Mandaloun Caffè

Great hookah, but lack of flavors.
This is a review of the hookah alone, not the food. We did not eat here, although based on our experience it would be worth to go back to for food and/​or shisha. My friend and I arrived here around 10pm on a Wednesday, of course the exact time when 10 typically loud American college students arrived (although I am in that category of an American student, I do not associate myself with such obnoxious individuals). Luckily they sat outside, but the worker of the establishment changed the authentic Lebanese music to modern music from the US for the group of girls. This was a little disappointing because that was half of the ambiance! The place was very nice and well decorated in the Arabian style. Even though the couch wasn’t the most comfortable, it was still relaxing and well furnished with pillows. There were not many people here aside from two smaller groups and the bigger group. There was plenty of room.
My friend and I ordered the apple flavored hookah for 12 euros. The only two possible choices for flavor were grape and apple. It didn’t even taste like apple. If anything it tasted like licorice, which I liked, but you barely even tasted a flavor unless you really breathed it in deep. Besides that, out of the four times I have done hookah, this was the best. It was quality with nice smooth, thick smoke. I didn’t cough once; there was no harshness and my throat didn’t hurt at all.
The worker was nice and helped us with whatever we asked, but he never changed our coals. Given we didn’t ask, but apparently they should automatically do that. It still lasted for quite awhile; we were there for about two hours. My friend ordered a drink for 6 euros which she enjoyed. It was a nice relaxing night after a busy day sightseeing in Rome. And it was nice when he changed the music back to Lebanese when the college kids left.
Overall, if you want quality hookah with thick, easy smoke, this is the place to go, but if you’re looking for flavor this is not the place.