This place was very expensive, the service was slow and the waiter serving us had a terrible…read moreattitude, and the food is not good or good lebanese food. It was not busy when we came in, so it should not have taken nearly an hour for out food to come out, and when it did it was severely cooled down. The only positive thing I really have to say about this place is that the atmosphere was nice and the furniture was pretty. Also, haha, they were playing latin music. Uhmmm its a lebanese restaurant whats up with that?

I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Bacchus of Lebanon. From the moment we walked in, the…read moreatmosphere felt warm and welcoming, with that perfect balance of elegance and comfort that makes you want to sit, relax, and enjoy the experience. The food was truly outstanding. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. The ingredients tasted authentic and vibrant, and the presentation was beautiful without feeling overdone. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in what they serve. If you enjoy Lebanese cuisine, this place absolutely delivers. The service was just as impressive. The staff were attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the food and the restaurant. They were happy to make recommendations and made the entire experience feel personal rather than rushed. What stood out most was how everything came together, great food, great service, and a welcoming environment. It's the kind of restaurant where you leave already thinking about when you can come back. If you're looking for authentic Lebanese food with incredible flavor and hospitality, Bacchus of Lebanon is definitely worth the visit. I will absolutely be returning!

This has easily become one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in the dmv. The food is…read moreincredible. This might be the best chicken kabob I've ever had in my life. The vibes are beautiful!! So gorgeous and relaxing and the staff are so genuinely warm and sweet. They've created such a warm, welcoming, lovely atmosphere and I will definitely be back and I'll be bringing people with me next time! 10/10. Thank you so much Ala team

I've been here multiple times, but this was my first time coming for happy hour and my first time…read moresitting in the bar area, which I believe is pretty new. The space is gorgeous inside, and while the menu is a bit limited, I really enjoyed the dishes and drinks I tried. The only slight downside was that I got some pushback from staff about standing near the bar while waiting for a seat. They were nice about it, but it was still a little annoying since it is technically a bar area. That said, I understand it's a tighter space and the restaurant is mostly set up for seated dining. Nonetheless, they offer all day happy hour, which is really hard to beat and definitely makes it worth coming back despite the small critique.

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.

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

After a 5pm movie at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, we stepped into…read moreLebanese Taverna for a casual dinner before heading back to our hotel. I was hungry and ordered with my eyes, so I ordered too much to share and we ended up packing a bunch home. (That pita bread lasted us for a few days!) If zaatar is on the menu, I have to order it. We also got hummus (so creamy and good). The pita bread was so soft and tasty. He ordered a falafel salad and I got the chicken shawarma. Note: there are also a bunch of sauces at a station near the counter where you pick up your orders - the harissa and garlic sauce (white, fluffy sauce) are really good! *chef's kiss* We sat inside and ate. There was a lot of seating available and the windows offer a airy feel when you're in there. The place was clean and well taken care of. The staff behind the counter were friendly... In sum, it's a good casual spot to grab a bite of tasty Lebanese food for a reasonable price! FYI - if you're into labneh, they have bottles in the cold cases!

I stopped by Lebanese Taverna to grab a quick dinner. Before I get into the my food experience,…read moreI'll start with my experience with the service. Upon arriving to the restaurant, I saw a father and his toddler-aged child sitting at a table and a person waiting for their orders. The father and his child were dining in and the other person was getting his food to go. As part of the protocol, I went to the counter to place an order to dine in and grabbed a table to wait for my food. While waiting for my food, the lady at the counter brought the food to the guy waiting for his to go order and later to the guy waiting with his daughter. However, when my dinner was ready, she gestured to me to pick up my food at the counter. At first, I thought nothing of it. While I was eating, a group of 3-4 people arrived to dine in. Again, the lady behind the counter brought their orders to their table (she had to make a couple of trips to their table). I hate to ask this (and perhaps, I'm reading too much into this), but why was I the only person who had to go to the counter to get my order even though I was dining-in? In general, it's not a huge deal for me to pick up my food from the counter. However, it does become a slight issue (at least for me), when I'm the only person who had to do it. During my visit, there were four dine in orders (including mine), and the lady walked three out of four orders to the folks dining...with me being the exception. Actually, I get it would be more than four total orders because the lady had to make multiple trips for the table of 3-4 diners. Added to this situation, I was the only Black person dining in the restaurant. Perhaps, it was an oversight from the lady at the counter, but I saw this as a slight microaggression. Now that I've got that off of my chest, I can get into the food. The restaurant offers a menu that consists of various flatbreads, salads, combo platters, sandwiches, and rice bowls. For my dining pleasure, I ordered a shawarma combo, which comes with two sides. For my two sides, I went with a side salad and fries. The combo with tip and a can soda was about $19. Overall, I thought the food was fine and worth the value; however, the beef and chicken were a little too salty for my tastes. I will say that the portion sizes are pretty generous because my dish was jammed packed with chicken and beef. The shawarma definitely was large enough for two meals. The restaurant has a mini fixings bar (only for dine-in customers) that includes yougurt, tahini, and a couple of other things that I cannot remember. Overall, the restaurant was pretty clean and a nice a nice layout conducive to dining in or taking your food to go.

