I went for brunch. Got the Kushari and the hummus. Both were underwhelming, everything was under-seasoned. It looked beautiful and that was it. Not worth the cost. The ambiance was okay; however, I don't even remember how it was since I was struck by how bland the food was. Will not revisit. read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great neighborhood spot. Delicious food. Friendly service. Nice vibes. Try the upstairs outdoor deck on a nice day. read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was very eager to try Sababa as I really enjoy the other Knightsbridge restaurants. I used to come Here frequently when it was Ardeo + Bardeo. Unfortunately it just missed the mark. Food was just fine - nothing exciting. My poached egg on the Benedict was a bit undercooked (runny white) and the latke was too thick and lacked flavor. The cauliflower was just so so, and not crispy at all. My friend got the kebab and said it was rubbery and tasted like old meat. The mimosas at least were tasty and good deal, but we had to flag our server to ask for refills multiple times. Service was friendly but could have been a bit more attentive. She was great at describing the menu and making recommendations but then it fell off after that. It also just felt dead - pretty empty for Sunday brunch in a very residential neighborhood (should have been more people). With so many other incredible middle eastern places in town, this is one to skip especially at the price point. read more

Our group of 6 had an excellent meal. Our server Semone S was extremely helpful in in helping us decide much to order. We started with an order of Salatim (5 appetizers), charred eggplant (it had a delicious sauce with pomegranate and pistachio) and 3 Israeli salads. For main dishes, we split the Jerusalem mixed grill and 2 orders of loin lamb kabobs. We decided to also split all 3 desserts. We had a great experience for all parts of our meal and would definitely recommend trying it. read more

We found this place through the Michelin Guide and we we're not disappointed . Located in the Cleveland park area of DC, Sababa is a beautiful spot with delicious food and drinks. The restaurant is dimly lit which creates a nice, cozy environment. The restaurant looked pretty busy so we were glad we made a reservation in advnac We tried the cauliflower, halloumi, and the dip platter. All were delicious and the halloumi was truly the standout for me. It comes with this sweet sauce that compliments the flavor of the halloumi well. The dip platter was also great with lots of variety. The wait staff were warm and welcoming. Our server helped us order the right number of dishes for our table. One interesting thing about the service I noticed was that we basically had a different person come to our table each time to bring out our food or refill our waters. The waitstaff was also almost patrolling the restaurant. This is great when we needed something but the service didn't really feel "effortless". They knew we were celebrating a birthday so they let us pick a dessert item off the menu and brought it out with candles! Overall, a wonderful experience. Definitely check out Sababa for a special occasion! We're hoping to come back for brunch. read more

Sababa - Halloumi - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Absolutely a must-try restaurant when visiting DC. The plating of all the food looked just as good as the taste. Our server was also super knowledgeable, had the greatest (most convincing) recommendations, and was super attentive to our table the entire time. I also highly recommend sitting upstairs in their terrace if you want an outdoorsy feel without the weather aspect. 10/10 would recommend and go again if I ever find myself visiting DC. read more

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Came here for dinner with friends and had a great time. Very nice and the food was super yummy. I ordered the hummus appetizer and it was delicious. Because I am gluten free the waiter brought me some veggies instead of the pita bread. I then had the beef kabob that was served on a bed of rice. It was great. Nothing super fancy, but it very tasty with just the right amount of spices so that it was not overwhelming. The also had wine from Israel which I had never had. It was better than expected. This is a great option for middle eastern food in Cleveland Park. read more

finally got a bite of israel in washington, dc at @sababadc located in cleveland park here's a rundown of what we ordered: hummus tahina, charred eggplant, roasted halloumi, grilled broccoli and salmon kebabs with pomegranate-labne marinade and hawaij-spiced rice, roasted chilli and tomato highly recommend giving sababa a visit! read more

