The food is awesome. Everything was wonderful Modern twist on everything. Service was great and very helpful making choices. Sofra? Drink were very good Restaurant was very nice and a great location. Great outdoor seating Would come back just for lamb kabob and the kibbeh maya ASAP read more

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Bottom Line: Some of the best Levantine/Middle Eastern flavors we've had in DC if not the US. There have been some close ones in the city and in other parts, but this is near/at the top! The price is high, but the quality and quantity is totally worth it. Some options are hits while some aren't "misses," but just personal preferences. Don't hesitate to come here! Food: Absolutely phenomel. Levantine flavors of the middle east come out through every dish. Some may find it slightly salty, but others may find it perfect. Everything we ordered we thoroughly enjoyed. They are moving to a full set menu soon so you won't be able to pick and choose anymore unless you sit at the bar, but still will be worth it! What we ordered: - Embered Mushroom Hummus: The pita with Za'atar seasoning was on FIRE. Absolutely perfect pita, nicely thin but dense. Hummus was good, not the best we've had. Heavy on the chickpea, light on the tahini, but still good. Mushrooms were amazing! - Sfeeha: Easiest description is ground lamb deliciousness on top of a crisp flat bread, one piece per person, 3-4 times per peice. Totally amazing, top 1-2 things we ate! - MD Crab Dolma: Keep in mind this is cold, it's good, but you must really enjoy the flavor of grape leaves! - Spiced Duck Breast Shish: Very flavorful, slightly tough/gamey but cdrazy crispy - BBQ'd Lamb Kebobs: So freaking good, we loved this! You can order another kebab for $5 each, but hopefully they still offer this option with the tasting menu. - Mujadarra rice: This bulgar wheat fried rice with a side salad of mixed tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers, this was simple and tasty and wasn't too heavy. I would recommend thsi but also would wonder what the other potato one tastes like. Drinks: Fantastic! The Road to Al-Shaymaa is slightly anice flavored, which I woudl absolutely hate normally but the Arak is perfeclty mixed with everything so that it actually works well. I would 100% recommend for those that want a nice smokey tasty drink. Our Lady of Lebanon was actually also one of our favorites with the egg white adding the perfect texture to it. Final Thoughts: 100% Would recommend to come visit this place as soon as you can. Price is high so expect to pay top dollar for this but if you had to decide on a place for $100 a person, this I would recommend! read more

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Atmosphere: Similar to most places in DC, fairly bustling and overall ambient noise level was pretty high, conversations require raised voices. Service: Great, descriptions of dishes as they came out, attentive but not overbearing. Definitely recommend asking server for recommendations! Food: Overall great flavors and textures - we especially liked the duck Sfeeha - however it wasn't mind blowing and fell in line with many other middle eastern flavor profiles. We had: Beiruti style hummus - a hummus with baked broccoli on top with harissa underneath, the flavors all paired together well and the broccoli added a good counterbalance to offset the hummus. Sfeeha - duck pastry of sorts, was a bit on the saltier side but the tartness of the sauce balanced it out well Manti dumplings - lamb dumplings, one of my favorites the crispy garlic bits and chili oil were delicious together but the lamb flavor was quite strong Arabic salad - little heads of lettuce with feta in a tahini sauce with onions and a sweet fruit of some sort on top, a good palate cleanser before the main course but the feta was a bit overpowering All the kebabs - lamb, duck, and steak kebabs that came with a tahini sauce with harissa and a tzatziki. The lamb kebab was nice and juicy and had a burst of flavor. The duck kebab was fairly fatty as duck is, it had a nice crispy skin, and was had a sweet glaze over top. The steak was cooked fantastically - it was super tender but by itself was quite bland but with a bit of harissa and tahini on top it tasted great! Came with a side of potatoes that tasted like great crispy potatoes! And a bowl of vegetables and pita Lady lavender tea - quite a strong floral taste but quite good and well priced for an entire pot, we got a total of around 4 cups full of tea worth from one pot Baklava custard - tasted like a baklava.. but in custard, had a nutty flavor and was a bit less sweet compared to traditional baklava but was more crispy Tahini soft serve - mildly sweet and then a sharp savory almost bitter taste that comes in afterwards. The first bite you're kinda like meh and then by the third bite you get more invested into it. Overall a great experience but not one that blew my mind. read more