I went to an event at Ammoora in Baltimore and was honestly so impressed. The Mediterranean Syrian…read moremenu was amazing. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and really well made. The space itself was beautiful and created such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It felt like the perfect setting for the event. What stood out most was the service. We were about 60 people and everything ran so smoothly. All the food came out at the same time, everyone got their meals without any delays, and every single dish was delicious. There were zero issues the entire night, which is rare for a group that size. I would definitely recommend Ammoora for events or even just a dinner. They really did everything right.

Amazing food, beautiful space, and excellent service! I highly recommend visiting Ammoora if you…read moreare in the Baltimore area or even making the drive if you are in NOVA/DC!

Levanese Taberna ha sido nuestro lugar favorito. Aquí es donde celebramos nuestros tiempos…read morememorables. La comida es exquisita, el servicio fuera de este mundo. Cada vez es como la primera vez, conocemos a todos y cada uno de los miembros de la empresa. Haydee es la persona adecuada para atendernos, con su simpatía y su increíble servicio al cliente. Hemos ido a los otros libaneses taberna en la zona, pero ninguno de ellos lo sobrepasa Queremos agradecerles a todos por alegrar no solo nuestros estómagos, sino también nuestras almas con su atencion. Soy de Cartagena, Colombia, y allí aprendi a amar la comida de Oriente Medio, porque tenemos grandes amigos libaneses y cada vez que voy me siento como en casa. Solo me que por decir que es el mejor de todos los Lebanese restaurantes.en el area.

I want to start out by saying I placed the order at the wrong Lebanese taverns and they were great…read moreat replicating my order and getting it sorted out. The cashier looked at what I had ordered and offered an alternative to the zataar flatbread since they didn't have it at the location. My daughter loved the alternative flatbread and wouldn't share a bite with me. It was that good. And the lentils soup was delicious. Even enough for a second day. Definitely coming back here. And placing the order at the correct restaurant this time.

Overall: great prices, delicious food, okay service, casual ambiance, single stall inclusive…read morerestrooms, changing table, kids menus, and high chairs available They have a great happy hour and different daily specials. There is so much to love about the menu. Everything we ate was delicious, but overall we are just wildly impressed with the prices. We rarely eat that much quality food for the prices you pay here. I love how many vegetables they have on the menu and the meat was cooked perfectly.

It was one of the hottest days of summer, and my partner and I were in the Takoma Park…read moreneighbourhood on the hunt for somewhere to grab Happy Hour (HH)! We strolled the beautiful and quaint neighbourhood for a little, until we found Olive Lounge!! After taking a glance at their HH menu -- our decision was easy, the food and drink options were just what we were looking forward to!! I can happily report that the food was DELICIOUS & truly represented what you would want from a Middle Eastern restaurant. I was ecstatic to have their grilled halloumi & their beef and chicken kabob with kidreh and tzatziki was 10/10!!! The aromatic seasonings and flavours with the kabobs were divine, and perfectly complimented the kidreh (spiced rice, garlic, chick peas). My husband had the Takoma Burger which was equally fantastic - and only $10 with a side of fries on Tuesday!! We will definitely be back to explore their HH and dinner menus more!!! This restaurant is definitely worth a visit (or several)!!

Wonderful, cozy establishment serving delicious food consistently. Before or after dining it is…read moreconvenient to take a stroll around Greenbelt Lake or pop into the other shops in the community center.

Yet another gem in this locale. Parking is fair to middling, the interior is nice with several…read moretables. I also noticed an area where there were sweets available for purchase. I purchased my food to go and it was available upon my arrival. The staff were kind upon my arrival. The chicken was cooked nicely, the rice was fluffy; although, just plain white rice. I loved the red sauce, veggies, and garlic sauce and only wish there were more. The pita was thin, and was alright. I'd like to try more.

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.