Entire ambiance was ideal!! The food to the service was top…read morenotch. Will definitely take my lady here again for dates.

Gypsy Kitchen is one of those places you can take anyone and everyone to have a great time and an…read moreeven greater meal! One of my favorite tapas style spots in DC! Everything and when I say everything, is absolutely delicious! Some honorable mentions are the hummus, beef kebabs, and literally anything bread! Always so fresh and delicious, and the service/vibe is top tier for a good photo opp! PS: Crispiest Diet Coke in DC!!!!!

Love love love this place. The food, the service, the ambiance! Everything is just so awesome. They…read morehave great options and everything tastes so fresh and delicious. I haven't tasted any other Mediterranean bowl that tastes this awesome. I even got extra chicken on the side and the spices just hit right. The falafels were also so light, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Highly recommend this place!

By the beard of Zeus, this establishment is amazing! As soon as I walked in, I felt as if I were…read morewalking the hallowed halls of the Parthenon itself! The food is wonderful, the service is amazing and the ambiance is pitch-perfect. Not since the great Acropolis have I seen such wonder! Not since the Bacchanalian revels in Knossos Palace have I tasted such perfection! A+

I treated my friend to brunch after seeing all the hype on TikTok, Yelp, and Instagram, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to it! This was easily one of the most entertaining brunches I've experienced in the DMV, while still maintaining an upscale vibe. From the singer taking special requests during brunch to the live entertainment afterward, drummers, dancers, and a saxophonist turning things into a full brunch party...we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What really stood out, though, was that the food matched the energy. At some places, you get great entertainment but mediocre food - not here. Everything was beautifully presented, served at the perfect temperature, and genuinely delicious. My friend was so impressed with her birthday celebration that she thanked me for days afterward. The service was impeccable, the space is stunning with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, and despite how busy it was, it somehow still felt warm and welcoming. If you're in the mood to get dressed up, enjoy an upscale brunch, celebrate a special occasion, or impress someone on a date, this is definitely the place. I'm already looking forward to my next brunch party here!

Gorgeous restaurant! I felt very underdressed but I loved the vibrant atmosphere…read more STARTER: Prosciutto - very large portion, had plenty to take home, thinly sliced and addictive ENTREE: Hanger Steak Au Poivre $56 10 oz black angus hanger steak, pomme frites & green beans, green peppercorn sauce *I really enjoyed the steak but I didn't finish it because I polished off 2 trays of bread by myself...andddd I don't regret it. COCKTAILS: Smoked Old Fashioned $18 BB Bourbon, BB House Bitters, Syrup, Smoke *I loved the smokiness of the drink and it went great with the bread because I had no self control... Our service was consistent throughout dinner and they packed up all of our leftovers very nicely and set them aside on the counter while we chatted and they didn't rush us with the bill like a lot of establishments do. **Would you believe it that the server packed me a to go box of bread? I am dead. I could not stop laughing when I saw that. I will definitely be back! ;)

Maydan is amazing. FYI, it's the green door that has their name on it. It's obvious, but for some…read morereason, none of us in our group clocked that and we accidentally ended up confused and in thier event space. XD. Anyway, misadventure aside, our group of 6 was in the upstairs room. For groups of 5 or more they have you do the tasting menu but we asked to do a la carte and they allowed us. We got a lot of food, all of which I can't remember, that included the shakshukah, one of the salads, 3 of the spreads, the veggies and a few others. The cocktails drew rave reviews as did my wife and i's mocktails and we loved how substantive the list was. The fresh, constantly coming bread was amazing. Everything was delightful and incredibly tasty and well seasoned. One note: the bathroom music is REALLY loud (it's the same music as in the restaurant) so if you've got loop earplugs or ones you can easily pop in that don't block out your company, that'll help. Oh and also, the currently on offer bitter orange sorbet isn't actually bitter. It's just the name.

