The Phoenician Restauraunt

Tried the Phoenician after hearing some decent reviews but was disappointed. We were able to be seated right away at 6:00 on a Friday evening but service was slow. Ordered appetizers but they were never delivered. House salad dressing had no flavor and appeared to be simply vegetable oil. Water glasses were never refilled, not asked for additional drinks and when person at neighboring table choked, staff did not respond. Chicken salad was served without dressing and other meals also had very little flavor.

Here for a function. The space is a good size. Interior is good. Big bar. Service is ok. Chicken kabobs are excellent!

We recently attended a Mercy meal at the Phoenician and were mortified by the experience. The service was beyond horrendous, and the food was not very good. A few of the tables were extremely wobbly to the point you could not eat properly on them. When guests advised the servers of this, they were told «they are just tables and you have to deal with it» Extremely unfriendly service, with nasty and negative attitudes towards the guests. When a few individual’s changed seats, the servers were confrontational and rude to them, it was just horrible. As for the food, the chicken dish was tough and covered with a puddle of a gross cream sauce. The fish was undercooked and lacking in any flavor. I can get beyond the food, however, I cannot get beyond the rude treatment everyone received at a meal of such nature.

went to this restaurant last week first time. It was great. Food good quality, server was friendly and attentive. Price was right. Recommend it.

My wife and I go there occasionally and dine at the Bar. Michael always gives us great service. It’s actually my favorite place for French fries. There apps and baked stuffed shrimp are excellent. I just wish that the prime ribs were of a better quality, but they sure are big enough.

Just came back from an early New Year’s eve dinner at the Phoenician. It was a great
dinner. Hummus, stuffed shrimp, prime rib and swordfish were all delicious.
Our server, Trevor, was the best. Our water glasses or bread basket were never empty
So glad we chose this restaurant to celebrate. Can’t wait to go again.

I love the food at the Phoenician! They have the BEST french fries. Exactly like the old Lawrence Bishop’s. My favorites: baked kibbee, stuffed peppers, stuffed squash, fries, Lima beans, rice, hummus, Syrian bread. My mouth is watering.

We took my mother here last week for her birthday with a group of us. When we got home three of us later that night got food poisoning. we have been sick all week including my son who cant afford to lose weight. I feel like I have to let this be known so this doesn’t happen to anyone else. It has been a week and we are still running to the bathroom all day. next week if it doesn’t stop we will be going to the Drs. the only two that didnt get sick had a salad with chicken and steak. all others who shared the platter and seafood with stuffing were ill. Please clean up the back cooking area or check the freshness of the food. I don’t want money back or definitely not free food– just to protect others And keep a track record if this is happening to others.

My husband and I have visited this restaurant at least ten times since my last review. The Arabic platter is still the best option. We love the fresh bread and strong mixed drinks as an appetizer. The French fries are some of the best we’ve ever eaten. The only downside is the older crowd. We’re in our early 40s, and we are the always the youngest couple by about 40 years. No joke! Overall, the Phoenician is a delightful place. I’m sure we’ll be back soon!

I went here for Dinner in Thursday Night and I was very Disappointed the place seamed dirty and $ 26 dollar steak was chewing and very tuff to eat but the rice was nice and the beef stew was great and the staff was nice and very helpful but besides that I won’t rush back here for dinner

I had the stuffed peppers they were okay they were a little too soft for my perfection. My daughter had the French onion soup it was really good to loved it my son had the steak rice with carrots the carrots were too soft Soggy I like the vegetables to be with a little crunch but the environment overall was very nice and clean the bar wasn’t as busy but was very nice as well.

I have been here twice (invited for an event), and I will not be going back. The middle eastern food (appetizers) are fine. But everything else is horrible. Don’t bother ordering chicken piccata or the salmon. You will not eat it. Also, you will be asked what you would like for your 2 sides. If you order french fries, as one of your sides, you will only get 1 side. The french fries end up as just a small portion on a common plate to be shared. It doesn’t matter too much, however, because the french fries are just not good. Seriously.
Also, I might just be too young for this place. I am not yet in my 60s.

My husband and I have been there many times and I have also gone with friends. The service is fantastic and the food is super, just as good as the old Bishops that was in Lawrence, Mass for years. Had the baked stuffed lobster, stuffed with lobster which was to die for. The Arabic platter was very tasty and big, also loved the french fries and the Syrian bread was extremely fresh. Large menu. The place is very clean and inviting!!! The BEST Middle Eastern restaurant in the Mass, NH area!!! Our go to restaurant!

Located a minute or two from the Route 495 exit, plenty of parking, a clean and inviting atmosphere. Our party of seven was treated impeccably by two servers. The owners of this place understand that one server is not enough for a party this size (so many restaurants fail with medium to large parties).
The menu has a large selection of Lebanese & Mediterranean dishes and if someone in your party isn’t into this fare, there are plenty traditional American dishes too. Service starts out with Syrian, Pocket or Pita Bread… which ever adjective you choose to use its fresh and one piece is never enough.

