I was in Washington D.C. for the weekend and tried this amazing Mediterranean place for lunch. My…read morefriend who recommended this place has been obsessed with the food here and I can totally see why. We ordered mushroom kapnista, Halloumi pide, zaatar pide, htipiti and everything was so delicious. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the combination of dates and mushrooms together but really loved the smoky mushroom by itself. I was also very impressed with the Zaatar pide, it was cheesy and delicious. For desert we ordered greek yogurt with apricot and it was probably the best thing we tried here. The ambience is classy and they have ample of seating space. The overall meal didn't cost us as much as I thought it was, the prices were fairly reasonable!

I've had good meals at Zaytinya over the years, and I've had not so good meals. So maybe it's best…read moreto focus on the high points when they come. This time it was the apricot ice cream that is part of the apricot and yogurt dessert. Something special and worth recording. Also good: babaganoush. Smoky like it's supposed to be. I had been looking forward to the baharat lamb, which had been so outstanding on my previous visit. Sadly, not so much this time. The bread - thin and insubstantial tasting. Tabbouleh - pretty good but I prefer how they do it at my local place. And so it goes.

A definite return in the near future and definitely recommend to colleagues. The ambience was…read moresuperb , not overly loud or chaotic, very relaxed.

First time here and I was definitely impressed. The inside is very aesthetically pleasing, and the…read moreoverall atmosphere was great. Service was quick, and the menu was explained perfectly. The mixed grill plate was definitely a hit. The lamb chops were seasoned so well, and the chicken and beef kabobs were just as good. Definitely recommend getting the mixed grill if it's your first time. We also ordered a side of potatoes, and they were seasoned perfectly, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. And you absolutely cannot leave without ordering the hummus Overall, great food, great service, and a beautiful atmosphere.

Went here with my husband for our anniversary, and had a gift card. We chose outdoor seating…read morewithout seeing it, I had previously seen pictures of the inside and assumed the outdoor vibes would be just as fun and vibey. I was very wrong. It was literally in the alley, and was giving Covid setup. Definitely would not recommend the outdoor area to anyone. There was no music, the decor was fine but again, looked very subpar and you could tell everyone else that arrived and sat outside after us had the same thoughts. Now to the food. I will say all of it was good, but for the price? I could find another Middle Eastern adjacent restaurant in DC for less money. It was a little outrageous in my opinion. We did choose the tawle experience. The dips with good, and came with endless flatbread. But it was interesting how some of the portions were huge and then others felt like they were skimping. We got huge portions of pickled vegetables and a giant salad, but then when it came to the shrimp kabobs we ordered, we got 5 pieces of shrimp. I will say the steak portion we chose we large, but then again for dessert, it was just a half mason jar size of a chocolate mousse to split...It was just interesting. Several of the staff knew it was our anniversary and they could've given maybe an additional dessert or a glass of champagne but nothing. Again for a restaurant of this caliber, you would just expect more. I say all of this to say, we did have a gift card that covered most of our $300+ meal. But if I were going without that, I would've been even more disappointed. I know people have raved about this place for years, but the original chefs have changed, and I'm understanding more why they've lost their Michelin star. It was good/fine but was far from exceptional.

Came here for a date night and it was INCREDIBLE!…read more The aesthetic in here is gorgeous and so dim and moody, very nice for a cozy dinner. My fiancé and I got the Tawle dinner option which incorporates multiple dishes to be shared. We enjoyed it thoroughly but we had a lot of food boxed because we couldn't finish it all lols I think we would've been better off with à la carte - I do think the Tawle works best with a group of people (minimum 3/4) just because the number of dishes, but nonetheless 10/10 experience. With regards to parking, the closest garage is like ~8 min walking distance so I mean it's not bad.

Went to this restaurant because I was interested in their manti (dumplings) and Tabbouleh salad. So…read moreI made a reservation for lunch, but these items were not on the lunch menu -- note that on their website there was only main menu and weekend brunch menu. Luckily, the manager asked the kitchen to do a special order for me, so I was able to try both of them! Moreover, when he learned that I wanted to make the manti, he even carefully explained to me how it was cooked! Thanks a lot!!! The Yara's Manti was basically small, boat shaped, half-covered dumplings baked in oil, then topped with yogurt and pine nuts. This is completely different from how Turkish or Afghan manti is made, thus having a different flavor as well. The baking procedure gave some crispiness to the dumplings, while the oil helped them to maintain sufficient moisture. These dumplings went well with the yogurt; I also tried sprinkling some sumac on them and it was great. However, the yogurt tend to get mixed with the oil when you move the dumplings. it would be better if they serve the dumplings (and toppings) in a separate, heated container. Yara's Tabbouleh is a creative twist to the traditional Tabbouleh. Besides the usual ingredients, there were diced beets and pomegranate arils. Both added some refreshing sweetness to the salad, and the beets also some hint of earthiness. The freshly baked pita was also delicious. Each piece weighed ~55-65g and was topped with sumac. Paired well with the other two dishes. The restaurant had a beautiful decor. At lunchtime there were not many people so it was relatively quiet. I will go there again the next time I visit DC! And I want to thank the resturant again for offering me the opportunity to try these dishes!