Some restaurants serve an excellent meal. Maydan creates an experience…read more This reservation had been on my wish list for quite some time, and when everything finally aligned, it exceeded every expectation. The restaurant itself is stunning. Walking in, you're immediately greeted by the massive open hearth where much of the cooking happens. Watching the chefs tend the fire throughout the evening adds another layer to the experience and sets the tone before your first bite even arrives. Our server explained the tasting menu ($95 per person) and optional wine pairing ($75 pp), but we decided to order à la carte--and I wouldn't change a thing. We started with the Carrot Havuç spread. It was impossibly light, silky, and beautifully whipped. I'll admit, the bread seemed understated at first, but after the first bite, it became clear that the spread was meant to be the star. Every bite was packed with flavor. The lamb shish kebab was incredibly tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The Omani shrimp arrived with five enormous shrimp that were cooked flawlessly. Then came the whole roasted chicken. Watching it roast over the fire as we entered made us excited, but nothing prepared us for how incredible it would taste. It was, without question, some of the best chicken I've ever eaten. Moist, deeply flavorful, beautifully seasoned, and delicious completely on its own. It came with an accompanying sauce that was excellent, but honestly, use it sparingly--you don't want anything distracting from the chicken itself. When a dish can stand entirely on its own, that's greatness. Since it was a whole chicken, we happily went home with leftovers (which felt like winning the lottery). The cocktails deserve their own standing ovation. A special thank you to Nancy upstairs-- Great bartenders don't just make drinks--they elevate the entire experience, and she certainly did. The Serpent was beautifully balanced with bright citrus and herbal notes, while the Medina Palmer was refreshing, unique, and one of the most memorable cocktails I've had in a long time. Every drink felt carefully crafted rather than simply mixed. In the beginning of our night they asked if we were celebrating anything and I immediately answered, "my friend graduated from nursing school." Little did we know, they came with glasses of bubbly at the end of our dining experience to celebrate! Such a lovely gesture to end our evening. The word that kept coming up throughout dinner was divine. Service was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding us through the menu. A few practical tips: * Reservations book well in advance, so plan ahead. * Street parking is limited. We chose to Uber and were glad we did. This was one of those meals where every course made us look at each other and say, "Wow." I can't wait to return.

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Everything was made fresh so it…read morewas about 15-minute wait but that's ok, I took the opportunity to look around the market. I picked up a few things. We got a medium Falafel sandwich and a Shawarma sandwich. Wow. Delicious. I actually may have liked the Falafel just slightly better but both were excellent. I also got an extra garlic sauce on the side... just love. Until next time.

I feel like I found a favorite near us. It's not one of those places where I would travel to, but…read moreif you're relatively close to Urbana, it's worth a stop. It's a small mart that specializes in middle eastern Mediterranean cuisine and ingredients. They place does not have seating inside, but plenty of seating outside. So plan on either take out or picnicking. They make the food right as you order so things are fresh. The part I really liked about this place was that the sauces were not overly salted - to increase shelf life - and the amount of oil/butter was not overly used to try to mask the ingredients. It's more on the "let the ingredients speak for itself" which I really dig. In the end, you don't feel heavy after the meal and you feel like you had a hearty and healthy meal. My favorite was the lamb shawarma. He toasts the outside pita and it gives it a nice crunch. The lamb is fresher than other places and he doesn't over season it to hide the lamb smell. Other places - if you notice - tends to use cumin a lot of mask the lamb smell. Not here though. The falafel sandwich was okay. It was colder than the lamb shawarma. But the falafels were made right there in front of you. I got the sujuk sandwich too (which is a type of sausage). It was a breakfast burrito basically. Our order took 20 mins to make and he makes it right when you order. So be prepared to stay there and peruse around. Some ingredients there were interesting. The one thing that caught my eye was a bottle of pomegranate molasses. He sells it close to 50% what Harris Teeter would charge and he has various brands of pomegranate molasses. I use pomegranate molasses to make grenadine for cocktails. Also has orange blossom and rose water (also both used for cocktails) I like this place and the guy is nice and sweet.