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An exceptional restaurant in the Cleveland Park neighborhood serving Israeli food. Highly advisable to try the various healthy appetizers to share. However, since we were not as hungry we just ordered the hummus of the day. It consisted of shiitake mushrooms and harissa. It's a must. We had the grilled salmon, chicken thighs, steak, and lamb loin on a bed of rice. Flavors were more subtle when compared to traditional Middke eastern fare. Still worth a try though. Their cocktails and mocktails were carefully crafted to match the taste profile. Service was good. read more

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Oh my, a special Passover meal at a great middle eastern restauant was just what the Rabbi ordered! The Connecticut avenue corridor sports some terrific international cuisine and Sababba definitely fits the bill. While there for the Passover menu, we had to start with the Salatim. As other reviewers have pointed out this is a terrific way to start a meal with friends. My fave of the five salads/dips was the Brussel Sprout Baba Gnoush; very tasty. While this arrives with just two freshly baked pita's they are more than happy to bring more upon request; you'll definitely need that as there is ample dips on the Salatim! We also wanted to try the Pomegranate glazed chicken livers. Definitely a unique dish and again, plenty to share. The gravy was a bit sweet for our respect for traditional chicken livers, but it was still very tasty. From the special menu we had to jump on the Matzoh Ball soup; two humongous matzah and multiple spoons made one soup more than shareable. The treats of the meal were the entrees, a fantastic Salmon Chraimeh, baked and brought forth in a tomato sauce adorned with green olives was divine; the braised beef brisket was falling off the bone sitting aside tasty carrots and next to a sweet potato tzimme. They have a large al fresco space streetside, which thankfully was covered as it did spritz and sprinkle during our meal. Great wait staff, patient to explain items on the menu and their preparation. My advice to you is you don't need to wait for a special holiday to dine at Sababba; every trip will feel like one! read more

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The roasted carrot salad was a nice mix of sweet, savory, and herbal, with just a touch of heat on the finish. The generously portioned lamb shank with couscous and veggies was damn near transcendant, flavorful, layered, tender, no knife needed. Oscar and Sara were perfect as server and host respectfully, attentive, friendly, and informative, yet never intrusive, seeming to only appear when I had a need or a question, I'm convinced they possess psychic powers, intuition can only explain so much. The strawberry mahalabia, a custard adorned with said fruit and syrup with a hint of rose made a perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Kudos to all involved. read more

A very beautiful restaurant with a good vibe and friendly service. The food was delicious, I ordered a popular dish. It tastes pretty light, and looks like a piece of art. Had a great evening and dinner with my friend here. read more

Sababa - Pomegranate-Labne Marinated Salmon Kebab & pomegranate juicy - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Excellent Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine in a lovely setting and ambience. The lamb shank is my favorite but you really can't go wrong with most of the choices. I recommend the hummus sampler platter as well. read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great food and even better service. While our entire meal was vegetarian, there are meat and seafood options. We ordered a large plate (Vegetable Bastilla) and a selection of salads and dips, served with two pita (the Salatim). Both are pictured. We shared both dishes and found the portions to be more than sufficient. I was surprised to find such a gem in a stretch of business that I regularly pass. I'll be stopping by as it's conveniently located just a block from the Cleveland Park Metro stop on the Red line. AmEx is accepted here. read more

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Went here for a family members birthday dinner, and let me tell you it was absolutely phenomenal. We were a large party, and tried most of the starters. Among them, the cauliflower and the hummus were fantastic. The drinks were great and creative, and the kebabs were delicious as well. The service and staff were excellent and super friendly/accommodating. Great evening, 10/10 would recommend! read more

Hummus was outstanding, pita was fresh and deliciously authentic. I would go again there for their bagel sandwich. Bagel literally melts in your mouth. We were there for brunch and everything was delicious! Kept ordering and eating for 2 hours. I was surprised this place was not packed!!! read more

Sababa - Shug margarita! - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Was able to try a few dishes and found the flavors very unique and fresh! Really enjoyed the salatim plate (~$16) as it allowed us to sample a lot of the dips they offered. Service was alright but a little bit rushed. read more

