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    River Club

    4.1 (111 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    River Club Photos

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    RIVER CLUB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Upscale
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - River Club

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    Beef carpaccio, short rib, tuna crudo, hummus, lemon pasta
    Jennifer V.

    The drinks were a bit slow and pricey, but the affogato is a dreaaaam and worth the price and wait. The beef carpaccio and hummus were the absolute stars of the show! The beef carpaccio is also a pretty killer deal for how large the serving was. The bed of mashed potatoes the short rib rests on should push you to get the dish. The tuna crudo was also very fresh and bright. A wonderful overall dining experience. The vibe is also super cool and everyone should go on a date there.

    Entrance
    Angela B.

    A girlfriend and I went to River Club for shareables and drinks. Come to find out that the restaurant is part of Restaurant Week and only that menu was available, which we weren't feeling at the time. The staff felt really bad about it. They were very sweet too. Rather than leaving immediately, we enjoyed a couple drinks before venturing elsewhere. We will definitely be back to try River Club's everyday menu.

    hh slider
    Camille J.

    great happy hour! good service and a super cute spot by the water in georgetown would definitely go back! good happy hour food too!!

    Latte
    Nichele W.

    After dining here for a birthday dinner I had to come back for brunch and again they exceeded all expectations. Everything was delicious. Our wonder waiter Daniel explained the brunch menu and the prefix options. We were sat in one of this other spaces because they had another private event in the larger dining room. Service was great and super quick. Nice way to spend a chilly March day. Will be back for their brunch again.

    Chocolate "cake" (Dont recommend)
    Aliyah W.

    This was the best restaurant I visited in the DMV. We got the branzino, shrimp entree, pasta limon, fattoush, carrots all were delicious, plenty of flavor. The pasta had a strong lemon flavor in the best way. The service was great. The restaurant had low light not too loud but a nice ambiance. My only issue was there was no sweet drink no good dessert. They had tokaij but I didn't like it. There are no flavored margaritas no flavored Mojito. Waitor said serious drinks only (not verbatim)

    Inside
    Olga G.

    I loved the ambiance, the vibe and the host service, I don't know if I'd come here for food. I stopped by for a night cap but the bar had a private event. I decided to take a table in the dining room. Wagyu Beef Carpaccio looked good on Yelp and was praised by other diners. In reality, I found it soaked in truffle oil, and was sliced too thick for a reputable restaurant. The portion was too small for $20 and I was also upcharged to $23. It's one of those cases where 3 bucks leaves bad taste in your mouth. I'd probably come back for a drink, but based on food and service - would not stay for dinner.

    Amuse bouche (shishito peppers).
    Fiona Z.

    3.5 stars. Walked in right after they opened on a weeknight and had no issues getting a table. I'd come back. Cute spot with a fun fusion idea. Service was nice. We tried the prix fixe chef's tasting menu ($65 a person) which came with a little amuse-bouche of battered shishito peppers (they were fine; nothing amazing). The truffle oil in the beef carpaccio was unnecessary and heavy-handed, but the tuna crudo was delicious. Plating was a bit chaotic. I went for the pasta limone, which was very lemony and rich. I only wish I'd had something else to break up the monotony of the dish because it became overwhelming after a while. I would definitely order it again, but only if I order some sides or bread just to break up the taste. The mahalabia tart dessert at the end was light and refreshing. The milk custard wasn't too sweet, although I'm not sure what part of the dessert was the "tart" bit. The basque cheesecake was very dense and rich.

    Cheesecake
    Janae W.

    I got to visit this place as part of a dinner club special. I've been wanting to go here for a while. The ambience of the restaurant is beautiful. I love the all pink restaurant and the bar area was all stocked. We got to try five different menu items two of which were experimental my favorites were the Ahi tuna ravioli and the Arancini ball. This restaurant is inspired by Lebanese, Spanish , and Italian culture. I think they do a really good job of blending these all together. All five dishes were honestly delicious. Also, all the servers were very nice and quick with suggestions. If you're looking for a nice after work vibe this is where you go. I would come back and try their brunch menu.

    Bill A.

    Dinner on a Tuesday night. No issues finding a table. This is a very well managed restaurant. Everything is clean, excellent decorations, place settings and even the bathrooms were nice (smelled great also). Amelia was our server and she did an excellent job. She explained the menu perfectly and really how it best enjoyed as shared dishes. Each of her recommendations were spot on. the papas bravas and smashed cucumber salad. The papas bravas were twice fried potatoes with a saffron aioli. The smashed cucumber salad was really good tossed with olive oil. Both super tasty. We went with the bbq carrots and seared rockfish to finish the meal. The BBQ potatoes were prepared nicely with a great char and natural sweetness of the carrot with molasses added with almonds and lemon made for a great flavor combination. The seared rockfish was cooked perfectly, nice and moist with touch of hummus, aioli, almonds and other spices made for a great treat. Service, food, ambiance all 5 star. Great night.