So fresh so good!!! The first time I went it felt so…read morehomely, the portion size, the quality... perfection!!

Food was fresh, flavorful and cooked to order, quickly. I wasn't familiar with all the toppings and…read moresauces so the staff took the time out to explain them without making me feel bad. Portions are amazing for the price and there is plenty of seating. Definitely going back!

Really cute space! Love the indoor trees and decor! Staff super friendly, passionate and kind…read more Loved the falafel and mushroom shish kebab! Those were my favorites. Followed by the Zaytoon and then hummus and cauliflower. All really good but in that order of preference! Can't miss the first two. So much flavorrrrr

They charged for olives in my martini! First I ordered their signature drink, after asking and…read morebeing told it was not too sweet. It was very sweet. Our server suggested a glass of white wine - undrinkable to my taste. I asked for a martini, up, with olives. It was a very nice martini - until we got the bill. They charged $1 for each olive! Outrageous! Who does this? I will never go back and promised I'd share this story with as many people as possible. The decor is old, they've done nothing to update since the prior restaurant, Positano, left. If you're contemplating this place- walk past! Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else

Rumi's Kitchen DC was an absolute standout and one of my favorite meals in DC. The flavors were…read moreoutstanding, and what impressed me most was how beautifully they let the meat shine without overwhelming it with spices or sauces. Even the vegetarians in our group were raving about the food. We ordered the lamb merguez, mushroom hummus, eggplant appetizer, and a family-style spread of soltani kebab, lamb kebab, and chicken barg. Everything was packed with flavor and beautifully prepared. The portions are HUGE, so definitely plan to share. I also loved the fresh sabzi served with pita--it was such a simple but delicious addition. The mocktails were excellent as well and paired beautifully with the food. Service was outstanding. We were a large group, and the team took excellent care of us with quick, attentive, and friendly service throughout. The ambience is fantastic, with a rustic, warm vibe that makes the restaurant feel both lively and inviting. Between the incredible food, generous portions, and excellent service, Rumi's Kitchen is an easy recommendation and a place I'd happily return to.

When my wife and I lived in Atlanta, Rumi's first location in Sandy Springs represented our…read morefavorite restaurant in the metro area. It has since expanded into other markets. A recent visit to DC with some dear friends provided the perfect opportunity to check out their branch here and assess how it compares to the original. Happily, I found the food here essentially equivalent to what I sampled at the Atlanta locations, that is, excellent. We started with the sabzi and bread service, which pairs Rumi's excellent and freshly baked Persian style naan with fresh herbs and feta cheese, which makes for a light and refreshing start to the meal. Our appetizers comprised the lamb hummus, the fatoush salad, kashk-bademjan eggplant dip, and the duo of yogurts. All were great, with the classic, creamy eggplant and the tangy, cooling yogurt duo standing out for me personally. We ordered three entrees, including the lamb kebab, beef soltani combination, and the duck fesenjan stew. All the kebabs possessed a juicy texture, great seasoning, and had an excellent cook. The duck had a tangy sweet flavor profile that may not be for everyone but was nonetheless satisfying with rice. Speaking of the rices, the fluffy grains complimented all of our dishes well and we particularly enjoyed the dill-fava bean as well as the lentil-raisin renditions. Do note that portions here are generous, and splitting entrees is suggested especially if you opt for a decent number of appetizers as we did. Special mention should be made of the cocktails at Rumi's. While I personally did not have a mixed drink, my friends all raved about the flavor profiles of their libations and found them refreshing and balanced relative to others we had in the city. Service here meets the high standard I experienced at the Atlanta locations, and our waitress was helpful and attentive. The space itself is bright and strikes a great balance between rustic Persian accents and more modern, swanky touches. Overall, Rumi's offers a well rounded Persian dining experience with great food, drinks, service, and ambiance which is hard to beat. It's well worth a visit for any fan of Middle Eastern flavors, and my wife and I are already planning our next meal here.

