURANT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD, MY FAMILY AND I LOVE THIS FOOD, FOR THE QUALITY OF FOOD WE GET IT'S NOT EXPANSIVE AT ALL, GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING OBT AND SAND LAKE PRETTY , I WONDERED FOR A LONG TIME WHEN AND WHO WILL RE-OPEN THIS SIT ALONE BUILDING THAT WAS DECAYING FOR ALMOST A DECADE NOW.
HUNTERS CREEK RESIDENT.
On 8/1/2008 10:49:03 AM, Anonymous said:
When I arrived at the restaurant at 7:30 pm and there was NO ONE else there, I should have taken the clue that there was something wrong here. I will say that the food (what there was of it) was good, but extremely overpriced ($25 for a plate of rice with one small chicken kabab and one small kefta kabob.) The service was extremely slow .... after we arrived, a birthday party arrived, and even though we were there first, they received priority. I would appreciate it if a restaurant would close when they have a party that precludes them from serving other customers. When I finally found a server to ask for the bill, I had to wait 15 minutes before they brought it back. And to top it off, they had the nerve to add a 20% SERVICE gratuity to the entire total of the bill. MY ADVICE: If you would like to experience some great Middle Eastern food, with great service and reasonable prices, drive a couple of miles up Sand Lake Road to Cedar's Restaurant!!!!!
On 8/1/2008 12:39:30 PM, Anonymous said:
I must say my first visit to this place was somewhat disappointing, I am really not a fan of this type of food, but I did come because my friends birthday was more inportant than my taste in food. First I have never been in a place that I had to wait 35 minutes to even get my first taste of food!!!! A glass of water and a small glass of wine that tasted like garage dirt and cost 6 dollars is not what I call pleasant. When I first came in there were no people in sight, so why did it take so long? I think they were planning how to cheat me out of my money! The people were nice, yes they were, but don't be fooled by their smiles. The food I ate was OK, but the amount that I paid was not. 25 dollars for one plate of food was not what I expected.Believe me the food was not worth that. I for one will never come back to this place and I advise others to find another location to have rice and kabobs. And some advice for the owners, next time you suggest a plate of food, mention the cost will take weeks to pay off. Oh, I forgot, your 20% tip that was mandated according to you, was what I would have used to buy my food for the week, Therefore I will go hungry for a week so you can have my money and eat it!
On 8/1/2008 4:57:19 PM, Anonymous said:
After waiting over a year for Maraya’s to open, we finally got to experience the unique cuisine that makes this restaurant what it is. From the time we first walked in the day they opened until last night, we have continued to support Maraya’s. Unlike most other dine in restaurants, there’s no wait! The money spent on our meals here is worth more than the wait time at other restaurants! Bring your appetite and take time to really taste and enjoy your night out. You walk through the door and wow! It’s beautiful. Our family dines there frequently. We enjoy taking business clients for lunch, too. Over the past few months, we have tried every dish on the menu! Pesto Pasta, Lasagne, Spaghetti, Fish and Chicken Piccata are all tasty. The eggplant parmigiana and rack of lamb left our taste buds tingling for more. The salads are just as incredible. The food is prepared fresh as you order it, never frozen. That might be why it takes a few minutes longer than other restaurants. Because I have special dietary needs, Sabrina prepares my food separately.
Sabrina takes great pride in making every effort to ensure your satisfaction with her family restaurant. She personally comes to your table and welcomes you and your family. We’re glad that Maraya’s is finally open and wish them continued success! We think it’s absolutely wonderful to have a restaurant with such tasty cuisine that differs from the ordinary chain restaurants in this area.