    What's left of the Smoked Lamb Belly Arancini and Charred Chicken
    Steven D.

    This place is over hyped. They have so much turnover on staff they can't keep it together. I've dined here multiple times and I'm happy they did away with the Fig Dessert. The Basque Cheesecake is interesting and I can see why people enjoy it. The staff need to be more knowledgeable about the restaurant too - how do you not know what the picture hanging in the middle of the restaurant is? How do you not know about the previous River Club? The bathrooms are a mess, there's food/plates in the hallway on the trip there too. Disappointing the more I type about it. The only saving grace of this place is literally the food. Get it together.

    Susie W.

    Come here for the decor if nothing else! Tucked away in the Washington Harbor, this new restaurant offers a fusion of Lebanese, Italian, and Spanish. Sounds weird, but it's down right! Floor to ceiling, the decor keeps the eye interested. A wild combination of patterns and colors that all goes well together. I'm not an insta girlie, but this place made me wanna have a photoshoot! Service was extremely friendly and accommodating. The restaurant got packed quite quickly, so expect to spend some time dining, but the food is worth the wait! We started with a jallab royale and a 1938 mai thai, which were both awesome. The mai thai came out in full force, with a tall, tall glass and all the fixin's. I was nervous the arak flavor would be too forward in the jallab royale, but it was very subtle and the drink was sweet and refreshing. The wagyu beef carpaccio was to die for. The truffle x parm combo packed a delicious punch. The pesto burrata was also wildly flavorful. We very much enjoyed the prawns al ajillo, and the polenta base was cooked to perfection. Couldn't leave without trying their famous pasta limone, which went extremely hard on the lemon zest but was still tasty and filling. We ended the night with a delicious affogato and a flavorless mahalabia tart. Overall, I'd love to come back. This restaurant is perfect for ambiance and would be fun for a group event. Prices are a bit steep, but that's to be expected on the waterfront. ID love to try more of their menu, or even enjoy a date night at the bar.

    Aly W.

    A girlfriend and I popped over here after having dinner at Nobu. You can walk pretty easily! I had their amazing cheesecake and a mocktail. Kept it simple as we were both heading back home early morning. This place is wildly cute and the seating is really really tight. Honestly, it's too tight on the bar side for most to be comfortable and I'm a pretty small person. Service was great thought and so was that cheesecake!

    Arancini, $8
    Calder S.

    I stopped by for happy hour and it was okay but not great. I really liked the ambiance of the space. The bar area was cozy, with soft colors and lighting, and it seemed trendy but also reminded me of the 1960s or 70s but in a good way. We sat at a hightop near the bar and had a waiter. I liked that he was brisk and prompt, but in a good way... except when he disappeared after we asked for the check; we had to get it from someone else. He also told me they didn't have Wifi despite a "River Guest" network, idk what was up with that. The food and drinks were decent. Happy hour is M-F 5-7 PM and includes $10 cocktails and wine, $6 beer, and food from $7 to $12. The website menu is accurate except for the food pricing (lower in person). I liked the Jallab Royale cocktail a lot, which didn't taste too much like anise despite the arak (a good thing). The negroni sbagliato and Spanish gin and tonic were also solid. The gin basil was good, with some savory notes from the celery salt, but the portion was too small -- the coupe glass was only about half full and much of that was foam. For food, we tried the arancini ($8, one large piece), croquettes ($9, three pieces), and labne / hummus dip duo ($9). They were all only okay. I wanted larger portions and stronger flavors. It was an okay happy hour spot, I might return if in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way.

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    River Club Reviews in Other Languages

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    Zaytinya

    Zaytinya

    4.2(6.3k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$

    This place is in a great corner location, the food was delicious, and the staff were friendly…read moreoverall. We had a reservation to make sure we got a table, and the restaurant was completely full when we arrived. The only downside was that after being seated outside, we felt a little forgotten for the first 30 minutes or so. No one came by with water or to check in, and it seemed like the staff may not have realized a new table had been seated until we flagged down the outside host. There were also swarm of flies hovering around the outdoor tables, which another table pointed out and then we started noticing too. Aside from that, the experience was good overall. The inside dining area definitely had a dressier vibe compared to the patio seating, and once we were helped, the food made up for the slow start.