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Exceeded all expectations... and then some. We went to Sababa to celebrate my mom's birthday. When the waiter informed us that dishes were served family style, we did not hold back from ordering multiple appetizers and entrees. Everyone enjoyed something different: my dad loved the tender steak in the Jerusalem mixed grill, my sister and brother both raved about the lamb shank that came with a bulgur shiitake salad, and my mom was so pleased with the flavors of the half roasted chicken. As a vegetarian, I loved the various dips and salads in the salatim (tip: get extra pita--it is delicious!), and the roasted halumi with dates was perfection. We had no room for dessert, but ordered them anyway! We had the Date caramel tart (my favorite: the savoriness of the tahini balances the sweetness of the dates) , strawberry mahalabia, and konafi cake. And it isn't just the food that sets Sababa apart. The hospitality was unparalleled: all of the wait staff are moving continually, filling water, whisking away plates, and bringing out one dish after another as soon as it is ready. Our waiter went above and beyond for us. When my mom asked him about the seasoning for the rice, our waiter actually brought the chef out to talk with us! What a special moment for my mom to get to meet the creator of our meal. And then when he learned it was my mom's birthday, our waiter gave my mom a dessert on the house. And not only that, the owner of the restaurant stopped by our table to talk as well. We felt so welcome, and two hours flew by as we dined. The decor was elegant and we had no problems hearing each other, even when the dining room was full. Amazing food. Amazing hospitality. Amazing experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

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This restaurant is outstanding! The food was delicious, the atmosphere beautiful, and the customer service was fantastic! I will be back soon with how impressed I was with this restaurant. There are so many amazing menu items to continue trying! read more

Walked in when they opened for dinner at 5pm and there was no availability for seating. We didn't make a reservation for a Saturday so that's understandable. (But it's always nice when restaurants keep some tables for walk-ins to keep the spontaneity of dining out, but that wasn't the case here.) The restaurant felt classy, dim-lit, and modern. The host told us a table would be ready in 45min or the bar is first come first serve. (The restaurant was basically empty the whole time we ate, and by the time we left after 45min, it was still the same. So I wasn't sure why we weren't able to get seated.) We sat at the bar and it was elbow-to-elbow uncomfortable. Bar seating is understandably tight, but this was impossible to even get into your seat without fully lifting out your chair. Our bartender however was a breath of fresh air and was very friendly. Our food came out quickly and was delicious. Our main course felt like it needed a sauce of some kind because it was a bit dry. However, the appetizer and dessert were on point. Knocking a star for the sardine packed bar seating arrangement and dry main course. Tip: Make a reservation before coming here. read more

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GREAT dinner spot when in Cleveland Park! Super beautiful/intimate inside and even better food and service. Chef Ryan Moore is awesome. We sampled several items on the menu and got to try his famous hummus, which apparently requires a 3-day process. I highly recommend starting with the Salatim flight! read more

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Great ambiance - came on Saturday night and ate inside. The slightly dim lighting, the candles, the tables, all a great start. Service was great - server explained all of the specials and gave us her favorite dishes. Small plates to share. Started with the Salatim - 5 different offerings - my favorite was the spicy jelly/peanut butter one, another that had a hint of BBQ. The pita was warmed perfectly, make sure to order extra pita to finish everything. We also got the traditional hummus, but the Salatim was the star and should be good enough to share. Next we had the charred eggplant with a pistachio vinaigrette which was just so good, use any extra pita to soak up the sauce. Fried cauliflower with yogurt sauce was really good. Lamb and beef kebab was the perfect amount and all of the flavor soaked into the rice. This was a great experience, will definitely be back read more

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Modern Israeli restaurant that reminds me of some of the best spots in Philly that I love to visit but I'm glad there is something closer. I really liked the salatim starter and my favorites were the garlic labne, honey harissa and the hummus was delicious. The charred eggplant small plate was also great and I really liked their mixed grill which comes with marinated lamb, steak and chicken. Service was great and had a great time here. read more

