Silver Skewers is another one of those hidden gems in Southern Maryland. This Greek/Mediterranean…read morerestaurant offers an incredibly fresh menu. I've had the good fortune of dining here on a handful of occasions, and each time I've been delighted by my selection. The freshness is unmatched. The flavors are unrivaled. They even offer their own version of Persian tea... SO DAMN REFRESHING!!! The dining experience is clean and cozy. I won't be long-winded here. Honestly, if a place is truly great, the review should be short and sweet. I also had the opportunity to meet the owner and the co-manager (her daughter). They are both incredibly hospitable, kind, and welcoming. Take a look at these photos, manage your hunger pains, then make your way there, and tell them Grant sent you. Recommendation Level: By all means, go enjoy a great meal.

The restaurant is not located in a place we go often but very easy parking. The server (and maybe…read morecook?) was absolutely fantastic. The tables have white tablecloths and very nice dining chairs except the chairs do not have much padding. The napkins are paper towels. The FOOD is absolutely delicious. The rice is great and the meat is very flavorful. With that said, the prices on their menu are higher than what I had seen initially online so it does seem like prices have gone up quite a bit recently. For a dinner for 2 getting the house kabob (least expensive option but genuinely very good) and 2 teas, the total with tax was $55 + tip.

My best friend has been wanting to bring me here because she came a while back and said she had an…read moreexperience that was out of this world. I am Lebanese, and she thought I would enjoy the atmosphere and cuisine given that Ammoora is a modern Syrian restaurant. And she was right! Although it's listed as a modern Syrian restaurant, you will find products (such as some of their alcohols/liquors) representative of much of the Middle East. And as I'm sure you know, many dishes are similar or the same! I cannot say enough great things about Ammoora. I arrived 30 minutes before the rest of my group since I had a long commute, but I had a great time sitting at the bar enjoying some Arabic coffee. I also had the "Ashta Affair" which is a silky smooth cream based alcoholic beverage with just a touch of spices, and was such a great take on the very same Ashta I make at home. The bar tenders were such a delight to talk to. They made me feel like I was right at home. My party arrived and we were then taken to our table, where I felt I was transported back to the Middle East, as the dining room is decorated floor to ceiling in colors, patterns, furniture and linens. I was met with a sense of nostalgia that only added to this amazing experience. Then came the food. You can go to a thousand Middle Eastern restaurants, and each will have their own take on a dish, and that's what I loved about Ammoora. Their dishes were still very authentic, and had its own slight spin on it, making it even more incredible. We had a sampling appetizer that consisted of hummus, baba ghanoush, olives, and various other dips, followed by fettoush, the lamb, and the semki harra. I came with two non-middle eastern friends (one who had been there before) and both of them said that the food was out of this world, and I couldn't agree more. There is something for everyone here. You could come here for their extensive and unique drink menu alone and have a great time. And if you don't care to drink, then the dining menu will absolutely transport you and your tastebuds to a place of nostalgia, whether you've been to the Middle East before or not. I cannot wait to bring my whole family for unique and excellent dining experience. Everyone from the owner to the wait staff were extremely hospitable, and you can tell that their priority is in making sure your experience is unforgettable.

Drinks and food were so good! We enjoyed Ammoora so much the first time that we came back for a…read moresecond visit earlier this yeaon January 30th to celebrate my husband's birthday with our family. As someone who eats plant-based, I really appreciated that they offer a separate vegan dinner menu--and not just a few side dishes thrown together. I could actually enjoy a full, thoughtfully prepared meal! My dinner: Muhamara + Baba Ghanouj to share Harissa Roasted Cauliflower + Saffron Jeweled Rice Pistachio Ghazal el Banat for dessert. Everything was delicious. The service was exceptional again, which says a lot about the consistency of this restaurant. And although it was absolutely freezing outside that evening, Ammoora was warm, cozy, elegant, and beautiful inside. Another wonderful experience. We'll definitely be back!

