Service was great. DJ was doing his thing. I went on a Monday & the vibes were good. Not crowded,…read morechill crowd. Drinks were good. I like the remolding they did inside. More open and inviting now. Lamb chop entree was good. Broccoli was cooked to perfection along with the lamb. Mash was good as well.

Now I don't know if it was because we got here soon as they opened...but it's a no for me. Met up…read morewith some friends on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm and it was empty. They were playing some great music...and wings were fire but the drinks were trash. I first ordered a lemon drop and when I tell you it was like some bottom shelf vodka and some Minute Maid lemonade added to it. Horrible! Then on top of that they put all the drinks in a 6oz clear plastic cup...Smdh Even served me red wine in the same plastic cup with a straw ridiculous! Only reason I gave them 2-stars the lemon pepper wings and fries were fresh and hot! Very good...but the drinks and service with an already 18% gratuity added to the check horrible. Not sure I will be back

I treated my friend to brunch after seeing all the hype on TikTok, Yelp, and Instagram, and it…read moreabsolutely lived up to it! This was easily one of the most entertaining brunches I've experienced in the DMV, while still maintaining an upscale vibe. From the singer taking special requests during brunch to the live entertainment afterward, drummers, dancers, and a saxophonist turning things into a full brunch party...we were thoroughly entertained from start to finish. What really stood out, though, was that the food matched the energy. At some places, you get great entertainment but mediocre food - not here. Everything was beautifully presented, served at the perfect temperature, and genuinely delicious. My friend was so impressed with her birthday celebration that she thanked me for days afterward. The service was impeccable, the space is stunning with plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, and despite how busy it was, it somehow still felt warm and welcoming. If you're in the mood to get dressed up, enjoy an upscale brunch, celebrate a special occasion, or impress someone on a date, this is definitely the place. I'm already looking forward to my next brunch party here!

Gorgeous restaurant! I felt very underdressed but I loved the vibrant atmosphere…read more STARTER: Prosciutto - very large portion, had plenty to take home, thinly sliced and addictive ENTREE: Hanger Steak Au Poivre $56 10 oz black angus hanger steak, pomme frites & green beans, green peppercorn sauce *I really enjoyed the steak but I didn't finish it because I polished off 2 trays of bread by myself...andddd I don't regret it. COCKTAILS: Smoked Old Fashioned $18 BB Bourbon, BB House Bitters, Syrup, Smoke *I loved the smokiness of the drink and it went great with the bread because I had no self control... Our service was consistent throughout dinner and they packed up all of our leftovers very nicely and set them aside on the counter while we chatted and they didn't rush us with the bill like a lot of establishments do. **Would you believe it that the server packed me a to go box of bread? I am dead. I could not stop laughing when I saw that. I will definitely be back! ;)

I was in Washington D.C. for the weekend and tried this amazing Mediterranean place for lunch. My…read morefriend who recommended this place has been obsessed with the food here and I can totally see why. We ordered mushroom kapnista, Halloumi pide, zaatar pide, htipiti and everything was so delicious. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the combination of dates and mushrooms together but really loved the smoky mushroom by itself. I was also very impressed with the Zaatar pide, it was cheesy and delicious. For desert we ordered greek yogurt with apricot and it was probably the best thing we tried here. The ambience is classy and they have ample of seating space. The overall meal didn't cost us as much as I thought it was, the prices were fairly reasonable!