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The chef's unique perspective makes a meal here not just a meal; it is, as noted on the menu, "A Journey Through Levantine Cooking." You don't just leave the restaurant with a full stomach; you leave with a newfound knowledge of Arabic food terminology (a glossary accompanies your menu, minimizing dinner table Googling) and a new appreciation of Mediterranean wines (thanks to GM/Wine Director William Simons' impressive collection). After properly hydrating, it was time to dig into the star of the show-the Pita. Charred, puffed, and seasoned to perfection, it was still piping hot enough for a za'atar-scented steam facial as I tore into it. You can't have Levantine cooking without lamb (or hummus, for that matter), and the tomato-enriched Smoked Lamb Awarma did not disappoint. Nor did the Baba Ganoush, an artistic wreath of thinly shaved zucchini, yellow squash, and charred cherry tomatoes hiding two distinct layers of burnt eggplant puree underneath. The pita was delicious on its own, but somehow even better as a vehicle for these spreads. Dishes like crab hummus and crab dolmas serve as thoughtful nods to the local region's cuisine and an homage to Chef Rafidi's Maryland upbringing. In the case of the dolmas, I wanted the crab to have a more prominent role within the grape leaf filling itself, rather than simply topping it as a garnish. Nevertheless, I'm always happy to have crab on my plate, and I appreciated its appearance on the menu. Potatoes are a versatile ingredient, but transforming a humble potato into a Michelin-worthy glow-up is an accomplishment. The Batata Harra, meticulously shingled potato slices, are crisped and generously seasoned with shawarma spices that permeate from the outside in, creating a spice ombré both in flavor and color. For the spice-averse, stick to the innermost pieces; for those craving a kick, the outermost slices boast more heat. A generous dollop of "toum," essentially a garlic aioli, provides cooling relief. Chef Rafidi breathes new life into the classic duck-cherry pairing. The Spiced Duck Breast Shish arrives at the table still skewered straight from the hearth. The server gracefully slides the duck pieces off the skewer and onto the plate in perfect succession, landing atop a bed of charred fava and romano beans. A smoked cherry honey, tinted pink from its fruit infusion, coats the plate. Halved cherries dot the dish, their sweetness cutting through the earthy char of the duck and beans. I couldn't leave without trying dessert-particularly the Brown Butter Knafeh, a Middle Eastern spun pastry soaked in syrup, stuffed with cheese, and topped with blackberries, vanilla ice cream, and crumbled pistachios. It is a party of textures, all coinciding to form a balanced, exotic dessert that transports diners to another part of the world. If you're too full for this larger dessert, I'd recommend the "small bites." The assortment includes two pieces each of cinnamon/walnut baklawa, Turkish delights (strawberry rose jellies), and ma'amoul (chocolate/date cookies). Like the food, the service at Albi is impeccable. Water glasses are constantly refilled, and finished plates are removed immediately. When you return from the restroom, you find an entirely new, perfectly folded napkin has appeared seemingly out of nowhere. New plates and utensils are provided between courses, and servers offer a warm towel to wipe your hands. The majority of the space is open, with just one other seating area for larger private parties, plus another section within the kitchen devoted to their "Chef's Table at the Hearth"-a separate, 2.5-hour dining experience. But even those not splurging on this experience still get a clear view into the kitchen. The restaurant is not huge, but tables do not feel cramped. Although the floor is a minimalistic concrete, a series of mismatching, vintage rugs anchor tables, providing a cozy contrast to the otherwise industrial space, complete with high ceilings, natural light, greenery, bright murals, and modern light fixtures. The one drawback of the space: noise level. While the restaurant was by no means "sports bar loud," it was certainly not the quietest of meals, and, at times, it was difficult to hear the waitstaff as they explained dishes. There's no shortage of Mediterranean fare in the D.C. area these days, but Albi rises above the competition, showcasing elevated, refined Levantine cuisine paired with top-notch hospitality--all in a casual-yet-sleek space that will make you want to linger and grab another drink (or perhaps a Tahini Soft Serve). Starting July 12, Albi will be transitioning to just offering a Sofra ("set table") menu. Although $95 per person is on the steep side, it's only slightly more than what I spent going the a la carte route (note that diners will be able to continue ordering a la carte at the bar). For a special occasion, consider booking the Hearth Table, which runs $150 per person (excluding the wine pairing option). read more

