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    ilili DC

    4.4 (735 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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    ILILI DC ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - ilili DC

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    Hummus
    Lia M.

    I was so excited for ilili. I'd been a few years prior for a private event and everything was fantastic. But I went with a friend for dinner and didn't love it, and given the price, it should have been excellent. I loved the vibe and service was friendly. It's pretty inside. I ordered the Keraz Carciofi Negroni, pointing to the mocktail version. I didn't even realize there was a cocktail version and that's what they gave me. Why you would a have cocktail and mocktail with the same name is beyond me. I got lightheaded and dizzy almost immediately, but I couldn't taste alcohol, so I thought it was because I hadn't eaten, especially as I felt fine once I started eating. So this also tells me that the cocktail version is poorly made. I was definitely charged for the cocktail version. We ordered the Lebanese Journey tasting menu. Nothing really wowed, except for the bread, baba ghanoush, and mouhamara. The mouhamara surprised me because it is usually not my favorite but this version was delicious. Lamb was tasty but not good enough that I'd return for it. For a tasting menu to just have two mezeh standouts, on top of an improperly made mocktail, I'd not return to ilili.

    Lisa G.

    Really enjoyed lunch at ilili last week. The service was honestly one of the best parts of the experience. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome without being too over the top. The food was good across the board. We ordered a mix of dishes to share and really liked the kibbeh, meatballs, and whole fish. The portions were solid, the presentation was beautiful, and everything came out fresh. The restaurant itself is also really pretty and has a nice atmosphere for a lunch date or catching up with friends. Not quite a perfect experience for me personally, but definitely a strong 4 stars and I'd go back again.

    Iftaar assortment
    Jihan N.

    This was the first time I tried this restaurant and I'm glad I did. We opted for the Iftaar set menu even though we were pass the time. They accommodated our group of 4 and we were very happy. There was so much food offered and honestly I can't even remember all the names but I'll try to mention a few that kept me wanting coming back. - The lamb leg with rice - gosh my favorite x Stuffed dates Hummus Eggplant Lentil soup So many more other things I can't remember. The waiter was very attentive and we felt very well taken care of. They did not rush us or anything and our girls evening was just wonderful. The food is fresh , flavorful and amazing. I definitely want to Go back to try more dishes. The ambience is definitely vibe and we enjoyed all the hustle and bustle of the restaurant. Amazing place all around!

    Alison M.

    Ilili was cute! Great location beside The Anthem at The Wharf and service was excellent, attentive and extremely competent with ability to make recommendations and discuss, in-depth, menu choices. We chose to go lighter and eat after our show at nearby Anthem. So, we got the fattoush salad, the lamb and beef meatballs, and rice. Paired with their warm pita bread, this was more than enough of a fill us up and the meatballs were served with delicious, warm cherries that I probably could've eaten by themselves. Our server was elegant and knowledgable about the menu and easily about to answer all questions and make suggestions for us. As we were seeing a show at The Anthem we had a "hard stop" time and we easily met this and were on our way. Would come back again for sure.

    Kelsey R.

    We went to Ilili because our Uber driver recommended to stop by here. We were not disappointed at all. The food was excellent and the presentation of the food was beautiful. We had the lamb, which the meat itself just melted off of the bone, and the duck shawarma with pita. All the flavors hit the spot, the staff was kind and attentive. The place itself was hip and off of the water. The price of the items on the menu was a bit higher than we normally spend, however it was worth it!

    Hummus
    Sanah J.

    The ambiance here is unbeatable! It's a little pricey, but definitely recommend for a special event - I went for my birthday dinner and had a great time! The food is delicious and the staff is kind.

    Zack G.

    Middle Eastern restaurant that was ranked #7 on Yelp's national restaurant ratings. The place is slightly upscale and stylish, and the prices reflect this. The menu is comprised of a bunch of tapas-style dishes, but they have some larger dishes as well I came here with my fiancé for dinner on a Friday night and we split 4 different dishes: hummus, Brussel sprouts, duck schwarma, & meatballs. They were all solid, but best by far was the Brussel sprouts. Service was extremely fast, friendly, and on top of things

    Hummus with Lamb Confit, Smoked Beets, and Fattoush
    Tiffany E.