We had a mélange of stuffed grape leaves, stuffed cabbage, baba ghanoush, raw kibbeh, hummus, tabbouli and, french fries (one person in our party is a french fry junkie and he swears this place has some of the best). After stuffing our faces and indulging in a bit of gluttony we further ventured into dessert waistland. The desserts are like «Holy Cow!» save a lot of room for them, there’s no skimping with portion size.
Admittedly I don’t eat a lot of this type of food but I do know when something is tasty and fresh. My dining cohorts have more experience and they frequent this establishment regularly. This place does it right from beginning to end, the competition should take note.
I’ll be back!

Last night was the second time that we have been here. It certainly won’t be the last.
First time was with a larger group. I got the prime rib (queen’s cut) which FYI is still ALOT of meat… no complaints here! A big basket of syrian bread starts you off. YUM. We started with the raw kibbee which was a first for all of us. Every dinner comes with two sides (no extra charge). Sometimes in this day and age, thats rare. The salad was a nice fresh garden salad with a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers olives and onions. My boyfriend got the lamb on a stick. So delicious. No room for dessert.
Last night we came just the two of us. Sat at the bar. Really nice atmosphere. Very knowledgable bartender when we asked questions. Ordered the half order of the raw kibee. I’ve never had it anywhere else, as this is only my second time getting it, however it tastes so good there I can’t imagine how other places could improve. I ordered the haddock a la Phoenician. Its haddock rolled with stuffing inside with lobster and shrimp with a newburg sauce on top. I could only eat half because I was becoming full, but i’m already looking forward to having the rest with lunch. I got a salad and the rice pilaf as a side. SO GOOD. My boyfriend got the lamb on a stick again… and again he was very please. Again… no room for dessert.
All in all this is a really nice restaurant. The décor inside is on the fancier side, and many patrons were dressed appropriately. The one thing that I wish they had was a wider selection of lebanese dishes. We haven’t tried the sampling platter, and on Tuesday nights they do have Tapas night in which that menu has a wider selection of Lebanese staples.

Went to the Phoenician Restaurant last night. Words cannot describe how FANTASTIC the authentic Mid Eastern — Lebanese food is amongst everything else on the menu, this is the real deal the old Bishop’s we remember from Lawrence, MA.
Service is outstanding as is the food. I’ve eaten in many Mid Eastern restaurants all around the Merrimack Valley and this is certainly my favorite. The Prime Rib is HUGE — covers the entire plate and cooked to perfection. –If you like raw kibbee — this is the place to get it. You can also order fish, chicken, lobster etc. The menu is extensive, staff is 5 star as well as the food.
We will be frequenting often.
–RH

Excellent Middle Eastern fare. Worth the trip out of Boston to Haverhill. The table had the «Assortment» for an appetizer. It was almost an entire meal for all six of us! Then on to the main entrees. Lamb and Tenderloin On a Stick just like I remembered as a kid at Bishop’s in Lawrence. Waiter was a good sport as one of our friends was a little tough on him but on the other hand he had asked for a couple of things that fell through. One of us had the prime rib, one of the largest I have seen. Bacalava must have been stored near a garlic dish and it had that taste, they replaced it immediately. Best story was getting a desert made up from an old memory with banana liquor and ice cream!
We had an excellent time and good fun. Setting is the only reason not five stars, kind of bland layout of the restuarant. Food, friends and family made up for otherwise.

Food– It’s flat out the best Middle Eastern food in the Merrimack Valley, I’ve not found any other place that comes close. Grape leaves, kibbee and stuffed cabbage are my favorites, you can get all those to go and more in the various sized Arabic platters which I’d recommend if you want to sample a bit of everything. They have a fully stocked bar and desserts for take out as well.
Prices– It’s expensive, not an every day place, but the money is well worth the food quality.
Service– The waitstaff and owners are somewhat known to be tough to work for, but I don’t mind it because it obviously works. The waitstaff here seems extra professional and quick to please.
Atmosphere– The one drawback is the building. It’s set up beautifully as a restaurant, but there is no natural lighting and the inside is resembles a funeral parlor, it may honestly have been one at one point based on the building layout. I usually take my grub to go here. The former Salem, NH location was far better.
Try it if you get the Middle Eastern craving and you won’t be disappointed.

Been here many times… in old location in Salem too. We travel here for the LAMB! Best around. The prime rib is good too. Excellent food for excellent price.
It is a great place for large groups… our office has gone here for annual Christmas lunch many times.

Yes, this place has the atmosphere of a funeral parlor… but the food is excellent. Best prime rib around. Awesome Lebanese eats. And plus… BAKED ALASKA.
The Phoenician has inherited the spirit of the legendary Bishop’s restaurant with many of the same recipes on the menu. If you want to eat about 4,000 calories in one sitting, this is your spot.