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Amazing meal! My husband and I started with the sfeeha (open-face lamb pie with tahini), which may have been our favorite bite of the night. The mushroom hummus with pita made me mad at other hummuses. Why aren't they this good?? Then the sweet 'n sumac yams, wood-fired oxtail dolma, and smoked duck shish--all amazing, but I think my favorite was the dolmas. We were stuffed, but heard too many good things about dessert here and the labneh soft serve was worth the hype! Highly recommend Albi! read more

Albi - Labneh soft serve - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Service and drinks were great. Didn't order any food so I can't speak on it. Would go again

The vision is new Levantine cooking - Chef Michael Rafidi has expertly curated Levantine techniques with local Mid-Atlantic ingredients. Before Albi, Rafidi was the executive chef of Requin & Arroz in D.C. and Albi is his first solo restaurant. Before we get into the food, I have to say that the staff is incredible. I have dined her twice - once pre-covid & most recently, post-covid. Each time I have been so impressed by how friendly the staff is, as well as knowledgable of the menu & ingredients. With respect to covid-19, Albi ensured that patrons received a wonderful dining experience, while taking care of our health. Each table inside & outside were set more than 6 feet apart, windows & doors open for fresh air & all staff wore masks. Patrons were also instructed to wear masks when walking through the restaurant & to enter restrooms. I cannot imagine traversing through a pandemic, as well as opening up a new restaurant simultaneously. Albi has managed to do both perfectly. Now - the food. My favorite thing about Chef Rafidi's menu is that all the ingredients are in season. The menu changes seasonally as a result of that, but I love knowing that he is curating a menu around local Mid-Atlantic ingredients. Each ingredient is perfect for your palate at that given moment in time. The coal fired cooking techniques really amplify the quality of the meat & spices. It almost also gives me a sense of home - so many restaurants and "fine dining" feel fussy - Albi is absolutely a 5 star restaurant, but it feels like I am in his living room gathered around a table about to listen to a story. I think that is why the translation of Albi in Arabic "my heart" makes so much sense - you feel Chef Rafidi's heart when you are there and feel like family. What did I love? Beirtui Style Hummus & Pita: the smoked onions & harissa made this dish for me Yellowfin Tuna Kibneh: Almost like a tuna tartare; however, bulgar puffed wheat gives it a different flare and texture that is phenomenal. Prawns Over Coals: Wow - I could eat this all night long. Wonderfully sourced prawns, that were perfectly cooked & tasted to sweet & meaty. Will be ordering that again for sure! Batata Hara: Layers upon layers of thinly sliced potatoes - delish. For more reviews, visit gracethetable.com and IG: @gracethetable read more

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Really good! My only regret is asking the server how much food my friend and I should order because she recommended way too much for the two of us.. makes sense because it wasn't cheap but still tasty. It didn't go to waste, we ate it as leftovers the next night read more

Albi - Lamb - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My boyfriend and I did the Sofra experience for Valentine's Day. The food was incredible with exquisite flavors and presentation. Staff were very knowledgeable and explained each dish as it was brought out. Atmosphere was romantic and special. However, while we appreciated that we weren't rushed, at one point there was over an hour wait between courses. The pacing wasn't right and other tables of the same size with reservations long after ours received their dishes with much less of a wait. We also didn't receive our drinks until well into the first course. When you're paying $$$$ for a special dinner, perfect service is what sets it over the top. Unfortunately we had some issues there. Otherwise would be a 5 star review. Still, I'd likely return - just not for a tasting menu. read more

Amazing twist on Mediterranean food Must try the Kebab Experience Everything was great The only thing that we didn't really get with was the kunafa Otherwise great experience read more

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I had the pleasure of having one of the best dining experiences here 2 weeks ago. The restaurant itself is very intimate in size, but beautifully designed. The kitchen is open and faces the dining area for an added open experience touch. I went with a group of 6, so we had a lot of dishes to sample. Highlights for me were the pita and hummus (my God, the pita)! I wasn't a hummus fan prior to coming here, but I'm now a believer. I ordered the lamb chop dish as my main course and it was divine. It was accompanied by just enough veggies on the plate to not need an additional side of vegetables. I cannot wait to go back! And as expected at an establishment like this, the service was top notch. Someone was always checking on us, refilling our glasses, anticipating our needs before we realized we needed something. 10/10 experience. read more