Food is easily a 4.5-5 stars and really enjoyable so if I recommended based on just food alone, yes…read more100% go there. Their hummus was creamy and in my top 5 of the DMV thus far. Their mandu dumplings are extremely flavorful and their za'atar flatbread is simple but perfectly crisp and spiced. There were some hiccups with brunch when I went. My first pet peeve is when a menu online lies and they changed their AYCE (which is why we went) to a more expensive pick 3 items type thing (it is full portions so still filling but was disappointing). It was hard for us to get service, our drink was priced incorrectly on it, and it took some hounding to get some of our dishes out (I think our server forgot to put one in and just said it takes a while/ we had finished the rest of our food practically). I'd come back and try again at least because their food is flavorful and good.

Their lentil soup has to be a family secret because it is unbelievable good. I strongly recommend…read morethat you go with an apetite and enjoy the maanek (saulteed beef and lamb sausages), the batata harra and the artichokes. Sahtein!

Lebanese Taverna is always delicious! I had this restaurant 2 years ago in Maryland, dreamt about…read morethe bread and shawarma since then. They give free flatbread, which was this puffy bread that was piping hot that can be dipped in their sauce, consisting of olive oil and herbs. We ordered a mehshi, which is tomato, eggplant, and zucchini stuffed with rice pilaf, concoction of sauces, and nuts. As simple as the dish is, it's hearty and my boyfriend loved it! The tomato and yogurt sauce go well together, many vegetarian dishes taste very plain, but this dish was flavorful. The Taverna platter is always a safe option, with selection of beef or chicken shawarma, hummus, and veggies. I complain a lot of other Middle Eastern restaurants have dry shawarma, but this restaurant cooked it perfectly.

Reservation: Keep refreshing the Tock page. Last minute cancellations are quite frequent on the day…read moreor prior. Cocktails: Great starters for the upcoming wonderful experience Ordering: Our waiter was super friendly and patient, explaining the style and dishes to us first-time visitors. Recommended 3-4 small dishes per person, and each larger plate counted as 2 small dishes. We opted for à la carte but only ordered 2 small dishes + 1 dessert per person given our smaller appetites Wine list: Extensive list spanning across difference countries. Our Sommelier was extremely knowledgeable. We chose the journey through Levantine wine, and it felt like a full course of wine history and geography. The experience included 4 Levantine wines, specifically chose to pair with your à la carte food items. We had a mix of brut, skin contact wine, red wine and brandy. All were fabulous and paired extremely well with the food. Highly recommend! Food: Loved everything! The pita bread was definitely the highlight. Every bite/dish was like an adventure through the ingredients and spices. Even the desserts had a touch of different spices but not over-powering the sweetness Highly recommend Albi if you could get a reservation!

Albi Overall Rating:…read more(4/5 Stars) Everyone loves Albi, so my expectations were sky-high for my first traditional tasting menu. While the food was very good, I actually preferred the Sofra Series dinner with Chef Brandon Jew. This menu felt a bit safe and repetitive, especially after what felt like an all-lamb tasting by the end of the night. 12 Course Tasting Menu $165 * Starter: I don't like olives or radishes, so I left this one to the table. The consensus was positive. * Course 1: Oysters with trout roe? Consider me converted. This combination needs to stay in my life. * Course 2: Lamb-stuffed bread is one of my favorite things on Earth. The dipping sauce added just enough freshness to balance the richness. * Course 3: A pea tartare was not on my bingo card, but here we are. Unique, refreshing, and unlike anything I've had before. The mint and lettuce pairing made it even more memorable. * Course 4: Pretty, cheesy, citrusy, and delicious. Sometimes that's all you need. * Course 5: Savory hummus is the superior hummus. Add seasoned pita and I'm a happy camper. * Course 6: I'm not a grape leaf person. The lamb outside of the wraps, however, was excellent. * Course 7: My favorite course of the evening. That said, I've had another version of this dumpling at Albi before, and I actually liked that one more. * Course 8: Tender, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth lamb. No complaints. * Course 9: I genuinely don't know what happened here. The flavors and textures just didn't work for me. * Course 10: Yet another lamb dish. At this point, I was experiencing lamb fatigue. The cinnamon was also more aggressive than necessary. * Course 11: Warm, comforting, and exactly what I wanted from dessert. * Course 12: Ice cream is rarely a bad decision, and it was a lovely way to end the meal. Service: The service was exceptional. If I'm being nitpicky, ordering another round of drinks took a bit longer than expected. Otherwise, the staff was attentive and knowledgeable, delivering the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back. Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do.

