Yum! Baklava is not for breakfast but i couldn't resist finishing the portion I took home…read moreyesterday. It is really delicious. Crunchy nuts and not too much honey. I also love the baba ganouj. And the service is also gracious. Thank you all!

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.

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.

Tried ilili DC recently and honestly loved the vibe as much as the food. The space feels upscale…read morewithout being stuffy, and the energy at The Wharf makes it a great dinner spot for a date night or group outing. The mezze was fresh and flavorful, especially the labneh and hummus, and the patatas bravas absolutely lived up to the hype. Service was attentive even though the restaurant was packed. It's definitely on the pricier side, but the atmosphere and quality made it worth it for a special night out.

Food (3/5): The complimentary house bread and zaatar come out warm and super fresh. It is a nice…read moreway to start the meal. We ordered the falafel sandwich and the schwarma sandwich. They both were really dry, so we asked for some tatziki sauce for the schwarma sandwich which was packed with meat, although a bit light on any veggies. They also brought some tahini sauce for the falafel which was really helpful. I only wish that they could bring this at first rather than having us ask for this. It would really made a HUGE difference in the sandwich and made it a 4/10 sammie to a 8/10 sammie. Service (5/5): The gentleman who was nice and really helpful. Ambiance (5/5): This is really a nice restaurant with a nice decorated interior. I was really impressed.

LEBANESE FAVORITE: We get the Taverna Platter every time and it never disappoints. This is hands…read moredown the best Lebanese restaurant in the area. Don't let the 3.5 star rating fool you. This place is a solid 5 stars. The complimentary house bread and zaatar come out warm and super fresh. It's hard not to keep reaching for more. We always order extra kibbeh, and the hummus with ground beef is excellent. The decor is the nicest of any Lebanese spot around and it makes for a great date atmosphere without feeling over the top. Everything tastes fresh and well made. If you're craving Lebanese food, this place delivers.

I came here during lunch and got a a spinach pie ($4.5) and chicken shawarma pita ($10). They…read moreoffered these free chips "on the house" and they were a nice little appetizers to munch on. The spinach pie was quite good! And after about 10 minutes my shawarma came out. It was seasoned good even though a little dry. The garlic sauce was very flavorful and helped with the overall flavor and texture. I was quite happy with the food as well as the price! I would definitely recommend and come back to this place! Food(50%): 8.0 Staff/service(25%): 8.5 Value(25%): 8.5 Overall: 8.3/10

I'd been wanting to try this place for a while because of the high reviews. But I wasn't really…read moreimpressed. I got the shawarma but there were way too many pickled ingredients in it. And the fries were soggy. I went with probably the safest entree, and it was pretty disappointing. On the plus side, I think their appetizers are a win. We had homemade hummus and the pitas that came with it were warm and doughy, probably the best part of the meal.

They have street parking outside the restaurant and some good outdoor and indoor seating…read more I hear they have a hookah lounge too inside somewhere which might be attractive to big groups. The service was S-L-O-O-O-O-W and our server messed up the order. She skipped bringing in the appetizer we ordered and first forgot fries and then forgot sauces/ napkins. Worst was when she messed up the billing by confusing 2 different cards from 2 different table orders. Food: The chicken shawarma wrap was good and came with fries which was yummy 5/5 Tip: the foil around the wrap was not "wrapped" well enough so all the sauces from the wrap dripped on our clothes and table :( Please hold the wrap carefully and be mindful it will be leaking.

My boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience here! The service was fantastic and the food was just…read moreAMAZING!! Everyone was just super kind and very helpful! The restaurant was super clean as well. I ordered the lamb shank with a side of hummus and a salad and my boyfriend ordered the shrimp dish with a side of fries and rice. Everything was unbelievably amazing!! My boyfriend devoured everything!! I, unfortunately, had to take home part of my dish because I still can't eat that much after having Covid three times. The dish also provided pita bread, which was also amazing!! We also both ordered dirty martinis, which was also amazing!!! We will definitely, and I mean most definitely, be coming here over and over again!!!

Fantastic! We ordered take out again as we live further away and it was an after-work scenario…read more The gentlemen serving were very polite and their Turkish coffee was fantastic and reminded me of our time in the Middle East. The fried kibbeh, tabbouleh, shush tawook and kofta are amazing. The only criticism was that the hummus ate a little thick (probably because we ordered take out), and that the meat quantity on the lamb with rice was a little lighter, some more would have been more substantial for an entree. We absolutely love Mona's and wish we lived closer and could enjoy her delicious food more often

Mona's is a delightful change of pace from a traditional restaurant. It's in a Victorian house a…read morelittle off the beaten path, but the space is wholly dedicated to the restaurant. It's warm and homey with antique furniture, and Mona cooking in the back kitchen. We shared a fattoush salad, meat pie appetizer and a roasted lamb entree. All were very good with the meat pies a real standout. The lamb was very tender and the fattoush fresh and tasty. Give Mona's a try, you'll be happy you did!