    AMAZING! I have been to ilili before with family and we were a large group. It wasn't as memorable as my dinner with my sister recently. Dimitri, our waiter was really helpful in helping us picking unforgettable dishes. We started off with the hummus with Lamb confit. So good, and like Dimitri said, game changer. 5/5! We enjoyed the fattoush salad and smoked beets with the burrata in side together. So sweet and fresh! Both 5/5 Then we had the Brussels sprouts and carrots! 5/5! Generous portion sizes. My sister went home and devoured the rest of her share of the Brussel sprouts. I was close to doing the same! The grilled octopus is so delicious! The sauce and smoky taste is incredible! 5/5 The service was amazing, everyone is so attentive, making sure out glass is full of water or the zero proof drinks we got... my sister enjoyed her grapefruit soda and loved my sweet berry hibiscus drink. Will be returning!

    Abdou B.

    First time trying this place on my bday while in dc. Great atmosphere and location. Not too loud or crowded. Large variety of options on the menu however some were not wow, still very good and i would recommend

    Varsha S.

    I would rate this a 3.5 rounded up to a 4. This restaurant has a really cute, upscale interior and the servers are very nice and knowledgeable when it comes to describing their dishes and making recommendations. Kahwa x Shay- their version of an espresso martini. It was the perfect balance of alcohol, bitterness from the espresso, but some sweet/spice as well. So good! Mouhamara- a great dip to try if you want to branch out of the traditional hummus! The sweetness of the pomegranate was a great touch. King prawns- these were delicious! The shrimp was nice and tender and I liked the sauce. Cod- the fish was cooked perfectly. I will say the acidity of the tomatoes and the sauce was a tad bit much for me, but I enjoyed the fish itself. Overall a super cute spot in dc!!

    Sneha W.

    The place is beautiful and the staff is very polite. They're very welcoming to say the least. Our server was so well spoken - I've not met one in recent memory. The menu has a few different styles of food available. The hummus, falafel, duck shawarma, lamb burger - and all the dips we ordered were amazing. The bread came in nice and warm wrapped up in the napkins. Really good! The baklava was outstanding. The best thing on the menu!! It was quite an experience.

    Duck Shawarma
    Dazia H.

    Simply put I love this place. The service is amazing the food is immaculate and the drinks are even better. This restaurant is just a vibe all around I came before going to a concert at the anthem and it was the perfect preconcert dining experience

    Jad A.

    Easily one of my new favorite spots in DC. First off, the restaurant and decor are just awesome. A lot of windows, greenery and fun furniture. Second, the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Lastly, their food was delicious. Their grilled meets were perfect. Their fattoush is one of the best I have tried in the US. Great drink options too.

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    14 days ago

    Excellent food and ambiance. Try the lamb belly for sure! Great location for brunch. Baba is also delicious.

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    Page 1 of 19

    ilili DC Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - ilili DC

    How many ounces is the lamb shank? Can it feed 2 people?

    I have been there twice and had it on both occasions, shared amongst two. It was just enough. Of course we also had some other great things as well. But yes, eating it alone might be too much.

    Hello would it be appropriate to wear formal attire here? Example suit/ dress shoes etc and gowns

    Like all of DC, you can dress up or down and it's probably okay. It's a bit of an upscale feel, but attire ranges from smart business to flip flops for the pier.

    Is this restaurant pet friendly?

    No pets. Would call about service animals.

    Does this have dress code? or casual?

    No formal dress code from restaurant but patrons tend to be on the slightly dressy side.

    Is this restaurant by reservation only or people can also walk in?

    You can walk in however if there aren't any tables available you'll have to sit at the bar. We walked in and sat at the bar. A few other people at the bar but with us it was pretty full. Don't think it would accommodate another party. If you want a… Read more

    Is the restaurant kid's friendly?

    Yes it is

    Is any of the food halal?

    Yes, all of it- my friend is muslim and they informed us that the restaurant is halal.