Went for New Year's eve and it was by far one of the best experiences we've had in a long time. The food was beyond extraordinary. Service impeccable. The detail to each dish and knowledge of the food by our servers l, made the experience so worth every penny. We did the wine pairing -- which Im always against -- and was I blown away. Drinks and wines that we had never heard off or tasted before. Simply one of the best in DC. read more

Always amazing food. I have nothing bad to say. The food is amazing and service is equally as good

I cannot recommend Albi enough and whatever review I leave, I feel won't give this gem justice. Albi is situated in the heart of Navy Yard and provides one of the most unique and attentive experiences I have EVER had at a restaurant in DC. Reservations are absolutely needed as they give every table ample time to enjoy their meals. With an open-concept kitchen, sommelier and teamwork oriented staff, you'll leave Albi feeling satisfied in your stomach and your soul. All the food is amazing, I can't send enough compliments to the chef! They serve unique, Middle Eastern/Mediterranean style dishes with so much flavor and intensity-- every bite is such a treat. I couldn't even distinguish between the good and great food, but I would recommend making sure you get one of their Hummus dishes. I also highly encourage you to try their full experience for $95 per person, which provides a several course meal sure not to disappoint. I have done both ordering off the menu and doing the experience, and feel the latter provides more variety and gives you more to try (including off menu selections). Bonus: There is a 3% charge to every bill to help provide full healthcare benefits to their employees, which I feel is reflective in how much their workers value their jobs and provide for their guests. Just go to Albi, you won't regret it! read more

Amazing experience. Service was impeccable! Very relaxed environment and loved everything we ordered. The pita was to DIE for!!! Fresh, steamy, and melt in your mouth amazing. I had to ask for more. And more. And more. Other standouts for us were the octopus (converted my non-octopus loving husband) and dumplings. We also had both types of soft serve-- each had a unique flavor profile with one being more sweet (tahini and brown butter sauce) and one being more tart (pomegranate sauce) Great and welcomed addition to Navy Yard. Will definitely be back to sit at the chefs table and try the kebab experience!! read more

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We did a tour of dc restaurants recently and Albi was our favorite. The ambiance was fun, the service was very good, we found the space comfortably, and most importantly the food was spectacular. We each got a different wine pairing, and so we were able to try ten wines between the two of us, and the wines were an incredibly fun and delicious treat. The grilled meat and the wine tour of the Levante were our highlights. Cannot wait to come back. (Very expensive or we would be back asap!) read more

Albi on 4th Street in DC is a great place to go for delicious and flavorful food that is well prepared. I really like the location and everything that they have available here. The staff here is very welcoming and helpful to make sure that you have everything that you need. read more

Albi - Albi - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Albi is one of the absolute best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of dining at. Arab food is one of my favorite cuisines, and I tend to think that most Levantine-inspired restaurants in the United States are overpriced and poor quality when compared to the food you can get in the Middle East. When I first heard about Albi, I was excited, but worried that it would disappoint much like many of the other Arab-inspired DC staples that folks rave about. Albi is in a category of its own. During a time when many restaurants are struggling to provide customers the level of service they provided pre-pandemic, Albi was phenomenal. The wait staff and kitchen staff worked together to ensure that your food was brought out promptly and that no glass was left unfilled. Each staff member was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Every dish was absolutely delicious. We tried the Beiruti Hummus, Falafel Arayes, Spiced Duck Shish, Lamb Kabobs, and Batata Harra. The lamb and duck had the perfect amount of char and were perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy. As a self-described carnivore, I can honestly say that the vegetables truly complemented the meat and helped balance out each dish by adding an acidic, sweet, and/or savory element to each dish. In addition, the cocktails were refreshing. They were balanced and not too spirit-forward or too sweet. If you are looking for an incredible dining experience, look no further. Albi is where it's at. read more