This place is in a great corner location, the food was delicious, and the staff were friendly…read moreoverall. We had a reservation to make sure we got a table, and the restaurant was completely full when we arrived. The only downside was that after being seated outside, we felt a little forgotten for the first 30 minutes or so. No one came by with water or to check in, and it seemed like the staff may not have realized a new table had been seated until we flagged down the outside host. There were also swarm of flies hovering around the outdoor tables, which another table pointed out and then we started noticing too. Aside from that, the experience was good overall. The inside dining area definitely had a dressier vibe compared to the patio seating, and once we were helped, the food made up for the slow start.

Placed a large order via Uber Eats since restaurant will not accept takeout orders directly…read more Restaurant does not allow any specifications when ordering through Uber Eats - for example, one person wanted one ingredient held from her salad. Uber Eats lacked description for Zaytinya's food items (such as the ounces of the drinks) and some items (such as the horta salata) were not as pictured. There were no extra napkins in our bag. The Coke came in bottles but we didn't receive any bottle openers. To top it off, we had three food items missing. I called the restaurant again to let them know about the missing food - they were unapologetic and didn't know what the proper protocol was to fix the situation. The service was subpar and the servings were small. Won't be back. The next day we had food delivered from another local restaurant where both the food and service were outstanding, unlike at Zaytinya. UPDATE: After writing the Yelp review, a general manager at Zaytinya emailed me the following: "..."The restaurant normally offers takeout, but the location was actually closed that day for a private event. However, since the order had come through, we tried to honor it. The mujadara and 2 orders of rice were missing because we hadn't prepped those items, as they were not offered for the buyout..." The restaurant knew on Friday what I was ordering for Tuesday. They had plenty of time to reach out to me and tell me they would be closed and wouldn't be able to fulfill the order. Instead, they knowingly sent out an order without all of the food for our group and charged as if we received everything. This shows a lack of professionalism and is disrespectful.

I came here for my 30th birthday celebration and all I can say is WOW- what a way to ring in a new…read moredecade. I left feeling full, grateful, and with a new love for middle eastern cuisine. The service was impeccable- the waitress and sommelier were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Nadia, our waitress, offered suggestions about what dishes would pair well together for the tawle experience and shared her favorites. The sommelier went over the extensive wine list and helped us pick a nice red that paired well with our chosen dishes- it was called Yacoubian Hobbs from Armenia. The ambiance was comfortable and welcoming- you could dress up or down, pretty much anything goes! The walls are lined with colorful patterns and draped tapestries to create a high end living room vibe. Now for the fun part- THE FOOD! The first dishes brought out were the mouneh (pickled veggies), the honey soaked dates, and the three spreads (we selected the hummus with lamb on top for an additional $15, havuc, and beet borani). I'll add that they continuously bring out fresh, warm pita throughout the whole meal. The lamb hummus was savory and well-balanced, but very rich. The havuc had a beautiful lightness from the carrots and I loved the textural element of the crispy onions on top. The beet borani also added a welcomed freshness throughout the meal and was vibrant, light, and had wonderful yogurt flavors. The underrated dish were the pickled veggies because INSANE. I used these in bites during the entire meal and they all had a unique flavor as if they were each pickled in a special way- my favorites were the white radish and scallions. The honey dates were a sweet palette cleanser and cut through the savory elements of the meal. We continued on with the next round consisting of the field lettuce salad, the three condiments (we chose the toum, chermoula, and harissa), halloumi, omani shrimp, and chickpeas. The field lettuce salad had a zesty vinaigrette and I appreciated the acidity addition of the sliced oranges and the crunchy, salted pistachios. The toum was a garlicky aioli that I felt was best paired with the chickpeas- although all the dips were delicious with all the dishes and the pita. The harissa was a lighter version than I am used to, spicy, and paired well with the veggies and ribeye. The chermoula was my favorite and paired best with the ribeye- it reminded me of a flavorful and herbaceous chimichurri. The halloumi had a sweet honey and was grilled perfectly, paired with nice crunchy nuts. The chickpeas had a lovely consistency and were well seasoned- I think it was sumac, but whatever it was, I couldn't get enough. The shrimp were ONE OF MY FAVORITE dishes from the whole meal. They were juicy, seasoned perfectly, charred, and just chefs kiss. I enjoyed them with the chermoula and squeeze of lime. The main dishes and veggies came during our final (besides dessert) round. We ordered the sayadieh as part of the table experience and also added a ribeye to the order. We had ordered the charred carrots, but they accidentally brought us the wildflower honey zucchini instead, so we were lucky enough to be able to try both. The branzino (sayadieh) absolutely blew my mind. It was citrusy, spicy, seasoned with bright spices, and incredibly moist. I would honestly skip the ribeye- it was cooked to a nice medium rare and had a nice flavor, but I don't think it compared to the rest of the meal. The charred carrots were spicy, cooked soft- also one of the standouts. The zucchini was served beautifully and I enjoyed the sauce, but could also skip next time. We ended the meal with the bitter orange sorbet and the chocolate mousse. The sorbet was a nice palette cleanser as it had zest in the mix and was very light after the heavy meal. The chocolate mousse was very rich and had a new balance of chocolate and peanut flavors. They brought over complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate my birthday as well :) I cannot wait to come back to try more of the menu and I am so happy to have had a diverse taste of the Middle East. I'll also add that we had a HUGE bag of leftovers that lasted several meals and they packaged it up like true professionals. A food lover completely satisfied and eager to get back :)