Excellent value for money, truly fantastic. Compared to similar dishes like ilili, it might be more…read morepalatable to a wider audience. Pita: Pure wheat flavor, substantial texture, and even more moist and soft than ilili. It didn't dry out even without a cloth covering it. More suited to Chinese tastes. The accompanying simple vinaigrette was complemented by a particularly fragrant olive oil. Hommus: The hummus was smooth and creamy, with a perfect balance of acidity and a hint of garlic. A splash of chili oil added aroma and richness while preventing it from drying out; the vegetables were fresh and crisp, perfect for dipping. These two combinations were new to me, showing attention to detail compared to the usual simple dish of hommus. Shish Taouk: Tender chicken, with sumac giving it a distinct smoky flavor, and a refreshing, slightly acidic garlic sauce. The combination was both fragrant and light, truly deserving of its signature dish. Unfortunately, the onion salad was mildly sweet, offering limited relief from the richness; the roasted tomatoes, coated in spices, had their sweet and sour flavors overshadowed, resulting in a slightly weird taste. Lamb Baharat: The lamb leg was a bit dry and tough, and the tahini sauce and hommus were somewhat repetitive, but the Tabbouleh salad won me over from the first bite! The fresh aromas of parsley, mint leaves, and onions, the bright sweet and sour notes of tomatoes, and the wheat crumbs reminiscent of couscous and quinoa, with their hearty wheat flavor balancing the raw taste. Overall, it was restrained, light, and comforting. Crispy Brussels Afelia: The barberries, and garlic yogurt were all sour, making the overall dish too acidic and monotonous. It wasn't as good as ilili's system, built with grapes, walnuts, and mint yogurt, which achieved a balanced sweet and sour flavor, layered texture, and a smooth mouthfeel. Greek Yogurt and Apricots: What a beautiful dessert! The top layer was the rich, sweet aroma of apricot sorbet, with sprinkles of pistachios that enriched the taste; the middle layer was the tartness of apricot pectin and the fermented tang of yogurt; just when starting to feel a little disappointed by the monotony of the bottom, I discovered sweet, slightly crunchy diced muscat-soaked apricots at the very bottom. Its elegance, refinement, and meticulousness left me only with awe and admiration, and a sense of blissful ecstasy. The restaurant's decor features classic Greek blue and white tones, with natural light creating a clean and comfortable atmosphere; the tableware was decorated with traditional Greek patterns, making it both distinctive and exquisite.

It's just a step below the other Jose Andres restuarants here in DC…read more FYI: it's all small plates/small portions. And actually, that FYI is one of my knocks, there's just less bang for your buck portion wise here. Everything is very flavorful and well done though. My Chicken Kouvetsi, while tasty seemed to have not that much chicken. Many bites were just orzo and tomato sauce. I needed more chicken. The bread is complimentary and very tasty; hilariously, after we asked for more, they just kept bringing our group 2 baskets. This review sounds very negative for 4 stars, but Zaytinya is niceand the food is tasty. Just know all the above going in. It's also very noisy,to the point where it was hard to hear everyone at our table and our server had a hard time hearing us. They probably need to update their soundproofing or just have fewer tables. That actually led to some confusion about the "for the table" lamb dish we ordered, which seemed to come out as sliced lamb, seasoned as described on the menu, on a plate. Frankly, for the price it didnt seem like enough for our group of 6. Also, there were 2-3 flies around our table before we sat down. They eventually left, but that probably should signal there's more mess there than just wiping down the table takes care of.

Lovely little spot for grabbing some takeout. Called ahead and they had it ready in 10 minutes…read more Prices might seem a bit high at around 18/20 for some of the meals but they really give some very generous portions. Nice char on the meat, well seasoned, big portions overall, tasty sauce on the side... will definitely be back to try some of their other offerings - especially from the small bites/sides category.

Great kebab takeout place across Eastern Market metro station. Juicy kebabs, nice mix of veggies in…read morea salad, large portions, everything is cooked on site ( kebabs are grilled to order), short waiting time. Great place and better tasting than my used-to-be-favorite Moby Dick