One of the best brunches I've had in DC! We started off with the creamy hummus with pita. Then came the Halloumi cheese which had an excellent char and flavor profile. Things were going great. Next was the steak kebabs - absolutely juicy and tender pieces. Wow, I thought it couldn't get better than this... but it did!! The Lamb Benedict arrived in all its glory. Luckily, I ordered it on a potato latke which tasted like a super crispy hash brown. Combined with the lamb and yolky eggs, I was in ecstasy. I was ready to throw in the towel. Instant fan of Sababa. I finished with Mahalabia Milk custard, something sweet to top it all off. 5 star brunch at Sababa *drops mic* read more

Super flavorful meal. The whole fish in grape leaves was fantastic. Attentive and professional service (in marked contrast to almost every other restaurant I have been to in last six months). Will definitely return. read more

Took a break from visiting the Smithsonian zoo, service was prompt and food was amazing. Definitely try the hummus and Israeli salad. The only issue was the poached egg rice entree, was not very seasoned and the amount of food for the price was very small. Other than that highly recommend! read more

This place is so quaint! We ordered from the small plates section since we were not too hungry. The roasted halloumi w/ dates, honey and charred lemon was solid. The halloumi was salty and date and honey was sweet. It was a sweet and salty balance. We also ordered the Salatim w/ two pitas and five dips/ veggies. It was a medley of flavors of this restaurant. Thanks you for a good time! read more

I'm only leaving 1 star because of the ambiance of the restaurant. Besides that, this was an absolutely brutal date night for my wife and I. Every dish (except for the sea bass) was cooked as if they had been doused in oil. It was so bad I literally had to leave the restaurant and grab Tums from the nearby CVS to prevent our GE reflux from ending up all over the dining table. I also don't understand why the chef team decided to include Indian green chutney with some of the dishes. It's an Israeli restaurant. Don't add Indian condiments to an Israeli dish. They don't mix. Additionally, the salmon my pregnant wife ordered was partially raw and it got the point that I wondered if they had a first time chef cooking all of our dishes. Skip this restaurant and wait for a proper Israeli restaurant to open in the district. read more

From the ambiance to the za'atar, 5 stars. It's no wonder this restaurant received Michelin's Bib Gourmand 2 years in a row. On this cold day, we were lucky that DC had just lifted the ban on indoor seating. We were planning on sitting in the heated outdoor area but the host had called me a few hours before to confirm my reservation and give me the option. When we arrived, there seemed to be some confusion with the people in front of us. They were not sure whether to go to Sababa (left) or Bindaas (right) which are attached at the bar but are different restaurants. One Israeli and one Indian. The hostess was stuck with assisting them so we stood awkwardly waiting. Make sure you know which one you're going to. Once that was over, the host happily greeted us and took us inside the beautifully decorated restaurant. We were the only ones sitting inside, I picked an early reservation. She sat us down where we were almost instantly greeted by our extremely attentive server. She filled our waters, explained the menu, gave us the hummus of the day and let us look over the menu a bit. She came back shortly to see if we were ready to order drinks and apps. We weren't, so she kindly suggested some things that were popular. We went with her recommendations and were not disappointed. I also asked for so harissa on the side with the entree, we like spicy! For appetizer, my friends and I shared the Salatim plate. We were big fans of the tahina and the labne but not the muhammara, it was too sweet for us.There were also a beet salad and a fennel salad which added a nice crunch. The pita that was served with the dips was incredible! It was warm, fluffy, whole grain, and seasoned with za'atar. I could've just eaten that all day if I didn't have an entire entree coming. My friends both ordered the lamb shank which smelled AMAZING as they were being brought out to the table. Large shanks of lamb served over fluffy, spiced couscous, shaved fennel, and tomatoes. One of my friends picked up the bone, held it vertically on the plate and the meat just slid off the bone. Naturally, I needed to take a bite. As expected, I barely needed to chew. The lamb just melted and the couscous was so fluffy, it was like eating a cloud. The crunch of the fennel was a good contrast to those softer textures though. My dish finally came, it was gorgeous! Mediterranean Sea-bass roasted with lemon and spices in grape leaves and served with Israeli salad, a green chutney, and harissa. The fish was fork tender: each bite was succulent and flavorful. The Israeli salad gave the dish the perfect textural balance. It was fresh and crisp. Although I was the last to receive my food, I was the fish to finish. It was THAT good. It was filling but also healthier alternative to the decadent lamb. I would recommend both dishes though. Last, I had to try the mahalabia. A delicate custard topped with mild strawberry-rose syrup, strawberries, and pistachios. The flavors paired wonderfully together. It wasn't too sweet or too tart. It was a perfect palate cleanser after the delicious meal we just had. I would highly recommend if you are a fan of delicate desserts. This was our first time trying Israeli food and we can now say, we are obsessed! I wish I had another stomach so I could try everything on the menu! Guess we have to take another trip over there soon! read more