Mark, Denise, Stacey and Brian
On 8/2/2008 8:52:22 PM, Anonymous said:
My husband and I were driving around one day and just happened to notice Maraya's Restaurant. Feeling kind of adventurous, we decided to give it a try. Wow, were we ever impressed! The food was absolutely fantastic! We could tell from the first bite of our appetizer, that they used gourmet high-end fresh ingredients and certainly are master of their art. We found our meal to be reasonably priced. Our appetizer was $6.99 and entrée about $16.00. The wine selection was very good and the price rather modest. Frankly, we thought it was a great deal for the quality and quantity of food we received. Since we have stumbled upon this gem, we’ve been back many times. Service has always been efficient and very friendly. The décor is absolutely beautiful, very upscale contemporary Mediterranean in a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Once you walk in the door, prepared to be awed by both the food and the ambience. The outdoor dining is a plus also. Orlando, it really doesn’t get any better than this-hope you enjoy!
On 8/5/2008 12:37:59 PM, Anonymous said:
Hello,R-A-L-E-S and I went to maraya and the "Docteur" liked the food...wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo(u will not be able to hear the rest do to the fact that we have broken the sound barrier)..............................................................................................................................................
On 8/5/2008 8:04:24 PM, Anonymous said:
Hey guys! I was visiting Orlando recently for a James Ray seminar and
stopped in Maraya's afterwards for a bite. Both experiences were top of
the line. I have to admit I didn't want to consume a meal that late so
I ordered light. They were so generous and sent over several small
plates for me to try, for free! M brother and I were even gifted with
homemade cake from a birthday party going on...superb! The hummus is
like no other. If you haven't tried this food than I strongly encourage
you to do so! I live in Kentucky but have been blessed to have many
cultures in my life and this is one of them. I know first hand how
expensive it can be just to have the spices shipped over here for these
guys to prepare something authentic from their home. I was very
grateful to taste such exquisite cuisine and I didn't have to leave
the country! I believe in putting quality fuel in my body ,how about
you? Peace, Janet
On 8/28/2008 6:45:32 AM, Anonymous said:
This is a great place to visit. I saw this review on their website at www.marayarestaurant.com which looks like is under development. This place has such great decor and fantasic food. It was such a treat, I am so glad my family and I took the time to research on the web what kind of places in Florida we wanted to go to eat. This is a excellent choice for the entire family.
On 9/10/2008 3:04:50 AM, Anonymous said:
Hi,Adam here, I am from Israel originally and I have been a lawyer in Orlando for the last 4 years- In the last 4 years I have gone to this Lebanese Restaurant named Cedars which is owned by this guy named Charbil and is located next to Universal Studios. Everytime I go their, Charbil and his Arabic waiters treat me like dirt because they know I am Israeli Jewish. His food is terrible and his waiters and staff are VERY discriminating against the Jewish people. WELL- let me tell you my wife and mother in law where visiting from Tel-Aviv and wanted some traditional food when a friend suggested to try Maraya's. When we arrived the lady Violet was beyond friendly, and greeted us with such a warm smile. When she learned we where Israeli Jewish, she was so friendly, and warm. In fact she invited my mother in law to show her the spotless clean kitchen and they exchanged cooking information! It was an awesome experiance and I have gone back at least four times in the last two months. The saddest part is that I have read some of the reviews above. All where good two were rude. She works hard as does her business partners. IF for nothing else, support her Orlando, the food is amazing, the decor is to die for but mostly, she is one of the most warm genuine good ladies I have ever met. While she is a Christian, and has many staff and customers who are Muslim, she is very real and loves all people of all lands and religions. A lady like her is the only way to have a future for a peaceful loving Middle East!
On 9/14/2008 4:36:34 AM, Anonymous said:
Wow what a great place. If you are looking for a restaurant with an authentic Mediterranean dishes you have to visit Maraya's. They offer a special lunch menu start at 11:00 for those that want a lower cost option. But take the time to go and enjoy their rack of lamb. I was able to do a photo shoot there and went back later to try the lamb. It was well worth the trip. I am hoping to see some of my images on their website. It should be at http://www.marayarestaurant.com. Not only was Violet so polite and accomodating, she even let us taste most of the food after we photographed it. And well I can't say enough about the Lamb. That lamb is to die for. Everyone should try this awesome mediterranean cuisine.