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Everything was made fresh so it…read morewas about 15-minute wait but that's ok, I took the opportunity to look around the market. I picked up a few things. We got a medium Falafel sandwich and a Shawarma sandwich. Wow. Delicious. I actually may have liked the Falafel just slightly better but both were excellent. I also got an extra garlic sauce on the side... just love. Until next time.

I feel like I found a favorite near us. It's not one of those places where I would travel to, but…read moreif you're relatively close to Urbana, it's worth a stop. It's a small mart that specializes in middle eastern Mediterranean cuisine and ingredients. They place does not have seating inside, but plenty of seating outside. So plan on either take out or picnicking. They make the food right as you order so things are fresh. The part I really liked about this place was that the sauces were not overly salted - to increase shelf life - and the amount of oil/butter was not overly used to try to mask the ingredients. It's more on the "let the ingredients speak for itself" which I really dig. In the end, you don't feel heavy after the meal and you feel like you had a hearty and healthy meal. My favorite was the lamb shawarma. He toasts the outside pita and it gives it a nice crunch. The lamb is fresher than other places and he doesn't over season it to hide the lamb smell. Other places - if you notice - tends to use cumin a lot of mask the lamb smell. Not here though. The falafel sandwich was okay. It was colder than the lamb shawarma. But the falafels were made right there in front of you. I got the sujuk sandwich too (which is a type of sausage). It was a breakfast burrito basically. Our order took 20 mins to make and he makes it right when you order. So be prepared to stay there and peruse around. Some ingredients there were interesting. The one thing that caught my eye was a bottle of pomegranate molasses. He sells it close to 50% what Harris Teeter would charge and he has various brands of pomegranate molasses. I use pomegranate molasses to make grenadine for cocktails. Also has orange blossom and rose water (also both used for cocktails) I like this place and the guy is nice and sweet.

Incredible hospitality and fantastic food. We couldn't resist trying many things from the menu. Our…read moreserver was the owner, and it was so clear he was passionate about the food! He gave detailed explanation about the dishes that made it taste even better. And the flavors were on point--from the refreshing sourness of the shafuta to the crisp fatoosh salad to the veggie marboka (so good slathered with the green chilis!) to the lamb fasha with fresh hot bread. Flavor and texture combos you won't find elsewhere! And of course we tried the spiced Yemeni coffee. When I mentioned it was my sister's birthday, he brought out a delicious, complementary piece of semolina cake with a honey syrup and two cups of shai So good, and even better with a little shai poured on top! From a cost perspective, you get large portions for a fair price, so be adventurous. Come for the food, stay for the hospitality. This is not an in-and-out-spot: it's a time to linger and enjoy. This place has to be next on your list of places to try.

DELICIOUS! Amazing! Try it! First time having Yemenise…read morefood. It's similar to what you'd call Mediterranean cuisine with slightly different and delicious spices. Service a great! Faris took time to tell us about the menu and recommended an amazing grill combo! We had grilled lamb chops, chicken,koftah, rice, side salad, fresh pita, and salsas. Two of us couldn't finish it all! The flavors were amazing! I really enjoyed the lentil soup we had with our hummus starter. The soup came out the perfect temperature. Not too hot not too cold legit just right! I had the shai which was delicious! Black tea with spices. And Faris was kind enough to give us each a sample of the shai adani , black tea with condensed milk and spices. I'll for sure order a cup next time. Think chai latte flavor! The restaurant itself is very nice inside and there's an outdoor patio as well! We will for sure be back!

Wow, just like you would expect from the team from Albi, the dish preparations at La Shukran are on…read morepoint. The flavor combinations were subtly complex and engaging. We enjoyed every dish we ordered. The dining room is relatively small and quite noisy. The rooftop dining area is casual and airy. Note: the rooftop seating only offers drinks and the small bites from the full menu. Larger entree options are not available on the rooftop. We will definitely be back to dine here again.