As one of the longer running Andres restaurants, Zaytinya flew under me and my wife's radar as we…read moreexplored more trendy Mediterranean restaurants in the city. Though we typically look askance upon restaurants serving multiple ethnic cuisines, we nonetheless decided to try Zaytinya for dinner on the strength of friends' recommendations and when in need of a relatively last minute dinner reservation. The lively space is large and boasts bright white and marine blue accents characteristic of the Greek islands. While fancy enough for a date night, the place can get loud, so intimate evenings may be best had elsewhere. Zaytinya's large menu offers bites from Greece, Turkey, and the Levant. The meal begins with complimentary pita bread served with olive oil and pomegranate molasses. When fresh, the bread is soft and makes for pleasant munching. When it cools down a little it becomes a little hard and leathery, so be sure to eat it expediently. We started off with two Greek-inspired dips: the taramosalata and the tyrokafteri. Both tasted akin to what we have received at actual Greek restaurants, and subsequently hit the mark. Our zaatar pide arrived shortly thereafter. The dough on the flatbread was soft and we enjoyed the bites with egg and cheese. The zaatar itself ran more bitter rather than zesty, so while overall a decent bite I would skip it next time in favor of a different pide. Our imam biyaldi brought meltingly tender eggplant seasoned with warm spices, olive oil, and pine nuts. The dish tasted comforting and rustic. Our protein mezzes comprised the octopus Santorini, lamb kleftiko, and adana kebab. The octopus offered a generous portion of tender tentacles upon a schmear of creamy Greek style fava puree. The flavors and cook on the dish were good, though I could've used an acidic or herby element to bring a little brightness. The lamb kleftiko was the evening's uncontested favorite. Rather than the traditional parchment cooked preparation, the meat here is encased in homemade phyllo pastry and is set atop a rich tzatziki sauce. This made for a really delicious bite marrying juicy, tender lamb, crisp pastry, and cooling yogurt. Skip the adana kebab. The spicing on the skewer was adequate, but the somewhat bouncy texture of the meat and skimpy portion size made it a dud. Service ran smoothly but perfunctorily. We noted we were celebrating an anniversary on our reservation, but no mention was made. Our waiter didn't really explain the menu or offer suggestions for dishes. He did course the meal at a comfortable pace and the staff made sure we had plenty of fresh bread, and no errors were made. Our bill totaled $150 pre tip for six mezze and two drinks, which we found very fair for the quantity and quality of food. Overall, I can see why this restaurant has stood the test of time. While initially skeptical, we found most of the small plates here of a decent quality and taste and the menu appealing enough to return. Zaytinya thus gets four stars for solid Eastern Mediterranean fare at reasonable prices in lively surrounds.

Entire ambiance was ideal!! The food to the service was top…read morenotch. Will definitely take my lady here again for dates.

Gypsy Kitchen is one of those places you can take anyone and everyone to have a great time and an…read moreeven greater meal! One of my favorite tapas style spots in DC! Everything and when I say everything, is absolutely delicious! Some honorable mentions are the hummus, beef kebabs, and literally anything bread! Always so fresh and delicious, and the service/vibe is top tier for a good photo opp! PS: Crispiest Diet Coke in DC!!!!!

Albi was worth the wait! The group i was with made reservations two months n advance…read more We did the five-course Chef's Menu, and the dishes keep coming without hesitation. We reached the point of stop trying to remember the name of every dish and just start saying, "Okay... my tastebuds are invigorated!" in the best possible way. The sommelier absolutely nailed the wine recommendations, listened to us and helped us navigate ...eventually landing on Lebanese fine wine. The starters alone were fulfilling: spicy olives, charred dates that somehow hit salty, sweet, smoky- all at once, hummus I gladly ate with the light puff pillow bread, mushrooms, rice... basically dish after dish of "wait, try this." I just stopped referring to the menu. One of my favorites? I cannot name one! Although the lamb on skewers, and ground lamb served on a cinnamon stick. At first glance, it looked a little like a meatball, maybe even a tiny drumette. Then you taste it and realize the delicate cooking process, everything was curated and plated with decadence, attention to detail and the Michelin chef deserves an ovation. And dessert? Sheer crispy noodle sweetness! What really stood out was how intentional everything felt. The spices, the textures, the plating, the pacing of dishes, and of course the wine, It felt thoughtful. Curated. Like the chef cared deeply about every single detail that left the kitchen. That, to me, is what makes a Michelin-level experience worth it. Not tiny portions arranged with tweezers and a dramatic explanation. It's when the food actually delivers. Go hungry. Do the Chef's Menu. Trust the sommelier. And allow your palette to be tickled, comforted and satisfied.