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The food was so good. Although the cucumber salad contained tomatoes and onions, (which I hate) they made them taste so good. Their chicken, steak, fish, and beef were also really good, and super flavorful and perfectly cooked. I also loved the service and the staff were so friendly! The atmosphere was also really nice and it wasn't loud at all. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the area. read more

Wow the dips here are so good! Our waiter was so kind and gave us veggies with our dips ( no extra charge) since they only came with pita and my husband is allergic. We shared the Jerusalem mixed grill platter and it had a good amount of meats and veggies and rice. I definitely recommend sharing that and then getting a little side dish to share. read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Probably the best middle eastern restaurants in DMV area! The hummus tahini is a must try; it's very creamy and smooth. The pita bread is also very good and buttery, which I like. We had Jerusalem grill, which basically all sorts of kebabs over rice. The portion is somewhat small for two that we ordered another portion of lamb and beef kofta. Highly recommend read more

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Went to Sababa for the first time last night and was greeted warmly by the host and one of the restaurant managers. Our server Semone could not have been more welcoming and helpful as first time diners. He gave us descriptive recommendations and we were pleased with all of the dishes we ordered. Would definitely recommend going to this restaurant for the ambience and the amazing food! read more

Sababa - Jerusalem mixed grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We were really looking forward to trying this place. Unfortunately we had a bad experience. First, the waiter was constantly interrupting our conversation to give unnecessary information about the food we were eating. It felt like a hard sell. We three had each ordered kebabs, one salmon, one steak and one chicken. Only the steak and salmon arrived, and since they were already not hot, we were forced to eat our meals while the person who had ordered chicken sat with nothing, besides repeated reassurances that his dish was coming any minute...which it didn't. When I spoke to the waiter about the delay, we were told the chef's concept was for food to be shared and brought to table as soon as it was ready. (This sharing idea was news to us; no one had said a word about it, there's nothing about it on the menu, and I had told the restaurant I was a pescatarian, so could hardly be expected to share steak or chicken.) If this is indeed a sharing concept restaurant, then why were we each asked, when we ordered, how we wanted our food cooked, and why, when the food was brought, did the server ask whose was the steak, etc. ? Neither of the first two kebabs was hot, so the concept of bringing food as it's ready is also, sadly, total BS. I could have forgiven everything had there been an apology for the poor service... but instead management treated us to an aggressive defense of their so-called concept, first by the waiter and then by the manager. Any half decent restaurant would have apologized and comped the delayed entree. They did ultimately do that, but only after a lot of unpleasant discussion, which left a bad taste. Really, one of the worst places I've ever eaten in my life. And I don't say that lightly. read more

Great service and delicious food are the hallmark of this restaurant. For appetizers the sautéed Halloumi cheese with dates is a must-try, and the cauliflower is also great. In terms of mains, you can't go wrong with the rich, meaty lamb shank. The lamb Kebab or mixed grill are other good choices. As for drinks, get the Cradle of Civilization. This bourbon and sourgum concoction is balanced out citrus. Architecturally this spot is joined at the hip with neighboring Bindaas. You can see into that restaurant across the bar. read more

Highly recommend this place! The atmosphere and staff were lovely and the food was AMAZING! We had the chicken thigh kebabs, the chicken livers, Israeli salad, and roasted halloumi. I even tried the orange wine, which I loved (it's not sweet btw). Will definitely be back! read more

Sababa - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Excellent food. Delightful and helpful service. Very nice space, with great sound absorbing features.

