Flamingo's
When Flamingo's Restaurant first opened several
years ago, it was as if Tex-Mex had made it to Ramallah. With Plastic menus
modeled after an American chain and rock star posters on the walls, Flamingos
was an imported haven from the dust and depression outside.
These days, however, little of that atmosphere
is left. The steaming chicken and beef fajitas that were once a Flamingos
trademark have gone up in price and down in quality. The rice tastes straight
from the package, the mushroom soup clearly right out of a can. The traditional
cheeses and beans that give Mexican food its flavor have been replaced
by poor local substitutes. Mixed drinks may soothe your palate, but watch
out for the cheap replacement liquor.
Further, one can expect to wait at least fifteen
minutes for a menu. Make sure that you order everything you want at once,
because you won't see your waiter again. And you won't have to decide not
to leave a tip - service is included in the bill. With appetizers at $
3-4 and fajitas around $12, that bill is guaranteed to be pricey.
Despite that, Flamingos has recently made
international news with its weekly hosting of renowned Israeli jazz musicians,
which attracts a wide host of visitors on Thursday nights. Aside from that,
in my opinion it has little else to offer. Save your money, warm your own
cheddar and chips and stay at home.
Location: Off Ramallah's main street,
between Nazareth Restaurant and Aramex, phone: (02) 2985813
Menu: tries to be Tex - Mex, with a few
local additions.
Alcohol served
Phantom Diner Rating: +
Rating Scale:
++++ next to heaven
+++ a place to come back to
++ if you're hungry you'll eat anywhere
+ not a ghost of a chance