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One of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Some must haves the mushroom hummus, yellow fin tuna kibbeh naya, and lamb kebobs. The service was fantastic and overall a great dinner experience. Would not be surprised if this becomes a James Beard award winning restaurant very soon. read more

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Amazing atmosphere, amazing food. As a very picky vegetarian, finding places I don't have to settle for or make modifications to is so rare and everything here was perfect. read more

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Food, Ambience and Service is amazing. Everything was so flavorful. Beautiful location is DC. I would highly recommend

To say the least, Albi was the best restaurant in southern east DC. Originally the the dishes from the fire were amazing, portions were perfect, spices were unimaginable... since the traction of the "hype" the restaurant has lost its touch. Being a regular from opening day to today, the quality has changed, instead of trying to bring more customers by expanding a outdoor space that they took over, the back of house should have concentrated on the food. The lamb was over cooked, the portion were not the same (although the differences in the prawns) , the potatoes being over seasoned (go back to the original width), as much as I loved Albi I will not spend another dollar in this restaurant or Yellow as they changed from gastronomy to capitalism. FYI- the staff had to bring me three different knives because the lamb was so over cooked that the knives couldn't cut through the meat. read more

We didn't have any expectation but this place blew our mind. To be honest if I just look at the menu, I would not pick this place BUT everything here is so DELICIOUS!!! We ordered the chef's testing menu with the wine pairing and OMG I almost licked every plates. Everything is so flavorful with great presentation. The wine paring is not the typical wine they serve, I really like the one with the orange hint. GIVE THEM A TRY!! It's a must We are planning to go back soon. read more

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I would go as far as saying that this is my favorite restaurant in DC! Absolutely perfect. The food is delicious, the service is top notch and the wine selection is organic and biodynamic!!! read more

mouthwatering Squirt happy meal! The team here is on something and I want some too! a lot of hidden rooms where you can make the magic happen. read more

We sat at the table inside the kitchen. Very cool experience. Food was all delicious, but there was way too much food for two people. I ate so much I started sweating towards the end of the meal. Unfortunately, my wife ate so much that she threw up the next morning. So, the moral of the story is, if you eat at the Hearth table, don't eat anything else earlier in the day. Or, get a few of the courses wrapped up to take home. If the courses were timed better, perhaps we wouldn't have been so full. read more

YELLOW Cafe by Albi We tried the pastries and coffee spin of Albi, called Yellow Cafe. Right next door. The pastries were very nice and special as had a Middle East flavor. They also came in a simple but nice presentation inside a white box (you can see in the pictures). The menu includes breads, pitas, cookies and pastries. Yellow is currently (during COVID-19) taking orders at the front door and you wait outside in line for your pastries. They also have a couple of nice tables outside for those brave enough to sit. The bad part of the experience is that I had to go three times (in three different days) to try their pastries. They were sold out at noon the day the opened and sold out at 10 am the second day. I hope they learn to manage their inventory as they gain more experience during this COVID-19 crisis so that they don't fall short on orders. The line moves well, although it is a little annoying for people passing by. read more

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3.5/5 Being huge fans of Yellow, we finally decided to check-off Albi from our list. Ambiance (5/5): Very cute indoor/outdoor ambiance perfect for any occasion. I highly recommend eating in their covered patio! Waitstaff were all wearing masks and the area was clean and cozy. Service (4/5): We were greeted by every staff member upon arrival. They accommodated us based off our reservation notes and made sure we were in good hands. Our server was polite and attentive! Food (3/5): The highlight of our meal were the cocktails and mushroom hummus! The cocktails were refreshing and super creative. I highly recommend ordering the mushroom hummus which came out with a delicious, warm pita bread that paired so well with the smokiness of the mushroom. Unfortunately, things started to go down-hill from there with the Sweet n' Sumac Carrots, Duck Kabob, and Batata Harra. I personally thought the the duck kabob was too salty so my boyfriend ate this dish. The carrots and batata harra (potatoes) were very hard and it was not cooked all the way through. The spices and sauce marinate of the carrots were delicious but for $17 and over an hour wait I expected more from the texture. As for the potatoes, when we bit into them the skin was extremely hard and crispy (candy like). The potatoes were served with toum (our favorite) but you could barely taste the garlic. Overall, we were bummed out and felt they did not take enough chances with the Middle Eastern flavor profile. Their plates are pricy and small so be prepared to spend $$$. Might give them another shot in the future...based off their reviews maybe we went on an off day?? read more

