I came here for my friend's engagement party, and everything was amazing. The food was delicious,…read moreflavorful, and incredibly filling. The large platter was perfect for sharing, and every bite was cooked perfectly. I've been to Bethesda so many times and never even knew this restaurant was here. What a hidden gem. I don't remember our server's name, but he was the bartender, host, and waiter all in one. He was so kind, personable, and made the entire experience even better with his great service. I will definitely be back and highly recommend Bacchus to anyone looking for amazing food, generous portions, and outstanding hospitality.

Honestly let's start with 10 stars across the board in every area. I have to start with the amazing…read moreowner ! When I say he went above and beyond for every single person at the resturant today he was amazing. You can feel the love and the care that he put in every single thing he did whether it was more water , taking your order, making your drink everything. We started with HOT and FRESH! Pita bread it was perfectly soft and absolutely delicious , the oil and herb dip was better than majority of Lebanese and middle eastern restaurants I've been to honestly the service and food is better than 80% of the restaurants I visit and I go out to eat weekly. They were very busy and they still made sure we were well taken care of. The resturant is also very clean and they move with efficiency when it comes to cleaning as well. We had beef kafta, grape leaves with rice and meat , lamb shank and the surf and turf. Every single thing was so good so juicy and perfectly seasoned I can't say enough about how good everything is. They also have the best sausage for appetizers oh my they were so delicious. We also had a dessert with baklava not sure what it was but man it was delicious a bit floral but it was mind blowing. Also the belly dancing is soooo good !

This place is simply beautiful in my opinion. Before you even enter, the patio has this inviting…read morefeel to it. But as soon as you answer, the decor is really nice. And this may be a best kept secret, but did you know they have happy hour all day every weekday at the bar? I go with a group of three, and we tend to just split all the happy hour food and have a party. The pide is fantastic, the burger is juicy, the gyro is flavorful ... I don't get me started on the two cocktail options, whew. It's all delicious. I need to return for brunch, and I have had some of their entrees way back, but that was their original location in DC. But I love the place and I wish them the most success!

They charged for olives in my martini! First I ordered their signature drink, after asking and…read morebeing told it was not too sweet. It was very sweet. Our server suggested a glass of white wine - undrinkable to my taste. I asked for a martini, up, with olives. It was a very nice martini - until we got the bill. They charged $1 for each olive! Outrageous! Who does this? I will never go back and promised I'd share this story with as many people as possible. The decor is old, they've done nothing to update since the prior restaurant, Positano, left. If you're contemplating this place- walk past! Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else

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.

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.

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!

Came back to Ammoora because it is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Baltimore with great…read morefood. The service was attentive throughout our meal, and every dish arrived beautifully plated with great attention to detail. We started with the Beyti Sujuk Rolls and the Beetroot Hadiqa. The rolls were one of my favorite appetizers. They were crispy, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the yogurt and tomato sauce. The Beetroot Hadiqa was equally impressive, with beets, apples, walnuts...it was a refreshing combination of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors. For our entrees, we ordered the Riyash of Lamb and the Freekeh Short Rib. The lamb chops were cooked beautifully and served over couscous with broccolini, while the pistachio crust added a nice texture. The Freekeh Short Rib was incredibly tender and the rich beef jus paired perfectly with the mushrooms. It was hearty, comforting, and one of the best short rib dishes I've had. The cocktails were just as memorable. I ordered the Asfar So Good, while my partner had the Ashita Affair. Both were beautifully presented with a silky foam on top and were as delicious as they looked. The Asfar So Good was light, refreshing, and well-balanced with subtle floral and citrus notes, while the Ashita Affair had a smooth, creamy texture with pistachio and rose flavors that made it feel almost like a dessert cocktail without being overly sweet. This is definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of the ingredients, presentation, atmosphere, and service justify the cost. Every plate felt thoughtfully prepared, and the overall experience was memorable from start to finish. If you're looking for elevated Middle Eastern cuisine, creative cocktails, and one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Baltimore, Ammoora is absolutely worth the splurge.

Ok. It's been a while (two years), but I wanted to give this neighborhood place another try. I am…read moremuch more impressed. The service was much better and uniform and the food we had was good. I liked the pita bread they brought over. It's a large piece, with a crunch on the outside, but not doughy on the inside. My mezza plate (called "traditional platter") was good. It is a sampling of hommus, tabouleh, baba ghannouge, a kibbeh, a grape leaf, and two falafels The baba ganouche was flavorful as was the hummus. The tabouleh was bright and fresh. The kibbeh was meaty (lamb) and the grape leaf was well stuffed and flavorful. I liked the falafel, but, although they were warm, I would have preferred that they be hot. The kibbeh was warmer in temperature. The lentil/spinach soup is very good. There's a fountain soda dispenser for free refills. As I said, the service was much better than our last visit and the food good. I'll be back. Probably to try chicken kabob or schwarma.

This location is right in the heart of Rockville Town Center where all of the shops and…read morerestaurants are located. You will find plenty of public parking garages and this location is quite convenient. For some reason this location has then chicken sandwiches I like called Djaje M' Sahab which includes minced chicken with garlic sauce in a pita bread wrap, and the other nearby location does not offer it. It could be because this location does have the rotating chicken rotisserie. The chicken shwarma and the rotisserie chicken are both also good options here too. Because of the convenience of this location, I am able to visit many other local favorites while here, like Bonchon and Trader Joes.

A Hidden Gem in Takoma Park!…read more Olive Lounge exceeded my expectations! The food was fresh, flavorful, and paired perfectly with their drinks. Their happy hour prices are very reasonable, making it an easy spot to enjoy without breaking the bank. I ordered the spinach dip, which was absolutely amazing, along with the pita and hummus, which was fresh and tasty. The standout for me, though, was the steak and cheese egg rolls, super good! Everything came out fresh, and the service made for an enjoyable experience. An added bonus is their outdoor lounge area, which creates a great atmosphere for relaxing with friends or enjoying a nice evening out. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend Olive Lounge to anyone looking for great Mediterranean food, good drinks, and a welcoming vibe in Takoma Park.

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.

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.

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.