    Placed a large order via Uber Eats since restaurant will not accept takeout orders directly…read more Restaurant does not allow any specifications when ordering through Uber Eats - for example, one person wanted one ingredient held from her salad. Uber Eats lacked description for Zaytinya's food items (such as the ounces of the drinks) and some items (such as the horta salata) were not as pictured. There were no extra napkins in our bag. The Coke came in bottles but we didn't receive any bottle openers. To top it off, we had three food items missing. I called the restaurant again to let them know about the missing food - they were unapologetic and didn't know what the proper protocol was to fix the situation. The service was subpar and the servings were small. Won't be back. The next day we had food delivered from another local restaurant where both the food and service were outstanding, unlike at Zaytinya. UPDATE: After writing the Yelp review, a general manager at Zaytinya emailed me the following: "..."The restaurant normally offers takeout, but the location was actually closed that day for a private event. However, since the order had come through, we tried to honor it. The mujadara and 2 orders of rice were missing because we hadn't prepped those items, as they were not offered for the buyout..." The restaurant knew on Friday what I was ordering for Tuesday. They had plenty of time to reach out to me and tell me they would be closed and wouldn't be able to fulfill the order. Instead, they knowingly sent out an order without all of the food for our group and charged as if we received everything. This shows a lack of professionalism and is disrespectful.

    Photos
    Zaytinya
    Zaytinya
    Zaytinya - Spreads & Bread

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    Spreads & Bread

    ilili DC - pita pillows

    ilili DC

    4.4(727 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$$

    Dining with my friend on Lebanese cuisine was a delightful culinary adventure filled with surprises…read moreand delights. Moussaka: A classic Lebanese dish. Eggplant and hummus were simmered until soft and flavorful, with a subtle smoky aroma. The addition of mint leaves enhanced the flavor. Bone Marrow: Beef tartare with bone marrow and pomegranate seeds--how interesting! The first two provided a rich, fatty texture and intense aroma, while the latter burst in your mouth occasionally, juicy, tangy, and refreshing. Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts with grapes, walnuts, fig jam, and mint yogurt--a whimsical yet magical combination... The Brussels sprouts offered a fresh, vegetal aroma and a slightly roasted aroma; the walnuts provided a nutty richness and crunch; the fruit provided a fresh sweet and sour taste and plenty of juice; and the yogurt acted as a binder between the flavors while adding a touch of minty coolness. Duck Shawarma: My friend and I thought: ...Peking duck? The skin was soft, the meat tender, not gamey, with a subtle smoky flavor; the fig and lemon sauce was sweet and refreshing; the small pita pillows held the meat securely, better than the lettuce what might have been too cold. Lamb Stuffed Grape Leaves: Black rice was wrapped in grape leaves and simmered with minced lamb. The rice absorbed the fragrance of the grape leaves, similar to lotus leaves (my friend and I thought: lamb version of sticky rice chicken糯米雞...?). The lamb, however, was served separately at the bottom of the pot and didn't absorb much flavor; overall, it was intensely sour. In short, this dish was a bit oddly designed, and it was the only one we didn't finish because the sourness was unbearable. Pita Bread: The bread was thin yet chewy, with a rough, slightly powdery surface, making it substantial and satisfying. I especially loved the "everything wrapped in a big pancake" style! This restaurant is located on the wharf near the Potomac River and boasts beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows. The spring sunlight streamed in softly.

    Really enjoyed lunch at ilili last week. The service was honestly one of the best parts of the…read moreexperience. 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.

    Photos
    ilili DC - Stylish dining room with greenery.

    Stylish dining room with greenery.

    ilili DC - Duck Shawarma

    Duck Shawarma

    ilili DC - Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni.

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    Olive You Margarita and Keraz Carciofo Negroni.

    Maydan - Roasted carrots

    Maydan

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$$$

    Maydan had been on our list of places to try for a while. It can be tough to get a reservation. We…read morewere able to add ourselves on the OpenTable waitlist and receive alerts if a table opened up. Luckily we were able to get a table outside at 6PM on a Friday night for four people. The tawle tasting menu is about $100 per person and it was a great way to try the menu. We were able to pick from a list of spreads, vegetables and meats and at the end we were also able to choose two desserts based on our party size. You start with Mouneh - pickled vegetables, Honey Soaked Dates, and the most delicious Halloumi. You then select 3 spreads - Muhammara, Walnut Casik, and Beet Borani with warm pita bread. For entree we ordered Chicken Shish Taouk, Ribeye, and cauliflower. They had a nice cocktail list so we tried a few cocktails. The espresso martini includes gelato, and there was a green cocktail that was very refreshing. The service was really good. Please be aware that they do add a fee on the bill and guests may not notice this and may tip an additional amount which we did, but the service was outstanding. We were able to walk inside and see the open fire grill where they make the pitas on and go to the bathroom. We really enjoyed sitting in the alley on a nice evening.