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Oh my god this is my favorite restaurant experience within the past year and I'm psyched how good it was despite covid restrictions. Some of my favorite restaurants just don't hit right after covid restrictions started in the dmv because of labor and issues reliably getting ingredients. Not to mention it's challenging to adapt to providing effective service with quality ingredients and meet profit margins when you only have 1/4th of the business you would have had precovid. Even my favorite dc restaurant was tragically effected and I refuse to drag them down a notch because I know how hard these times are for restaurants. So when I go to restaurants in 2021 I keep my expectations humble and just want a "decent" meal. Holy fack this is well beyond "decent." First thing I need to say is to get the lamb belly. It melts in your mouth and it is incredibly, well balanced. Think brisket levels of richness and succulentness combined with tangy, smoky grill taste, cool lebneh, and the perfect amount of honey. The roasted apples on it was very tender and provided an excellent contrast to the fatty meat. Thankfully it was not nearly as rich as pork belly which made it perfect. And that on their fresh zataar pita? I was in heaven. I'm still gushing and it's been approximately 3 weeks. The pita is light and airy and was the perfect carrier for all of their delicious dips and spreads. If you're the type to gush about the pita at nicholas's in Portland then try this pita because it's up to snuff. And they happily give you seconds. My second favorite thing was the vegan tahini soft serve and I'm not a dessert person! The halva in it was absolutely fantastic and gave amazing textural contrast of savory and a slight toothsomeness next to the cool and creamy soft serve. It was also a pretty generous portion too so definitely shareable. I also enjoyed the lobster lebneh but frankly the lobster didn't stand up to the otherwise excellent lebneh (it's just too mild of a meat imo.) my least favorite unfortunately was the patatas because it's just potatoes tbh (kind of a hash brown vibe to it) and the toum didn't stand out even though I can inhale some toum (favorite toum in the city is still green zone.) People freak out about maydan in dc but frankly they're not at this level. I am so eager to return and hope this place is here for another decade if not longer. read more

My friends and I did the Chef's Table with the wine pairing. From my standpoint, a lot of food and wine came out at me which was fantastic BUT i hardly remember what it was lol I just know that by the end, I was full and happy. I'll get into the food in a sec BUT another thing I loved about Albi was their flexibility. We had a vegan so they brought out separate plates just for her. She's also picky about her wine so they made sure to bring out wines that matched what she was after. I'm going to run through the menu and see if I can identify what we had.... ....Okay I really tried but couldn't figure it all out so I quit lol But this experience was nice. You're seated almost right in the kitchen. The sommeliers are great. The food is fantastic. read more

Some of the most amazing meals I've ever had in my life!! The staff was beyond friendly and helpful in deciding what to pick and accommodating my food allergies. I can't wait to come back here, every thing was outstanding! read more

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I don't often give 5 star reviews, but this was the best dining experience I have had in recent memory. Period. From the service to the presentation to the food, everything was exquisite. Our party of 4 opted for the tasting menu, and we're glad we did. Several of our courses were not on the regular menu, and they even made special exceptions for dishes that we wanted to try (but were not included) and one in our party who is pescatarian. We didn't think each course could be better than the last, but they continued to surprise us each time - everything was exceptional, but standouts for me were the skewered octopus with harissa broth, lamb skewers (I've never had lamb so tender in my life - I'm pretty sure they sang it lullabies and wrapped it in a warm blanket before they cooked it) and the brown butter knafeh (it tasted like those little danish butter cookies you get in the blue tins but elevated 1000000%). Service was warm and attentive but not intrusive, you really got the feeling that they were happy that you came out during a pandemic to visit. As a side note, we were seated in a beautiful, warm, enclosed garden-type area that was accessible only through the kitchen - it gave a really cool insight into the inner workings of the restaurant- GO NOW read more