A popular spot near Adams Morgan. The restaurant features Middle Eastern grilled food. In fact,…read morethere were several fire grills in the center of the first floor of the restaurant (it has two floors), and you can see the staff constantly grilling the meats, fish, vegetables and pita. This, together with the dark vibe, made me feel as if I were eating with ppl. from B.C. in a cave. Very interesting. I like that. For food, I got the Carrot Havuc, Omani Shrimp and Halloumi. But first I was served with some freshly made whole wheat pita. They were soft, chewy and earthy. The Carrot Havuc was basically a carrot+garlic puree. Very silky, refreshingly sweet, and a bit sour. The sourness may come from the garlic and lemon. Paired well with the pita and meats. The Omani shrimp came with 5 pieces, each shrimp was ~1oz so it was not very filling. The shrimp were meaty, fresh, juicy, though I wish it could be less salty, even if I already asked for less salt. The shrimp was said to be marinated with dried lime and tamarind but I could only taste the flavor of dried lime. The Halloumi cheese was brushed wild flower honey and topped with Egyptian dukkah, then baked until the outside was golden brown. It was salty and sweet, and the (tons of) sesame seeds added some fragrance to it. However, the peanut was too roughly chopped so that they fell off from the cheese when I slice it, and thus difficult to eat with the cheese. Service was not worth the 20% mandatory tip. For example, when I asked about the sourness of the Carrot Havuc, he did not know why and said he would "taste it and let me know where the sourness came from". Unfortunately, he did not tell me until I asked again when doing the check (I doubt if he tasted it in the first place). Neither did he ask me about the other dishes. Overall, the dishes were great but not impressive, and was mostly heavily flavored. The service could be improved.

Did a phone order before my lunch at work and had a very positive experience. Service is incredible…read moreand they're very on top of your order. I had their Lebneh sandwich which was delicious but pretty light. Not ideal if you're really really hungry. Their matcha was ok. I added simple syrup but I wasn't impressed. The restaurant had limited street parking but it's a cute cafe aesthetic. I do agree with other reviewers, their menu items are pricey.

Really nice coffee & sandwiches here, I got the cardomom latte and it's one of the best in the area…read moreso far. The sandwiches are pretty big you can probably share one between two people especially if you want to get a dessert. Beef egg & cheese sandwich - my husband got this one and it's a nice breakfast sandwich it has really nice spices in it which make it different from other breakfast sandwich places. Kafta sandwich - this was perfect for lunch the flavors are really amazing. The baked desserts were hit or miss I'll come back to try some more. I wasn't the biggest fan of the flour used. It was pretty busy on the weekend, but we still managed to find parking and a table. People work on their laptops there so the turn over is slower. The inside is a bit cramped, I did have a little anxiety because there's really no space between you and the person next to you and there's just a small path to walk around. Parking is around back of the building, it has signs up that it's parking for that building only. I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area.

You will notice there's no photo attached to this review…read more.. That's because my salad did not survive long enough for a picture. The Lebanese Salad was so simple, but so good!. Delightfully fresh and filling. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced red onions, chickpeas, dill, mint, a bit of lemon and some olive oil... and I got mine topped with a generous portion of gyro meat. Absolutely amazing. The gyro meat was tender and flavorful, and the lemon and herbs in the dressing gave the salad an extra brightness and freshness that made the whole thing so delightful. I didn't think it was possible to enjoy a simple salad so much. I'm sitting outside of the restaurant right now seriously deciding if I want to go back in and order one more to take home.

Cozy spot with tasty Lebanese food and affordable prices. The restaurant is clean, simple, and…read morecomfortable, not fancy, but perfect for enjoying a decent meal without breaking the bank. The staff was attentive and welcoming, especially a mid-aged man I have no idea if he was the owner or the boss, making the whole experience even better. Definitely a great place for fresh, tasty food in a relaxed atmosphere.