Some of the best Israeli food I had in DC. When we arrived the waiter was friendly letting us know that many of the dishes are tapas style and recommended sharing dishes as well as recommending his favorites. My friends and I started with the hummus and pita while we decided on what else to order. We order dishes individually instead of all at once so we could get a sense of how many dishes we wanted. My favorite dish we ordered was the charred eggplant or fried cauliflower. There were so many flavors and textures that the dish got better with each bite. We also ordered the roasted halumi, salmon kabob, and Israeli salad. We ended the night sharing the Konafi cake which had which was the perfect end to the night. read more

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This review is for the Winter 2022 Restaurant Week menu. Some friends and I came Friday night for an early dinner reservation. Half of us ordered the salmon/chicken and the other half got the lamb shank option. From the phenomenal service and recommendations from Stefon to our delicious meals, I would recommend this to any friend or enemy. Every single course was delicious! We started with the salatim and hummus, which is normally the 3 dips but due to our larger dinner party size the chef included the additional 2 dip/salads (sweet & sour carrots and baba ganoush). My favorite was the tumeric/tahini/honey harissa dip, as it had the best combo of salty, sweet and spicy. I only wish the pita to dip ratio was more even! (Then again, this really filled me up). The Israeli salad was fresh and light with a hint of tartness from the kumquat, while the heavier fried cauliflower paired nicely with it. For our courses, I had the split the salmon and chicken thigh options between myself and a friend. Both were exteremly tender and juicy. The salmon had a pickled onion topping it that helped cut the flavor profile, and the chicken had shishito peppers and harissa sauce to heat things up. My other friends that got the lamb shanks reported back that the meat was very tender and delicious as well. The rice was buttery and flavorful. Finally, the dessert, Konafi cake, had a light cheesy taste that is, as I like to say, not too sweet. I do wish the filo on top was a little crunchier, but am unsure if that is how it's traditionally made. Overall, a great RW experience! If you have time to visit before it's over (or just order these dishes after too!), take this as a sign to go with haste! One note - expect and be patient with a little longer wait time of dishes during RW as they will be busier. Service was pretty fast when we first arrived, but as the restaurant filled up it was slightly slower. I will definitely be back! Don't forget to try one of their cocktails, which I can no longer remember but had the carrot in it (something with Halva?). read more

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I once found this place on DoorDash in October and was impressed to have an Israeli place in the area that looks so appetizing that we had no idea existed. We ordered the Salmon with Pomegranate-Labne Marinade, Carrot & Herb Falafel, Israeli Salad, and Hummus Tahina. We were so impressed we looked forward to trying more stuff from here, perhaps in person when it became safer. Several months later for Father's Day, myself having completed a successful cancer surgery and my fiancé, my father, and I fully vaccinated we came here for brunch. We were extremely impressed. The servers were very friendly and the place was very accessible with my walker I had that day due to our trip afterwards to the zoo next door. They do have outdoor seating, but with the heat and our plans to be out in it for the next few hours, we chose to eat inside. We had the Hummus Tahini, Pita and Zaatar, Roasted Halumi, Lamb Benedict on Latkes, and two Smoked Trout & Muhammura Jerusalem Bagel Sandwiches. With both my father and I having been to Jerusalem a few times, I was surprised we had no idea that Jerusalem bagels are more oval and not round. To drink my father chose the bottomless mimosas, and my fiancé and I shared two local beers from Northern Virginia. The deserts were also very delicious and we shared the 3 they had on special. With this place only open a couple years, I think it should be up there on the top places in the area and perhaps the country. It definitely beats Ema, a highly rated Israeli place we went to in Chicago. I wonder how any other comparable place in America could be better, especially Zahav in Philly that we hope to try. I definitely recommend you try this place and make a reservation if you have a trip planned for the zoo or just happen to be in the area. And if you are still not ready to dine in person, I certainly recommend you try delivery via DoorDash or any other platform it is available. read more

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