    Is ilili like ambar? does it have an unlimited option, one price to pay to order multiple items on the menu?

    No it's not like Ambar

    Is there outdoor seating?

    Hi Zeb, our veranda has retractable windows and a retractable roof. However they are only open weather permitting.

    Do I need to make a reservation?

    Yesss, reservations run out quick as well!

    View All 11 Questions

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    La Vie - Rice ball appetizer...delicious!

    La Vie

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$

    Happy hour. Decent prices and lasts until 7pm. It's a very…read morehigh end place and normal SW DC residents can't really afford it. Last time I dined at La Vie, was when I proposed to my wife in 2019. It was an amazing expirenced and very special occasion (for me) with amazing food and customer service. Our expirence at HH today was no different. We had a group of 5 and sat that the bar. The drinks and food HH specials are decently priced. The same quality you would receive if it weren't HH. Very friendly, attentive, polite. Just seemed like an all around nice guy and. True professional. It was impressive just watching him craft cocktails. Marvin was our server and gave us complimentary tasting of the "Marvin Margaritas" his own made up concoction of Passion fruit juice margarita. It was exquisite! We were all pleasantly surprised for the complementary tasting. But more surprised as how good it tasted. Hands down one of the best margaritas I had ever tasted. This should be on the main drinks menu. (Marvin's true calling is a mixologist) We were a small group of people and just did appetizers and cocktails. We really enjoyed catching up. But the way Marvin treated us middle class customers, He makes you feel like you are a VIP! He just scored 5 loyal customers and I plan on visiting him again at HH on Tuesdays when my schedule permits. La Vie is truly high end, the decor, the amazing views, the service and the food and beverages! The place is immaculate. If you or your friend like to take selfies, this restaurant is full of amazing backgrounds, from the windows overlooking the wharf to the hallways.

    Listen... I was being extra for my birthday and I have zero regrets. I booked two igloo…read moreexperiences at The Wharf. The first one was the appetizer, and La Vie was the main entrée!!! Now let me be honest. The igloos were cute. Very cute. The setup was definitely giving "everybody grab your phone because the content is content-ing." But after experiencing an absolutely AMAZING igloo in Maryland the year before, this one didn't quite gag me the way I expected. The aesthetic was there, but the wow factor was missing. Thankfully, my friends and I showed up in full Mob Wives/Real Housewives of the DMV mode and brought our own entertainment. Fur, glam, attitude, and enough photos to make our storage cry for help. The service? No complaints. The staff treated us like VIPs all night, checked on us constantly, and even let us stay in the igloo a little longer. Love that for us. Now let's talk about the food because HONEY... THAT was the star of the show. Every single person at the table was obsessed with their meal. The food came out looking good and actually tasted good too, which is not always guaranteed at pretty places. We were passing plates, taking bites off each other's forks, and making those little "mmm" noises all night. Honestly, I would've stayed longer, but Mother Nature had other plans. We were literally dining in the middle of a snowstorm brewing over DC. The views were beautiful, the food was hitting, the service was solid, and the birthday vibes were immaculate. Would I come back? Absolutely. The igloo didn't completely eat the way I wanted it to, but the food sure did.

    Photos
    La Vie - Part of restaurant

    Part of restaurant

    La Vie - Prawn ala genovesa

    Prawn ala genovesa

    La Vie - View from where we were seated

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    View from where we were seated

    Albi - Brussel sprouts

    Albi

    4.6(470 reviews)
    1.4 miNavy Yard
    $$$$

    I don't even know where to start with this. Last friday, I had a remarkable dinner here, and I was…read morewowed from the moment I stepped inside. As much as I love the cocktail bar next door, I had no idea this epic place was here. The inside is a bit dark, yet so welcoming and cozy. It's the waiting area if you are either early for your reservation or waiting for others in your party. They are kind enough to give you a glass of water and the cocktail menu in case you want to get started. We were fancy and did the hearth table and WHAT a journey it was. From surprise drink tastings and bites to pretty much trying all new food items and combinations, I would absolutely do it again. I could name the things that I had, but you may or may not know what they are. All I can say was that it was seven delightful courses that left me just right. The friendly, professional staff made it even better. Check the reservations and to the hearth table. Do it.

