Imperfecto

Imperfecto is a new restaurant by Enrique Limardo and the team behind Seven Reasons. The restaurant is inspired in the intersection between the Mediterranean & Latin American Cultures, and sustained in Enrique Limardo's bold culinary approach.  At Imperfecto, they believe that human beings are not perfect; rather far from perfect or imperfect. And it's imperfection what moves us forward and shows us how to improve. Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom.

Albi

Albi provides a journey through Levantine cooking as seen through the lens of Modern techniques and Mid-Atlantic ingredients from chef/owner Michael Rafidi. The word "albi" is Arabic for my heart.   Closest Metro is Navy Yard.

2941 Restaurant

2941 Restaurant is a visual and culinary adventure. Every dish is a work of art at this marvelous inside the beltway oasis. Set in among luxuriously landscaped woods in a remote area of Falls Church, VA, the restaurant features elaborately designed waterfalls, Koi ponds, and fountains that one can enjoy from any seat. In January 2012, the restaurant underwent an extensive kitchen renovation and dining room refresh, the results of which are sure to appeal to guests in search of a distinctive dining retreat any night of the week. While the unparalleled water views, floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary feel remain, the new menu features Modern American French with Mediterranean influences that still provides a wonderful gastronomical experience in a fun and approachable way.

Ambar

"Where southeastern Europe meets Southeast DC," Ambar is a Serbian-owned restaurant along the bustling Barracks Row that features Balkan inspired dishes emphasizing meats and cheeses. The name refers to a Balkan building used to dry maize. With a desire to introduce DC to cutting edge Balkan cuisine, proprietor Ivan Iricanin has created a dining space that will delight and indulge the senses. Primarily featuring "small plates" Ambar will also offer wines and spirits from the Balkans not often experienced by the American diner. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Olivia

Olivia restaurant features Mediterranean flavors with seasonal, responsibly and locally sourced ingredients and modern techniques, striking a balance between innovation and tradition. Offering signature cocktails and a diverse menu of Mediterranean cuisine inspired by Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, and beyond in a beautiful, welcoming environment Olivia is the revamp of its predecessor, NoPa. Olivia features a menu that highlights shared plates, large plates, and a wine list that is priced to welcome exploration of a variety of vintages with special attention to wines of the Mediterranean region. Closest Metro is Gallery Place - Chinatown.

Ottoman Taverna

Ottoman Taverna offers cuisine inspired by the techniques and ingredients from the Ottoman region. The interior of the 160-seat restaurant pays homage to the turn-of-the-century casual restaurants found throughout Istanbul. Turkish-born owner Hakan Ilhan also owns Alba Osteria next door in the same building as well as L’Hommage Bistro Francais just a few blocks away. Closest Metro is Gallery Place.

Tail Up Goat

Tail Up Goat comes to us from owners Jon Sybert, Jill Tyler, and Bill Jensen.  The restaurant's name is a nod to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jill's childhood home and is how one can tell the difference on an island overrun with both: "Tail up goat. Tail down sheep."   The food is soulful and sophisticated with a special emphasis on pasta and bread along with idiosyncratic, food-friendly tipples and soft drinks. Closest Metro is Adams Morgan.

MezzeBox DC

*Sponsored Post

MezzeBox DC makes healthy, delicious, ready-to-eat meals from scratch and delivers them to you. Each dish is made fresh using whole ingredients and authentic Mediterranean recipes to create perfect harmonies of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats, spices, and healthy oils. Currently, MezzeBox is offered in Washington D.C. and parts of Maryland and Virginia - delivery is FREE with $25 minimum order!

Zaytinya

Zaytinya us a trendy, fun, Mediterranean mezzes (small dishes – like tapas) restaurant. Great service and the price is fairly decent ranging from $7-11 a plate. Plan to order 5 - 6 plates per couple. Mostly serve Greek and other Mediterranean wines along with trendy overpriced cocktails that use Turkish fruits like apricot, pear, and pomegranate. They also have a patio for summer dining. I have sat inside, in various sections of the large restaurant; each decorated with modern contemporary décor as well as outside on the patio. Even the bathrooms are modern with “floating” faucets and extra private toilet stalls. Closest Metro is Gallery Place.

Iron Gate

Iron Gate offers modern American cuisine influenced by Italian and Greek flavors from Chef Tony Chittum. Built in 1875, the Iron Gate has seen a number of identities including a Civil War stable, inn, and two restaurants.  Reopened in November 2013, Iron Gate is a historical, romantic space with a rear formal dining room - with a tasting menu, red leather banquettes and fireplace - and a more relaxed vaulted carriageway, preceded by giant lanterns and home to a long bar.  Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

Butchery & Wine

Butchery & Wine is the only restaurant in Poland to be awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, which implies good value for money.  Their motto is "Food is our passion. Preparing, serving and enjoying a delicious meal is always inspiring."  Their goal is to create a place in Warsaw where people can enjoy great food that is prepared with ingredients of the highest quality and served in a setting that is without unnecessary fuss, where we can say with confidence to all: eat what you love.