On 9/19/2008 4:02:09 PM, Anonymous said:
This place is where you want to be! The friendly service the warm and welcoming treatment, last but not least of course: THE FOOD! Everything is surely amazing there. I was there last friday they now have a live show every other friday there, where a magician on Stilts, a live performer that brings great entertainment, Belly Dancers and endless other performers perform all over the restaurant! It was a wonderful experience. NExt show will be the next Friday 26th of September. Be there guys! It's Worth it!!
On 12/26/2008 7:15:52 PM, Anonymous said:
What an awesome experience it was, the food was great the young energetic Manager was great the lady there was great keep up the good work
On 1/13/2009 5:22:34 PM, Anonymous said:
I don't know where some of the negativity comes from with some of these diners. I guess they just don't know what fine dining is and are more accustomed to Wendy's or Arby's style of restaurant. I was on a training course in Orland the second week of January 2009 and stumbled across Maraya's from a hotel coupon book. I am SO GLAD that another person attending the same seminar joined me for what turned out to be one of the best meals I have ever had in any of the many countries I have visited or lived in. Violette is to be commended in her approach to the food industry and to her clients. She made both myself and my dining partner feel as though we were the richest people in the world by spoiling us with taste samples of her menu offerings. This has been my first time to Orlando and I will certainly have great memories of this training seminar as a result of my dining experience at Maraya's. In fact, I am planning on having some cross training between Maraya's staff and kitchen with the staff and kitchen in my soon to be opened cafe in Nassau, The Bahamas. Violette, never mind the naysayers and the negativity some people feel they need to give you. You have a great product with superior customer service. Keep your dream alive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K SMITH, ARTIST, THE BAHAMAS
On 2/14/2009 10:26:56 PM, Anonymous said:
My husband and I just left Maraya's and we thought it was phenomenal!Yes, the prices are a bit higher than others in the area; but I don't feel even a little disappointed.
We had never heard of Maraya's and only ended up there because everythong else was
already packed - Valentine's Day. We got lucky and will definitely be dining there
again! The food was superb, the service excellent and what an awesome show!! You have to try
this restaurant!
On 4/24/2009 2:46:18 PM, Anonymous said:
FRESH ORGANIC FOOD , HOME COOKING, VERY NICE ATMOSPHERE, WELL DESIGNED INTERIOR, FRIENDLY CREW, MUST TRY RACK OF LAMB WITH LEBANESE WINE.....
On 6/24/2009 1:01:34 AM, Anonymous said:
HELL PRICES FOR ROTTEN FOOD BEWARE!!!!!
DONOT ever go there VOMIT & DIAREA after eating there NEVER EVER GO TO THIS RESTURAUNT YOU WILL MAKE YOUR WORST EVER MASTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DONOT EAT THERE!!!!
On 6/24/2009 9:41:45 AM, Anonymous said:
I have been here twice for lunch and once for dinner. The food is always great but the price tag is too expensive for the dinners. Go during lunch...as the restaurant is never busy so you can still enjoy good food and be back in the office on time.
On 6/24/2009 9:53:47 AM, Lamar said:
....and as the rain fell, and a siren sounded in the hazy distance, I could see the pinky finger on my left hand, trembling and resolute, slowly make its way to the CAPS LOCK key. And then it was done. There are those who "outstare the sternest eyes that look, outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey." Others just can't seem to find the caps lock key.
On 6/24/2009 10:19:18 AM, Anonymous said:
The food here is awesome. Most restaurants these days are serving genetically modified foods with untested pesticides cooked or reheated in a microwave oven. NOT HERE. The food at Maraya's is ORGANIC, and real home cooking. I eat lunch here most days because I know too much about the crazy "food" being served at most other places. The people who run this place are also down to earth, warm and caring, and deserve to be supported in this wonderful endeavor. I hope you'll support one of the last places serving real, healthy home cooking that's delicious!
