On a Sunday evening just before 8pm, a friend brought me to King of Koshary to introduce me the…read moreeponymous Egyptian dish. At that time, the establishment only had a one other table occupied so seating occurred immediately. As I perused the menu, my focus landed on the tajins / stews. The ox tail, okra lamb, and cow feet tajins all looked delectable. I settled on the cow feet tajin ($20), served with rice. That arrived after about 10 minutes, piping hot in an earthenware bowl. Just looking at the glisten and the viscosity while spooning the stew, I could tell that the cow hocks had simmered long enough to melt and release collagen into the stew. The tendons came off the bone like the proverbial hot knife through butter. The stock proved rich in texture and flavor without overwhelming the palate. Whatever additional seasonings went into it enhanced the clear stock's savoriness without imparting a different direction to the palate. This epitomized the ostensible simplicity of a dish belying sheer time and effort to perfect a dish. As an aside, this sort of laborious effort resembled long simmered Cantonese stews that I grew up with. Hilariously enough, the only other occupied table was also an Arabic guy bringing his Asian friend along. Speaking of Arabic friends, my friend ordered the king koshary ($12) and had me try a bite. The texture contrasts of the varied grains, the crispy onions, and the savory tomato-based koshary sauce, seemed irresitible. I understood why it became a signature national dish.

Two Haiku Review:…read more Came here to try the Best koshary in NoVA. Wow, it was good. So Many other good Egyptian dishes too. The Owner is so nice!

A great spot for Egyptian food! Could really just sit down and order with their QR code, or have…read morethe staff take your order. I got the Egyptian-style liver and Koshary with added kefta. I was surprised at the portion sizes for both of them, actually. Food was flavourful and extremely filling for me; it sufficed for two meals for me. The place was cute with the seating and decor. Plenty of parking around here too. I'd definitely come again whenever I'm craving Egyptian!

Loved the chicken kabob here & the season was amazing. Service was friendly! I thought at first…read morethis would be an upscale place but it's more of a cafe vibe where you can select your seat and order online. Parking is abundant !

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.

Craving for some Middle Eastern eats, we decided to check out Albi…read more We started off with: +the Crispy Kibbeh - kibbeh is one of my favorite snacks, so I was excited to find these on the menu +Jericho Dates - blistered, and prepared with ras el hanout and brown butter +the Mushrooms Lightly Smoked on hummus - with confit egg yolk and black garlic; served with wood-fired potato pita +and, the Sfeeha - wood-fired lamb meat pies, topped with toum and lemon juice For our mains, we ordered: +the BBQ'D Lamb Kebabs - marinated in dill yogurt +the Maqluba - softshell crab upside down on rice with ramps and crab fat yogurt; served with crab dagga gazawiya smashed tomatillo, dill seed, and chilis; note that this dish runs out Service was friendly, and the space is cozy and intimate; loved the seating setup and the coal fire oven! We were thinking of trying out the Sofra, but we decided to order a la carte; maybe next time! Metered and garage parking in the area. +shareables +friendly staff +metered and garage parking available

The food at Mama Ayesha's was delicious, and packed full of flavor! The service was also…read moregreat--very attentive and kind. The restaurant itself is a bit dated, both the patio and dining room. It looks like the decor hasn't been refreshed in a few decades. Mouzat, 5/5, delicious, tender lamb with seasoned rice Maklouba, 5/5, tender chicken that fell off the bone with delicious rice and vegetables Pomtini, 2/5, somehow tasted like Hi-C or some kind of chemical citrus

This is my new favorite restaurant. It's tasty. Clean. The staff is excellent. The food is…read moreincredible. My wife loved it too. So, yes I'm looking forward to going back there.

Maydan was one of the most anticipated dining experiences for my partner and I on our DC trip and…read moreit was even better than I expected. Gorgeous restaurant centered around a giant hearth, the heart and soul of the space where much of the food is cooked. We went with two friends and opted to do ala carte, and ordered a bunch of items to share. - Muhammara & hummus spreads were both phenomenal - creamy, delicious goodness served with piping hot, generous portions of freshly made pita bread. - Halloumi with a nutty honey glaze - perfection - Sweet Potato - soft and just melts in your mouth - Mushrooms - super unique preparation, definitely worth a try. Very delicious. We also ordered every kabob on the menu (shrimp, scallop, chicken and lamb). The shrimp and chicken kabobs were excellent - charred to perfection and bursting with flavor. Paired with zhoug sauce, I was in heaven. Do not miss these! Scallop and lamb kabobs were just okay. Incredible service, beautiful ambiance, and a memorable meal that will stay with me. Grateful to have experienced Maydan!