One of the best meals of my life, period. Dish after dish blew me away. The lamb flatbread was the…read morefirst course and all of us were speechless. The pita and hummus with the labneh was a top 3 bite of all time. By the end, we were all completely stuffed until the knafeh arrived. Then a second wind overtook us all and we nearly ate the whole thing. Service was outstanding. We arrived at our table with a handwritten note to us celebrating our time with them for the occasion (it was a going away dinner for a few of us). We were given recommendations on drink pairings and each dish was explained. Whenever someone would get up to use the bathroom for example, their hand towel was changed for a clean one. Albi lives up to every expectation and recommendation it has. I would be hard pressed to find another restaurant let alone in DC, in the country that could take its spot on the podium.

A complete vibe! I…read morecame here with a coworker of mine the day before 4th of July for lunch and drinks, and I left full and happy. There is a parking garage around the corner of the restaurant so that makes things very convenient. The inside decor is gorgeous and is chic but also funky fresh. I got grilled octopus over a bed of bean salad that had pieces of pomegranate in it - 10/10. The savory taste of the octopus paired against the sweetness of the salad was really delicious. For desert I got the baklava option that comes with ice cream - INCREDIBLE. You have to order it if you come here.

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.

We went to dinner for my birthday and it was absolutely amazing! Our server saul did an astonishing…read morejob with food and drink recommendations and even had a complimentary dessert and candle ready. The place itself was beautiful, with great lighting and room for conversations! Will definitely be back again, even for just the service!

First time here and I was definitely impressed. The inside is very aesthetically pleasing, and the…read moreoverall atmosphere was great. Service was quick, and the menu was explained perfectly. The mixed grill plate was definitely a hit. The lamb chops were seasoned so well, and the chicken and beef kabobs were just as good. Definitely recommend getting the mixed grill if it's your first time. We also ordered a side of potatoes, and they were seasoned perfectly, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. And you absolutely cannot leave without ordering the hummus Overall, great food, great service, and a beautiful atmosphere.

I ordered from Uber Eats since there was a buy 1 get 1 free offer. In my opinion, Mezeh matches up…read morewith Cava as a build-your-own bowl quick Mediterranean spot. The food is always fresh in my experience.

Wish they had this place in San Diego! Was visiting DC for a few days and came across this spot…read more Lots of healthy topping options. Our dish had a punch of flavor. Portion was generous but ate so light. One bowl was enough to share for two. Very delicious! They also have baklava bites for a quick dessert bite. We had a few and was yummy and crunchy, not too sweet.

Genuinely beautiful. The food was amazing. Service was attentive and friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed…read morethis. Star of the show was definitely the lamb tagine. However, the halloumi and scallop were impeccable as well I will be back for Many more visits as my wallet allows.

Holy Toledo! You can't get much better than this. Maydan offers delicious middle eastern food set…read morein two different dining rooms, both unique, cozy, and beautiful. We dined on the Medina side. The room was wonderfully decorated, styled like a royal palace in a desert oasis. Only complaint -- the room was too cold (coming from someone who loves frigid temperatures). The other indoor seating option, which appears to be their main room, surrounds the central pit. The restaurant host (or manager) was incredibly kind and gave us a tour. I think the other seating option was better. Regardless, the food was top notch! We got their Tawle (tasting menu) with wine pairings. We also opted for their lamb shoulder. It was well worth the upgrade! Juicy, charred, and well seasoned. There were so many leftovers, too. I can't wait to return!

This is my favorite falafel place in all of DC and Virginia. The reason is because of the fresh…read morefood and management. I'm on a strict low sodium diet so finding a restaurant that serves zero sodium/low sodium food items can be difficult. Owner informed me that they started making ZERO sodium falafel, which is amazing! So while my partner munches away on his hearty Shawarma wrap, I can devour a delicious, zero sodium, falafel salad. (yes, salad can be that tasty!). The café is clean and tended to.

This is a nice little hidden gem! I came here about 15 minutes before they close and ordered to-go…read more The inside is not that big and only has a couple of tables for dining in. The menu is the perfect size and has the right number of item on it. Even though they were about to close, the staff greeted me as if I was the first customer of the day. Now let's talk about the food!!! I ordered the chicken/lamb shawarma and it was delicious!!!! I asked the guy behind the counter to make it the way he likes it. That turned out to be a good call!!! Overall it was a great experience and I'm pretty sure I'll be coming back.