On 6/24/2009 11:00:16 AM, Lamar said:
The main purpose behind genetically modified food is that the crops are resistant to certain pests. The whole point is that GM foods do not require all the pesticides that non-GM foods do. They protect the environment by reducing pesticide use, and by allowing non-targeted pests to live. Saying, "genetically modified foods with untested pesticides" is misleading and suggests that you are really desperate to justify charging $30 for a plate of meat.
On 6/24/2009 4:40:15 PM, Anonymous said:
You've been watching too much 'mainstream media'. Testing has shown that GM foods may need less pesticides in the first year, but then need more pesticides than other crops in subsequent years. Further, because many GM crops are "Roundup-ready" - they can handle more intense pesticides and still LOOK like a healthy plant. So it gets a more intense pesticide. GM corn (BT Corn) has a toxin added to EVERY cell of every kernel of corn. Think man - it's not a good idea to eat such foods. Many multinational corporations, such as Monsanto, go for "profit at any cost." One reason why 1 out of 3 people will get cancer some time in their lifetimes. Here is one article warning against GM foods: http://cryptogon.com/?p=9085 (Strong references at bottom of article.)
Peace
On 6/24/2009 4:42:59 PM, Anonymous said:
The article on GM foods:
http://cryptogon.com/?p=9085
Eat organic at Maraya. It's one of the only places I know that serves organic food made without microwave ovens, and with love.
On 6/24/2009 5:16:28 PM, Lamar said:
And here are a few articles from a respected news and analysis source:
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/131369.html
http://www.reason.com/news/show/125722.html
http://www.reason.com/news/show/119530.html
The New England Journal of Medicine has debunked the quackery coming out of the AAEM on numerous occasions. Notice how no other medical association supported the AAEM? Take a look at their corporate partners and tell me what you think. (And why do they have sponsors in the first place?)
It is your right to spend $30 for a plate of food and take pride in eating organic, non-GM, hippie-approved food, and to associate with other crunchies who buy into all that. But realize that you are doing it for political and social reasons, not health reasons. Not only is it a good idea to eat such foods, you are harming the environment by being against such foods. Why? Because somebody, somewhere might make a profit.
On 6/28/2009 6:38:12 PM, Anonymous said:
Excellant food, more power to you Maraya.
On 7/1/2009 12:05:02 PM, Lamar said:
The European Food Safety Authority ruled that Monsanto's insect resistant biotech corn variety MON810 is safe. According to the EFSA: "...MON810 is as safe as its conventional counterpart with respect to potential effects on human and animal health. The EFSA GMO Panel also concludes that maize MON810 is unlikely to have any adverse effect on the environment in the context of its intended uses...." http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLU867385
On 7/4/2009 4:04:34 PM, Anonymous said:
Resturant is beautiful, but need to give yourself at least a three hours or more to dine. The food was good, but very small portions for the price and you will still be hungry. Might have to go somewhere else for a little snack to fill up. Place is usually not busy, but don't let owners fool you. They make it seem as place is always busy, especially weekends! Try not to take it personal when owners/staff ignore you when potential new customers arrive. Also, might have to takle your server when you need something, since it seems they wear blinders and don't pay attention. Nevertheless, the bad things do weigh more than the good. So Good Luck!
On 8/8/2009 3:44:09 PM, Anonymous said:
Very nice show on saturdays at Maraya, The best healthy fresh clean food ever, more power to you Maraya, The world has been missing a lot, best festival rice ever......
On 9/4/2009 6:06:09 PM, Anonymous said:
great food.
On 9/5/2009 12:57:55 PM, Anonymous said:
best food I ever had
On 9/6/2009 7:21:42 PM, Anonymous said:
The food was superb, the service excellent and what an awesome show!! You have to try this restaurant!
On 10/1/2009 12:04:34 AM, Anonymous said:
good food , reasonable prices for the quality and preparation, good people, very friendly....