    A popular spot near Adams Morgan. The restaurant features Middle Eastern grilled food. In fact,…read morethere were several fire grills in the center of the first floor of the restaurant (it has two floors), and you can see the staff constantly grilling the meats, fish, vegetables and pita. This, together with the dark vibe, made me feel as if I were eating with ppl. from B.C. in a cave. Very interesting. I like that. For food, I got the Carrot Havuc, Omani Shrimp and Halloumi. But first I was served with some freshly made whole wheat pita. They were soft, chewy and earthy. The Carrot Havuc was basically a carrot+garlic puree. Very silky, refreshingly sweet, and a bit sour. The sourness may come from the garlic and lemon. Paired well with the pita and meats. The Omani shrimp came with 5 pieces, each shrimp was ~1oz so it was not very filling. The shrimp were meaty, fresh, juicy, though I wish it could be less salty, even if I already asked for less salt. The shrimp was said to be marinated with dried lime and tamarind but I could only taste the flavor of dried lime. The Halloumi cheese was brushed wild flower honey and topped with Egyptian dukkah, then baked until the outside was golden brown. It was salty and sweet, and the (tons of) sesame seeds added some fragrance to it. However, the peanut was too roughly chopped so that they fell off from the cheese when I slice it, and thus difficult to eat with the cheese. Service was not worth the 20% mandatory tip. For example, when I asked about the sourness of the Carrot Havuc, he did not know why and said he would "taste it and let me know where the sourness came from". Unfortunately, he did not tell me until I asked again when doing the check (I doubt if he tasted it in the first place). Neither did he ask me about the other dishes. Overall, the dishes were great but not impressive, and was mostly heavily flavored. The service could be improved.

    Photos
    Maydan - Wood oven front and center

    Wood oven front and center

    Maydan - Shrimp

    Shrimp

    Maydan - Spiced chocolate mousse

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    Spiced chocolate mousse

    Villa Yara - Yara's Tabbouleh

    Villa Yara

    4.2(276 reviews)
    0.3 miGeorgetown

    Villa Yara is my family's go to spot when we visit DC. It genuinely never disappoints!! Every…read moresingle thing from the fattoush to the dips to the lam chops is absolutely incredible. The service is lovely and food comes out quickly. I love that everything is made freshly in the restaurant. As someone that is Middle Eastern, this place is incredible and authentic

    Villa Yara is an experience, not just a restaurant…read more From the moment you step inside, the ambiance transports you--elegant, intimate, and thoughtfully designed with a balance of modern sophistication and cultural warmth. Every detail feels intentional, creating a space that's perfect for a romantic evening, a celebration, or a refined night out. The food is exceptional. Each dish is beautifully plated and layered with flavor, showcasing high-quality ingredients and a deep respect for culinary craftsmanship. You can taste the care and creativity in every bite, nothing is ordinary, everything is elevated. The cocktail program is just as impressive. Drinks are well-balanced, inventive, and executed with precision, making the bar a destination of its own. Pair that with the music and overall energy, and the vibe is effortlessly upscale without feeling forced. What truly sets Villa Yara apart is the service. The staff is knowledgeable, polished, and genuinely attentive. They anticipate needs without hovering and make every guest feel welcomed and valued. Villa Yara has mastered the art of hospitality--luxury, flavor, and atmosphere coming together seamlessly. It's the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit. Highly recommended.

    Photos
    Villa Yara - Bar area

    Bar area

    Villa Yara - Complimentary bread and olives

    Complimentary bread and olives

    Villa Yara - Outside Patio

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    Outside Patio

    Albi - Brussel sprouts

    Albi

    4.6(467 reviews)
    3.8 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.