Service A+ Ambiance A…read moreDrinks A Food...this is where it gets interesting. They suggest family style and 2-3 items per person which we thought was excessive bc each dish averages about $20. We ordered 5 for 2 people and could with done 4. They are still all pretty small for the price. labneh with crab had 0 flavor should have skipped it Hummus with mushroom was good but need all the items on the plate at once to get full effect. The bread that comes with the dips....omg the bread. It was probably the best part of the dips to be honest. The falafal was very good, would def repeat. An order is 3 but we added a 4th one The potato frites thing was omg probably the best item we had. Crunchy outside, soft fluffy inside but the green sauce was *chefs kiss* amazing I almost licked it from the bowl. Last item was the lamb fried rice...it was good a lot of flavors with the lamb, corn and apricots. Would I order again honestly not sure. I'd prob get a coupe cocktails the falafal and potato things and leave overly satisfied. We went with the cheese dessert bc he described it similar to a cheesecake which cheesecake it was NOT. It was ok. My dinner date loved it tho.

Called to make a carry out order on a Friday evening and it was ready in like 10 minutes! Fast,…read morehelpful, and super delicious- the combo over rice is hearty, well seasoned, and the meat is so scrumptious! It's marinated and flavorful. A good portion for $15, will absolutely be back!

Zaytoun Halal Grill is a great place to visit for something quick. If you are familiar with…read moreNYC-Style Halal Plates, then this wouldn't be any surprise to you. The parking outside is a bit interesting but if you are coming in to pick up, it's not too bad but I can see this being packed at night. Parking can be limited for sure. Ranging from Rice Platters, Kabab Platters, Sandwiches, Wings, Tenders, Gyros, Salads, and Dessert, this place a lot for what it's offering. The staff were friendly and recommended me to try the Kabob platter after mentioning seeing that in the Menu. I ended up getting the Combo over Rice as it's my go to. Gyro Meat, Chicken, Cucumbers, Lettuce, over a bed of rice drizzled with White and Red Sauce. It is my go to meal and you can't go wrong with that. Since it was cold, the meal kept me warm and I was able to enjoy every bite as it was also filling. I could come back for more! This place is also open late, another reason why you should check out Zaytoun Halal Grill. It's great!

The Cedars of Lebanon is an easily-overlooked cafe right on the corner of the Old Greenbelt…read moreShopping Center which is a lovely hidden gem. I spent every summer in this town, growing up, and I never discovered this restaurant until a precious friend brought me here a few years ago. It's a dated, though efficient, and charming, cafe with fresh dishes you might love. Firstly, if you plan on having lunch here on a Monday, make sure you are able to finish by 2:45 since they close by 3pm. All other days, they are open past 8pm. We started with the sweet potato soup despite the fact that the reviews for the lentil soup here are the highest. Yes! If it's featured: get it! The turmeric and coconut milk make this soup delightful. The herbs made it so fresh and there was just the right amount of sweetness and gentle heat. Parsley really adds to this recipe and I'm not usually a fan of this herb. The pitas are soft, thin and light. Love them. We needed to order more. I've never had such paper-thin pitas. Yum! I love love love the hummus, here. It is nothing short of divine. The flavors are fabulous and deeply complex. You can really taste the tahini. The olive oil is mild and delicious. I exclaimed, "the hummus was the best ever." And then 5 minutes later, I read a review by Yelper James H. where he says it's the best ever and, "... this hummus at Cedars of Lebanon might have ruined all other hummus for me forever." While I've had similar swooning feelings over the hummus at Lebanese Taverna in Tyson's Corner, this hummus is at least a top contender if not the metro DC area's hummus winner. The cucumber mint yogurt salad is nice, cold and refreshing. You can really taste the mint. I would order this yogurt salad with every meal. The falafel pizza is unusual and fresh. Straight away-- you can taste the tahini, parsley and couscous. The dough is grainy and natural. And there are radishes on this falafel pizza: not overpowering. For the $9 or so pricepoint, this dish is a true labor of love. To prep all of these vegetables, even with food processors, must take time. How novel of a dish! Put the yogurt salad on this pizza. You will thank me. And I only did it because I was watching someone else slather it on. There were at least 12 desserts on the menu. Meow. If we weren't so full of pita, hummus, tahini and fresh veggies, we certainly would love to taste a few of these. As well as the Turkish coffee, with an authentic ceramic and metal carafé presentation.