I wasn't feeling well today, so I went to Fettoosh for harira soup. It was warm, flavorful, and…read morejust the light, balanced meal I wanted. I've been here many times and have tried almost every vegetarian dish. I've enjoyed them all, especially the zalouk. I've also visited with a Moroccan friend, who says the food is authentic. The service is always excellent and personal. Every visit feels like being welcomed as a special guest. The food is great quality for the price, and the mint tea and baklava are delicious too. I'm always happy to come back.

Good food with even nicer service. This place feels very authentic and the man who owns it is very…read morekind and friendly. He chatted with us the whole time and recommended the mint tea to us which was delicious and well worth it. My first time really eating Moroccan food but the flavor combinations were good and the preserved lemon and olives used in the dishes were tasty. My favorite dishes here were the chicken tajin and the mint tea

A complete vibe! I…read morecame here with a coworker of mine the day before 4th of July for lunch and drinks, and I left full and happy. There is a parking garage around the corner of the restaurant so that makes things very convenient. The inside decor is gorgeous and is chic but also funky fresh. I got grilled octopus over a bed of bean salad that had pieces of pomegranate in it - 10/10. The savory taste of the octopus paired against the sweetness of the salad was really delicious. For desert I got the baklava option that comes with ice cream - INCREDIBLE. You have to order it if you come here.

The food is good with lots of options. I was just there this evening as I need a quick place to…read morework before an event. My Tito's and soda water, with a lime, was nearly $18. I double checked to make sure I was charge for two drinks or a double and it was confirmed the amount was correct. The bill included a $2 mixer, which again was soda water. Mind you this was on Wednesday at 6:45 PM. Just giving everyone a heads up so if you go. I definitely won't be going back.

I have been a long time fan/patron of MeJana b/c of the friendly, welcoming staff, beautiful…read moreambiance, and consistent delicious dishes. I especially appreciate the thoughtful presentation, tableware and glassware. One of my favorite go-tos for lunch is the Chicken Shawarma with salad. Light, healthy and tasty, presented on a board. Now that the weather is pleasant, try dining on the patio like I did today. Enjoy!

It's alright. I…read morereally like that there IS a Lebanese restaurant in this section of Arlington and they have a vegetarian menu. The dip sampler was small samples. We got the halloumi as well, which can't go wrong with cheese, honey, and dates. Service was good. Ambiance - there's outdoor and indoor seating and you can always find a seat. It's not loud and they have booths.

Stopped by ala on Friday afternoon, September 11, and discovered their All Day Happy Hour as a nice…read moreway to start the weekend. My cocktail of choice was the Khavyar, which featured gin, Portan cucumber, dill, and lemon. Refreshing, crisp, and a great start to the afternoon. For food, I tried the Hummus + Pita, Za'atar Pide, and Tawook Burger. I sat at the bar, where Isabel was gracious, welcoming, and attentive throughout my visit. There was a nice crowd, pleasant music, and a relaxed energy. I tried the Hummus + Pita, Za'atar Pide, and Tawook Burger. The standout for me was definitely the Za'atar Pide. Made with Palestinian za'atar, creamy feta, and labneh, it was flavorful, savory, creamy, and easily my favorite dish of the afternoon. I would order it again without hesitation. The Hummus + Pita was a great start, and the Tawook Burger with two breaded chicken breasts, cheese, onion, mesclun, tomato, and house-made sauce on brioche was hearty and satisfying. Good food. Pleasant atmosphere. Attentive service. And much love for that Za'atar Pide! I'll be back for it.

Was invited to try Ala through a fellow Yelper and grateful for the introduction because this place…read moredelivered-ish. The all day happy hour menu is the move and we took full advantage. The Batata Hara: fried potatoes with garlic were dangerously good. Overpowering with the garlic but in the absolute best way possible. The Karahab fried brussels sprouts and the Tawook chicken breast burger were both delicious and well executed. The only miss for me personally was the ribeye gyro but that's less about Ala and more about me finally confirming that gyros and I are just not meant to be. The food gets a solid 5 stars. The seating situation however deserves a conversation. Yelpers were directed to either the bar or outside with no other options offered. The weather cooperated and it wasn't a bad experience outdoors but when the hostess specifically stated that Yelpers sit at the bar or outside, that landed differently. The restaurant appeared beautiful from what I could see and assuming the inside was as lovely as it looked, that felt like a quiet form of segregation that the restaurant should probably revisit. Guests are guests regardless of how they found you. Our waiter was attentive and never forgot about us which is always appreciated. Overall a great experience with one note worth addressing. I'd return but hopefully at the main table next time.