    KenScale: 8.5/10 Visit: March 2026…read more My wife Jun and I have been to Albi multiple times already and on every visit we end up ordering the exceptional lamb kebabs for our final savory dish. Earlier this year, I saw that the restaurant started offering a large duck rice dish on the menu and, knowing how much Jun loves duck, tried to see if I can book a table. We had a reservation in January but we had to cancel that due to a last-minute trip to New York, and really struggled to find an open seating on a reasonable hour (we just had no appetite for a dinner past 9 p.m.) until recently last month. As we opened up the menu, we were very sad to learn that the duck was no longer on the menu (our server couldn't give a definitive time on when the dish will be back), but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm for another outstanding meal at Albi. Since my last review of the restaurant was in 2023, I figured a re-review was in order, especially given that this visit was our 10th total. When it comes to Middle Eastern spreads, it's hard to beat what Albi offers along with a giant pita bread. At this point, Jun had tried the mushroom hummus with confit egg yolk multiple times, and yet she couldn't again stop marveling how addictively delicious the hummus was with alluringly smoky flavor of mushroom. One new spread that we saw for the first time and decided to order was msabaha with embered firefly squid and white peas covered in tahini; not surprisingly, it was another standout dish even if squid is not an ingredient one would ordinarily see in these spreads. Another item on the menu that we tried for the first time (and really liked) was malfouf, a wrap of cabbages stuffed with smoked beef cheek and red shatta condiment. By now, we have seen multiple variations of the lamb kebabs at Albi and every time we walked out of the restaurant happily stuffed. For the current season, we were greeted with loin and smoked belly shish accompanied by vegetables of charred turnips and brassicas. The lamb's texture as usual was quite outstanding, and the charred vegetables (as well as a side dish of Fattoush salad with orchard fruits and smoked feta) also offered a wonderful complement to the meat. If someone asks me to list the most iconic dishes in DC, I won't hesitate to include the lamb kebabs from Albi. During our trip to Jordan in February, we fell in love with a popular dessert called knafeh (made with pastry dough layered with cheese and soaked in syrup); we never had a chance to try the same from Albi until this visit, and Jun remarked that the delightful knafeh was just like how she remembered from a restaurant in Petra, except the pomegranate sorbet that was placed in the middle. It seems like getting a reservation at Albi is becoming more and more difficult over time. The reservation window opens on the first day of each month and once past that first day, it is really challenging to find a seating during early and prime-time dinner windows, especially for the main dining room. This visit was the first time we had to be seated at the bar as we were slightly late to the reservation party, but the bar seating actually wasn't bad at all, as we chatted with the friendly bartenders from time to time while enjoying the food. As always, the beverage list at Albi is outstanding, featuring many Middle East-based cocktails and wines. As we increasingly find ourselves in our culinary journey together these days visiting our old favorites more often rather than checking out new places all the time, Jun and I are very thankful that Albi is in DC. It still is firing on all cylinders even after being around for several years in the DC dining scene, and deserves to be one of the best restaurants in the city.

    Photos
    Albi
    Albi - Rosewater meringue + walnuts in honey syrup

    Rosewater meringue + walnuts in honey syrup

    Albi - Mocktail

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    Mocktail

    Agora DC - Cauliflower**

    Agora DC

    4.0(1.8k reviews)
    1.3 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.

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    Agora DC - Inside/Bar

    Inside/Bar

    Agora DC - Weekend Bottomless Brunch

    Weekend Bottomless Brunch

    Agora DC - Mocktail çiçek

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    Mocktail çiçek

    Mejana - Mixed grill

    Mejana

    4.1(928 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    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!

    9 years later and I am back- I have seen this place very busy on weeknights so I decided, it's time…read moreto go back. They pride themselves as a healthier spot and the food definitely reflected that. We started off with drinks (they only do happy hour at the bar) and got the Mojito and the mediteranean martini. Both were good but the purple mojito was definitely the star of the show. For appetizers we got the "fried" cauliflower and the hot appetizer platter. The cauliflower definitely felt more baked then fried and the portion was quite fair. The hot appetizer platter comes with 2 cheese rolls, 2 falafels, and two kibehs. I will say, for $17, I would love perhaps 3-4 of each item instead of just 2 each. The kibeh were super tasty and so were the cheese rolls, but the falafel were a bit dry. For our mains we got the lamb chops and the steak kabob - both were fantastic. Simple flavors but really well done on both ends, with both cuts of meat cooked to order. I will say, I would love a little bit more side veggies- especially for the $45 dollar lamb chops but I assume they expect you to order more sides like we did. Quick service, Arlington prices, a bit cold inside on a cold day. Will definitely be back to try more!

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    Mejana - Patio

    Patio

    Mejana
    Mejana - Bar

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    Bar

    ala - GOLDEN CAULIFLOWER

    ala

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    1.0 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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    ala
    ala - Adana Kebab

    Adana Kebab

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    River Club - lebanese - Updated May 2026

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