Pretty easy, breezy no-frills restaurant…read more We stopped by Cedars of Lebanon, because it was one of the few places that had outdoor seating and was not full. The restaurant has a small outdoor dining area with three four-seater tables, which was find for our two dogs. The experience overall was pretty low key, which necessarily is not a bad thing. Although there is waiter/waitress service, you will have to order your food at the cashier's counter. Actually, maybe that's only a thing if you are dining outside. The menu has a nice mix of Middle Eastern dishes. I went with a beef (or maybe it was lamb) kabob plate. The portions were fine and my meal was pretty good. It was not out of this world amazing, but it got the job done. I thought that the prices were pretty good for the area and the amount of food received. Although the food was fine, I do not think that I would go out of my way (e.g., driving more than 30 minutes) to dine here. Just be aware that the restaurant does not serve alcoholic beverages.

Delicious food. Charming atmosphere. Wonderful, attentive staff. Mona's is a jewel!…read more Don't miss the baklava

Mona's Lebanese Café is a unique dining experience in every way. We felt as if we had been invited…read moreto the home of a Lebanese friend whose mother welcomed us by serving the most beautiful home-cooked food, and in a setting that took us back in time. The flavors, presentation, and service were unmatched. We enjoyed our experience thoroughly and can't wait to go back.

The flavors REALLY pop in the BABA GANNOUJ, TABOULEH, and GRAPE LEAVES rolls (all vegan) that my…read moredaughter and I enjoyed on our road-trip this evening. We took our food to-go, but the interior of Layla's is comfy and inviting for dine in as we saw. Very easy to order vegan items as the hostess is happy to answer questions about ingredients and knows the vegan options. YES: Vegan friendly

I had the lamb, it was delicious. The customer service was excellent. The waiter was very…read moreattentive. I lo because it's very intimate. This is a good date spot. Of course, I had to top it off with Xpress.

Came for the Sheeryakh, but had such delicious, authentic Afghan food! I'd give 4.5 stars for some…read moreconstructive modifications to make in the future related to service, but overall amazing food! I left with a full belly and a happy heart. Got a combo of chicken kabob and shami kabob along with a side of their borani banjan/eggplant dish. The eggplant was honestly one of my favorite things- it's a must get in my opinion. Homey dish with incredible flavors! Their naan is fresh and pairs well with it. The chicken was good, but I've had better honestly. The shami was a little disappointing as I expected more flavor and it was slightly dry, but good. Their rice was so tasty and I loved the sweetness coming from the carrots an raisins. Of course, the sheeryakh was great- quite a big portion for one person, but I loved the texture. It tastes very similar to the Indian/South Asian/Pakistani ice cream, "Kulfi." CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK: Service needs improvement. The whole time I was there I had to keep looking for waiters to make eye contact with to ask for menu, water, paying, etc. It took about 10 min or more for me to have to call a busy waiter over just to look at the menu- no one came over on their own. Things just took time for a Saturday night- plus they were hosting an event on top of this. Needless to say, I've never had service like this, but the vibe and food made me be not as harsh. Despite the service, this place is a must try for authentic Afghan cuisine. Can't wait to try more of their menu (and the borani banjan again) in the future!

Unfortunately, this restaurant didn't live up to my expectations…read more When we arrived the dining room felt very humid and sticky which made it uncomfortable to sit and eat. We were also a party of five but were only given one menu to share so not very convenient. I ordered the Chicken & Shami Kabob and it came with a choice of white or brown rice, one side, and naan. The meal looked nothing like the photo on the restaurant's website. The portion was overwhelmingly rice with very little meat. None of the garnishes shown in the picture were included on the rice. For $24 I expected a much better presentation and a more balanced portion. Oh and the meat was kind of dry. Parts of our order were missing, some dishes that came out were incorrect. The experience felt disorganized and the food didn't justify the price.