Finally! I've been trying to make it to this restaurant, and my gfs took me for my birthday…read more The best experience. I can't quite tell you that you'd have the same experience each time you go because it all depends. I believe it also depends where you're sitting how impactful it will be on your experience as well. Whatever you do come back each time and try something else because I will Love Amb

While visiting friends in Washington, DC, they took us to Sababa, and wow--what an incredible…read moreexperience. I can absolutely understand why it earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. Sababa serves authentic Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine with amazing ingredients and bold, fresh flavors. The menu is designed for sharing, making it easy to try a little bit of everything. We started with several small plates, and they were all fantastic. The Israeli salad was crisp, fresh, and bursting with flavor. The roasted carrot salad was a table favorite, and the fried Brussels sprouts with cinnamon yogurt completely stole the show for me. The combination of flavors was unexpected but perfectly balanced. For my entrée, I had the lamb kebabs, and they were cooked to perfection. The steak kebab was another favorite at our table, and two of our friends shared the Jerusalem Mixed Grill, which was also excellent--especially the beef kofta. The portions are on the smaller side, but after sharing several appetizers, they felt just right. If you're extra hungry, the Mixed Grill could easily be enjoyed by one person. The service was phenomenal from beginning to end. We were warmly welcomed, checked on throughout the meal, and genuinely felt taken care of. One thing I especially appreciated was how clearly the menu labels vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. As someone who is gluten intolerant, I always notice and appreciate restaurants that make dining easier for everyone. This was easily one of my favorite meals during our trip. Every dish was thoughtful, flavorful, and beautifully executed. I would absolutely come back and highly recommend it to anyone visiting DC.

THIS IS A MUST WHEN IN D.C.!!! Food, service & ambiance…read moreAs soon as you walk in, you are immediately greeted by a kind host who Sababa doesn't just serve food! As a vegetarian. It delivers a masterclass in balance, pairing rich, savory options with bright, acidic quick-pickled vegetables and so many options. From the moment the warm pita hits the table alongside a vibrant array of dips (eggplant, labne with garlic, hummus, etc), you know you are in for an authentic culinary journey. The hummus is impossibly smooth, swirling with high-quality olive oil. Our server, Kristin, was sooo pleasant! Fast and efficient.

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!

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

I felt the host really tried to talk up the fact that they one best something.... I can't even…read moreremember.... Long explanation on the menu. It was like someone was trying to convince me that the place was great. Beet salad was incredibly underwhelming, and even looked unappetizing upon arrival. Nice musical playlist though, and overall space. I wouldn't go back to dine though...

If you're looking for a dining experience that feels like a warm hug from someone's grandmother,…read morelook no further. This Mediterranean treasure sitting along the Alexandria waterfront is everything a great restaurant should be. The concept here is simple and beautiful: recipes passed down and made completely from scratch. Don't skip the traditional hummus. I was skeptical about the halloumi goulash because of the fruit but somehow... it works! Both entrees: salmon and lamb chops were delicious. Allie was both the perfect server and drink (ask for her signature punch). They also create award-winning martinis; ask for one!

We've had ~5 meals at Imperfecto, but last night was our first time trying the chef's table. It did…read morenot disappoint! I'll hit the highlights first, as there are too many to detail at length: the delightful amuse bouche (corn tart!), the cocktails that may be the best in DC, the completely original cold vongole and stroganoff, wagyu that melts in your mouth, and service at par with Pineapple and Pearls and Inn at Little Washington. The team is clearly pushing for two stars, which is delightful, so I wanted to write with a few notes that may help them along. 1) As other reviewers have noted, the experience is tarnished slightly by its length and pacing. Particularly annoying was the wait until 720 for a late party. You've gotta figure out how to catch them up so that the rest of us aren't waiting 20 min for bread. And with a 7p start, it's not ok for us to be getting home at 11:15. I love all the major dishes and would be sad to see any go, but you've gotta have either tighter pacing or larger portions and fewer plates through the mains. 2) Gotta start on a better note. The sourdough bread was cold and tough. If I were a Michelin reviewer, that starting note alone would keep you out of two stars because it just begged the question, "did anyone try this?" 3) Relatedly, the desserts are impenetrably academic. The pumpkin and selva negra both taste like a good idea that someone then overthought and kept editing/adding until it just didn't taste good. I get the push for stardom, but in both cases, we would've all preferred a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. Stop overthinking it. None of us finished either of them. Everyone's favorite was the simple sorbet. Why harp on these minor quibbles given how mindblowingly awesome the overall experience was? Well, they are pushing for two stars, and the meal costs $400 per person all in. At this level, the bar is continuous improvement toward excellence. I really hope they get there!

We ate at Imperfecto for Restaurant Week 2024…read more Vibes: formal, cool-toned interior. Friendly but rushed severs. Food: Aladdin burrata - Dark horse. This ended up being my favorite when I thought it would the most boring dish. The crispiness of the fried lentils paired with creamy burrata and hummus was divine and popped in texture. Sea bream - Fresh and delicious. The included tostada is very crispy so it's a multi-sensory experience to taste the food and hear the crunch in your ears. Lamb Terrine - Lamb was fine, tasted like pulled lamb in a block. The flavor was mostly in the sauce and that flavor was "salty". Tagliatelle - Also fine, the truffle doesn't over power. Didn't quite catch any summer corn notes. Beef Wellington with Empanada - Hard pass. Saw another table order it and was curious. Not as good as it looks and way too expensive for what it was.

I love mix appetizer platter Tabouleh, fresh falafel, humus , eggplant salad , dolma and you can…read moreadd more appitizer from the menu clean, friendly and not expensive

Another visit and another amazing food and service. Forget about other places, this is the place to…read moremake you satisfied and eat yummy food.