    Craving for some Middle Eastern eats, we decided to check out Albi…read more We started off with: +the Crispy Kibbeh - kibbeh is one of my favorite snacks, so I was excited to find these on the menu +Jericho Dates - blistered, and prepared with ras el hanout and brown butter +the Mushrooms Lightly Smoked on hummus - with confit egg yolk and black garlic; served with wood-fired potato pita +and, the Sfeeha - wood-fired lamb meat pies, topped with toum and lemon juice For our mains, we ordered: +the BBQ'D Lamb Kebabs - marinated in dill yogurt +the Maqluba - softshell crab upside down on rice with ramps and crab fat yogurt; served with crab dagga gazawiya smashed tomatillo, dill seed, and chilis; note that this dish runs out Service was friendly, and the space is cozy and intimate; loved the seating setup and the coal fire oven! We were thinking of trying out the Sofra, but we decided to order a la carte; maybe next time! Metered and garage parking in the area. +shareables +friendly staff +metered and garage parking available

    Photos
    Albi - Bathroom

    Bathroom

    Albi - Rosewater meringue + walnuts in honey syrup

    Rosewater meringue + walnuts in honey syrup

    Albi - Mocktail

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    Mocktail

    Falafel Inc - Vegan shawarma bowl

    Falafel Inc

    4.6(242 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    a solid 5/5 - does not dissapoint & always hits the spot. for this price and the quality and taste,…read moreyou cannot go wrong here! the service is always very quick and the inside doesn't have seating but has some tables to stand at if you're wating to eat there. i always get the falafel sandwich and the ingredients have always been so fresh and the sauces that you can pick from are all so delicious but my personal favorites are the habibi and white sauces.

    This is one of my go to's and will continue to be! Love their falafel sandwich (with pickles!) and…read morefries. Appreciate you can try different sauces to dip your fries or add to your sandwich or bowls. Only reason they didn't get a 5 star on this last visit was how long it took to get our order. It was a Saturday night, so we did mobile ordering and pickup. It said it would be ready within 3-15 minutes. I arrived 12 min after our order was placed. They were quite busy - and seemed the two employees working were a bit overwhelmed. There were a few people waiting for food, a line to order, they were out of containers for sauces, and some of the sauces were empty. I ended up waiting for an extra 25 minutes until I asked to check on an order - it was apparent from their reaction, our order got lost in the shuffle. Once they realized, they made it right away, which was appreciated. However, they grabbed a bag of fries that had been sitting on the counter since I walked in - so they were cold. Good thing - they do great in the air fryer! I've never experienced these issues before and it won't stop me from returning, definitely felt like a bit of an off night for them. Solid food, great cause, and one of the best affordable options for a quick bite at the Wharf! Recommend them!

    Photos
    Falafel Inc - Menu

    Menu

    Falafel Inc - FALAFEL SANDWICH

    FALAFEL SANDWICH

    Falafel Inc - SHAWARMA SNACK WRAP ($5)

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    SHAWARMA SNACK WRAP ($5)

    Agora DC - Cauliflower**

    Agora DC

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    2.2 miDupont Circle
    $$$

    Was able to do a walk-in on a recent Thursday evening…read more I had been many times before, but it had been a while, so it was great to dine at Agora again. Everyone in my group loved the assortment of small plates that we had. We considered getting the lamb chops, but it only comes with 2, and there were three of us, so we opted against it. The dishes we got instead (an assortment of vegetables, meat, and seafood) were all delicious, and we would all be happy to get them again.