On 10/15/2009 11:44:20 AM, Anonymous said:
BEST FOOD I EVER HAD, THERE IS NO JUNK FOOD IN THIS RESTAURANT, ANYTHING YOU ORDER IS FRESH HEALTHY AND VERY TASTY, THE KENEFA DESSERT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD, IT'S UNIQUE , I WILL GO BACK , HAPPY WE HAVE A FRIENDLY FEEL LIKE HOME RESTAURANT, RELAXING ATMOSPHERE, NICE PEOPLE AND VERY WELL EDUCATED AND THEY SPEAK A MINIMUM OF FOUR LANGUAGES.....
On 10/27/2009 3:21:57 AM, Anonymous said:
Let me walk you through Maraya, you walk in and the first impression you get is: Empty. second thing you'll probably say out loud is: Wow i really like how this place looks! U take a look at the bar and see that there is only 5 to 7 bottles, they call it a Full liquor bar. You awkwardly sit there alone, and wait 10 minutes to be asked what you would like to drink, even though you're alone. 15 minutes after getting my drink i decided to order. appetizers tasted amazing, except for the undercooked falafel, best hummus i have ever had in 45 years. 25 minutes later after several screams and fights heard from the kitchen i got my food. Not what i expected for the price. had my first bite, and it wasnt bad, it wasnt good, and it wasn't bad. Oh and the wine was brilliant. finished my food, got the check, mistook it for the annual salary of the president... I wish this restaurant nothing but luck, nothing else could save it anyway.
Recap:
Food: Average
Service: Poor
Price: I should have financed the bill
Atmosphere: Well it was bloody empty.
Menu: Confusing, random with no sense of conformity
Food Presentaion: Average
OverAll: Very very Average.
Advice: Lower the prices, change your menu, get staff, stick to lebanese cuisine since its the only thing that is cooked properly, put a kitchen door invest in a smaller place if possible.
On 10/27/2009 12:00:07 PM, Anonymous said:
good food, good service, very cozy, reasonable prices for the quality and preparation.................
On 10/27/2009 12:03:31 PM, Anonymous said:
love your falafel, tabbouleh is out of this world, nice clean place, we will be back.
On 10/28/2009 2:45:47 PM, Anonymous said:
I have been eating at Maraya almost every other day mainly lunch, and the food is very fresh, excellant authentic taste, the fish a la violette is out of this world, I don't know why some silly insecure people always try to put down good things in life, it's a family affair and they are struggling to make it through this bad economy, it's not a franchise where big company support this bussiness, it's hard working family to keep this great healthy food going, so please stop the lies and bad comments.
Maraya, I am proud of you, hang in there, we love you.
Dr. Mayberry M.D.
On 11/24/2009 4:50:42 PM, Anonymous said:
Maraya , thank you for feeding 700+ students at University of Florida for the Lebanese American Society, it was a great success, the food was out of this world, God bless you.
Hamdan P.H.D.
On 12/8/2009 11:19:29 PM, Anonymous said:
On 12/08/09
The Food Okay not enough very small portions Way over charge for it.
No Lunch menu so go figures what you going pay for lunch $70 to $80 for two peoples not worth it!!!
Good Luck.
On 12/10/2009 7:50:03 AM, Anonymous said:
Excellant food, more power to you Maraya,love your falafel, tabbouleh is out of this world, nice clean place, we will be back.good food, good service, very cozy, reasonable prices for the quality and preparation.................
OCPS
On 1/17/2010 9:11:10 AM, Anonymous said:
What an awesome experience it was, the food was great the young energetic Manager was great the lady there was great keep up the good work
On 3/4/2010 11:20:33 AM, Anonymous said:
This is truly five star cusine at a fair price. The decor is absolutely beautiful-casual yet very upscale and elegant. Like were away on vacation while we were there. Check-out the outside for a before dinner drink or after dinner hooka. Loved the tabouli and the chicken and the kafta were amazing. Service exceptionally warm and courteous