Albi - Skewered octopus with chick peas and harissa broth - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Follow chef Michael Lee Rafidi for awhile now in IG & FB, I've tried his food while he was at Michael Mina Restaurants group. I must say this group has produced some amazing talented chefs, or that they have already been talented, but through this group, more guests like myself got the chance to meet them and learn more about their styles/techniques. I hear Albi opened last year right before the pandemic hits, which means they had to shut down... What a bad time to be in this industry! But with that said, I'm glad chef Rafidi was able to share his dreams with us. Middle Eastern food as it's finest in the city! Albi means MY HEART, how beautiful it is. That chef opens his heart to let guests like us in. To share his roots, cultures, and the deliciousness that most restaurants often lack, just popping up without any meaning or soul everywhere as they also shut down equally fast. Albi is so charming, warm and inviting. We love the hearth burning wood fire open kitchen. A spotless kitchen I must add. As someone dining around the world snd as often as 5 times a week. I feel overwhelmed with the menu because I don't understand half of the words :) HAHA. My awesome hubby depends on me when it comes to food, so I was about to pull out my pho e to google it. Beautiful Irina was there to save my sorry butt! With her help, and the awesome Sommelier Vanessa, we went through the menu in 3 minutes. How about a little bit of E V E R Y T H I N G. Exactly :-) You MUST love lamb. Because it was that good. Every dish was jam packed with layers of flavors. The Manti Dumplings was fantastic. The lamb entree with skewer and belly, roasted veggies, wow. The blue crab whipped labne was so good + pita. We can just have that pita with every sauce they have and be happy on our way! The incredible Mujadarra rice with lentil, fried crispy shallot, give me a tasty style of my Vietnamese dish, I totally hook on it. The grape leaves smoked cinnamon lamb wow. So many choices for vegetarian too, fish and chicken as well. But whatever you do, you must save room for their delicious Soft-Serve, that's all I got to say! Mic drops! Street parking and another parking garage nearby. If you are sick of mediocre food, same old steakhouse/seafood in downtown DC, looking to venture out and explore the world of deliciousness, COME HERE! They also have the individual dome for outdoor dining! But the best table in the house are the two right in front of the kitchen, where you witness all the actions snd how TRUE FOODs is being made! Tell chef Rafidi @1MandaBear sends you :) read more

Unbelievable service and the food is sooo good! We've wanted to try this restaurant for so long and finally made ot

This place is not hype. The food was amazing and the chef is actually out working the floor to ensure all diners have a great experience

Fantastic meal. As many have noted, the mushroom hummus was incredible, and the pita that came with it was perfectly charred, beyond fluffy, and piping hot. We went after they had switched to the prefix meal. We selected the fish for our main course, and the buttermilk sauce that came with the fish was so delicious, I could have licked it from the plate if I was alone. They were really great about emailing ahead of time to find out any dietary restrictions and make sure there was more than enough for me to eat. My one tiny gripe was that there was a significant time gap between each course. While I appreciate not being rushed, dinner ended up being close to 3 hours, and on a week night when I have work early the next day, getting out of dinner after 10 is rough for me. read more

Terrible customer service. We tried to cancel a reservation over the phone and nobody picked up all week. We also sent an email and then received a reply after the 48 hour fee window. read more

Beautifully prepare lamb kebab, rice with salad, pita, hummus, baba ghanoush, smoked shrimp. Nice wine pairings. Great setting near the navy yard. read more

Greatly enjoyed the sofra tasting menu and premium wine pairing. Cuisine most assuredly at a well deserved Michelin star level -- excellent pacing of the meal from local oysters to za'atar flatbread to succulent lamb tenderloin to a stone fruit desert. Every course a delight and a generous meal on the whole. Wine pairings were excellent -- three of glasses made both the beverage and food better, which is the mark of a skilled somm. We'll be back again soon. read more

Albi - Middle Eastern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

this place is beautiful and conceptually i love the idea of "elevated" middle eastern/ lebanese cuisine, but some items are SO expensive and they feel like they are priced just to be pricey. $16 baba ghanoush? $16 balatas harra? it feels like alot. that said: the balatas are amazing, the wild mushroom hummus is interesting, smoked bobo's chicken is served with the chicken feet ON (its visually rough for this gal) my friends loved the lamb kabob the yellow fin kibbeh rayya is truly the best thing on this menu, its made with all the spices of beef kibbeh, served with mint, toum (garlic) and lettuce). i could eat 2 plates in one sitting. Also the bread is DIVINE. fresh bread is basically heaven. read more