    Went there twice to taste different kinds of Turkish dishes. One time for dinner and the other for…read morelunch. Overall the food was good. The serving size of the dishes I ordered were medium to small. The service was far less satisfactory than food. I tried the following dishes: 1. Complimentary pita: ~40g per piece. Not salty and paired well with the other dishes. Definitely get some! 2. Lahmacun: The lamb+beef mixture was tasty. It came with 4 pieces. 3. Branzino: ~6oz. The fish was grilled to perfection; juciy tender, and the skin was nicely charred. It was served with freh parsley and seasoned grilled tomato (salt+oregano I think). 4. Imam Bayildi: Half of an eggplant topped with sauteed onions and tomatoes. While itself was pretty normal, it went so well with the Ottoman rice. 5. Ottoman Rice: The true highlight of all the dishes I tried! It was basically Basimati rice cooked with dried apricots, raisins, almonds & pine nuts mix, and seasoned with black currant. Overall it was warm, earthy and lightly smoky. The apricot slices added some delightful sweetness and juiciness to the dish. Should pair well with Labneh, chicken and seafood. But to be honest, I can simply eat this stuff along for a whole meal! 6. Tabbouleh: They went against the traditional recipe by substituting the bulgur with quinoa and added some pomegranate arils. I liked the special texture of quinoa. The sweetness of pomegrante arils also enriched the flavors. However, I had to constantly spit the seeds when enjoying the salad. 7. Kofte: Adana style ground beef patties. Just like what I make at home haha! I ordered it as an add-on to my salad at lunchtime. It came with only 2 pieces which weighed no more than 3oz in total... Despite the delicious food, service was disappointing. The first time, the dinner, was Okay. While my food came out slowly, at least my server was aware of it and asked me how I liked the dishes. The second time, the lunch, was horrible. Even before I was seated, my server made me feel that he was reluctant to serve me, and emphasized that I had to order asap. "Luckily", I had already decided what to order. After I got my dishes, no one in the restaurant asked me if the food was Okay. And at the check, my bill was thrown onto my table. In comparison, the two ladies dining next to me came even after I started eating, but were greeted warmly and were given lots of time to decide what to order; not to mention that the staff gave them lots of suggestions, asked about their dining experience, and even chatted with them about sightseeing in DC, etc. Such discrimitory treatment is really unacceptable.

    Photos
    Agora DC - A quiet dining room. The main dining room was much more noisy.

    A quiet dining room. The main dining room was much more noisy.

    Agora DC - Weekend Bottomless Brunch

    Weekend Bottomless Brunch

    Agora DC - Mocktail çiçek

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    Mocktail çiçek

    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon - Garlic Hommus & Baba Ghanoush at Lebanese Tavern Pentagon

    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon

    3.6(516 reviews)
    2.3 miPentagon City
    $$

    Decided to give Lebanese Taverna another shot, assuming they have taken care of those health code…read moreviolations mentioned above. Ordered the roasted beet salad, salmon harra, a glass of Chateau St. Thomas Les Emirs, a chocolate turkish coffee cake, and a glass of Ayran. Roasted beet salad: Balanced between sweet and tart from the oranges, slight pepperiness from the arugula base, a crunch from beets and sunflower seeds and brine mess from the feta. Solid overall. Salmon harra: Flaky and tender, if a little overcooked as last time, though only slightly charred and not devoid of texture. Charred squash and tomato-pepper compote were nice savory accompaniments. Chateau St. Thomas Les Emirs: A full-bodied Bekaa Valley red blend, Rhône-inspired but not a GSM; more GSCS. Not my best pairing, but I prefer fuller reds, so that's on me; it's solid regardless. Chocolate Turkish Coffee Cake: A warm (albeit slightly small) chocolate-lava style cake accompanied by cold mocha ice cream and a room temperature marshmallow crême fondant with date-orange syrup. An eloquent dessert; appreciate the temperature variation as a sensory note. Ayran: Turkish savory yogurt drink to finish. Lightly salted and well creamy, with a refreshing level of tartness; no complains, a decent Ayran. The server was also much nicer this time, which warranted the adding of an additional star. Overall, there is certainly improvement, though still room for more.

    Food was good but they did not include utensils in our delivery order. Wish I had known the…read moretzatziki, hummus, and baba ganoush come with pita. We got 3 bread orders and ended up throwing them out. The chicken kabob was definitely the best item and the shrink appetizer with lemon was excellent as well. The chicken shawarma was not as tender or tasty. The dips were all good and I like their garlic toum. Pretty quick order processing via Uber Eats. Can't speak to the ambiance because we got the food delivered.

    Photos
    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon - The dining room

    The dining room

    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon - Mixed Grill Kabob

    Mixed Grill Kabob

    Lebanese Taverna Pentagon - Inside Lebanese Tavern Pentagon

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    Inside Lebanese Tavern Pentagon

    ala - GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER

    ala

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    2.2 miDupont Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    Brunch review ahead!!!!!…read more Ambiance- perfect for a cute date, time with friends, family members, or coworkers. The ambiance welcomes it all. Hospitality- The hostess was incredibly friendly and seated us upon arrival. Waiter- Eric was an AMAZING waiter. Bubbly personality, very polite and personable. His service was definitely a 10/10 Brunch- My friend and I decided to try their Easter Sunday brunch and my only regret was not visiting here sooner and not selecting an earlier time to dine, LOL! The entire experience was phenomenal! Bottomless mimosas- SO worth the extra $ Standout dishes: Adana meatballs Braised lamb Chicken Golden cauliflower Crispy Falafel Desserts: Baklava Brownie Kadayıf Sadly we did not get to experience all of the brunch menu items because brunch ends at 3pm and our reservations were at the heel of this time. Nonetheless, the standout dishes and desserts were enough for me to come back. I've enjoyed their happy hour, cafe area, and now their brunch. Can't wait to return.

    Three stars isn't the actual rating; I'd say more 3.5. Stopped by after visiting the Dupont…read moreCircle's weekly farmer's market to try their Sunday brunch buffet. Was warmly greeted, seated, and given an overview of the menu and brunch package options; decided to opt-out of the bottomless drinks, which had an alcoholic (mimosas and Bloody Marys) and NA (juices, sodas, drip coffee and black tea), as I wanted to try their more speciality coffee and tea. The drinks I ordered were the Turkish coffee, Levantine-style tea and digestive tea. All were quite solid. The Turkish coffee was as robust as espresso, yet not overwhelmingly bitter and slightly sweetened. The Levantine tea was a smooth black tea with natural sweetness and layered with a mint steep and floral notes of hibiscus, and rose petal. The digestive was more herbaceous with fennel and pomegranate zest, in addition to a steep of spearmint. The food was more hit-or-miss. On one hand, the meat and seafood was all very delicious and well-made. The braised lamb shank is their speciality, and well-deserved, as it's moist, savory and tender. The short rib similarly so, and the chicken casserole, lamb biajeen, Adana kebab and steamed lavraki (sea bass) were all similarly flavorful. On the other hand, the sides and mezze options were more mixed; the dolmas and fresh bites cheese with za'atar/nuts were delightful, however, the borek, cheeses, and some of the dips tasted reheated and/or not super fresh, the Brussels sprouts were quite scorched, and the savory salmon waffles were bone dry and flavorless. The French onion soup had the right flavor profile, but not the intensity; it tasted watered-down and even looked it, due to the noticeable oil blebs on the surface. Dessert was similar; the melon and fruits were fresh enough, the yogurt bar was quality, the kadayif nutty with the sweetness balanced, and the layali lubnan was intoxicatingly tasty, but many of the baked goods looked rather packaged and the fondue station was mediocre. The staff, however, were extremely friendly (my special regards to Mia, she's a great conversationalist and a sweetheart!). They answered all my questions, and one of the bartenders even gave me half a lemon to zuzh up my tea with. As I said at the start, more 3.5 stars than 3 stars. The core of their offerings are all quality, so I can't quite dock them a full two stars for the food quality because they had buffets aren't usually renown for said quality. You really can't expect perfection from AYCE, even though I naturally encourage the management to avoid sourcing pre-made items from Sysco if possible. The friendly staff and eloquent Eastern Mediterranean ambiance allows me to still say I enjoyed this experience, and may be back for dinner in the future.

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    ilili DC - lebanese - Updated June 2026

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