Zaytinya Hosts its Sixth Annual Greek Easter Festival

*Sponsored Post
José Andrés and his team at award-winning mezze restaurant Zaytinya, led by Head Chef Michael Costa, commemorate this event with a two-week festival, which runs from April 20 - May 3, 2014.  The festival will feature celebratory food, cocktails, music and special events. Head Chef Michael Costa will create an array of Mediterranean-inspired dishes rich with flavors and ingredients reminiscent of springtime in Greece. The festival kicks off with Easter Brunch on Sunday, April 20th and culminates on Saturday, May 3rd from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM with Agorá, a traditional Greek outdoor market event. The market will feature unique Greek artisanal products, wines, and much more. Live music, Spartan warriors, and complimentary loukamades help make for a very festive afternoon. Admission to Agora is free to the public.

Zaytinya Hosts its Third Annual Grape Festival

*Sponsored Post
It’s that time of year to celebrate the harvest season of the most iconic fruit, the grape. José Andrés and his team at award-winning mezze restaurant Zaytinya, led by Head Chef Michael Costa, commemorate this event with a two-week festival, which runs from September 22 – October 5, 2013. This is third consecutive year that Zaytinya is raising glasses to the most cherished fruit of Mediterranean cuisine with many variations of this respected harvest through wine tasting events, dinners, a grape-inspired menu and a handcrafted specialty cocktail.

Amada

Amada is Chef Jose Garces' iconic first restaurant. Since opening in 2005, the gorgeous rustic-chic restaurant and bar has embraced the rich traditions of Spanish gastronomy while incorporating avant-garde cooking techniques. Amada's dining room features a six-seat chef's counter overlooking the open kitchen, a comfortable second dining room and lounge area, an intimate private event space and a spacious bar area reminiscent of a typical Spanish bodega, complete with hanging jamòns, a display of whole cheeses and shelves brimming with imported canned goods for sale. Located in Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood, the restaurant is steps from public transportation and easily accessible on foot or by car.

Agora Presents Raki Gecesi (Raki Night)

Photo: Agora Website

Agora, known for its alluring Mediterranean cuisine, will host a traditional Turkish gathering known as Raki Gecesi or Raki Night, complete with live Turkish music on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 8:30pm.  Priced at $80 per person, all inclusive, the menu will consist of five courses prepared Executive Chef Ghassan Jarrouj along with unlimited amount of Turkish Raki, Turkish red or white wine, or Efes beer. Limited seating is available and reservations are recommended (contact events @agoradc.net).

At Home: Sugo Eggplant Caponata

Next on Restaurant Recreations...At Home, I tackle one of Cava’s most popular Mediterranean small plates called eggplant caponata. Punched up with chopped olives, capers, and a scattering of mint it was a huge hit at the restaurant.  No longer available on Cava's menu, Chef Dimitri Moshovitis now features it in his newest restaurant, Sugo Cicchetti in Potomac, MD. As with many Italian preparations, prime produce and good olive oil are the keys to the dish. Eggplant and mint are more abundant at farmers markets as the weather warms, and the rest of the ingredients can be found in grocery stores.

Mala Ocean Tavern

Mark and Judy Ellman, who owned the memorable Avalon Restaurant some years ago, gutted a small restaurant space on the water near Mala Wharf and created a sophisticated, light-filled restaurant/bar. A menu statement explains the concept: small plates, organic whenever possible, whole grains, no preservatives, no hydrogenated oils and everything in proportion. A popular spot for weddings and special events, Mala Ocean Tavern highlights fresh seafood using Mediterranean flavors and style with their fun small plates presentation, but the menu has somewhat of an identity crisis with its mixed Italian and Asian cuisine.

Café 8

This casual and friendly restaurant along the historic Barracks Row offers super flavorful Mediterranean cuisine at unpretentious prices. A favorite of mine, I have gone back again for both lunch and dinner. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Agora

Last date I was here: 09/17/2010

Restaurant: Agora (http://www.agoradc.net/index.htm/)

Location: Dupont Circle

Total Rating: 4.05
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 3, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 5

Summary: This casual and friendly restaurant in trendy Dupont Circle offers flavorful and fresh Mediterranean mezzes from Turkey and Greece. Specialty wines and cocktails are also popular at their bar. Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

It is Turkish Restaurant Week in DC and with several restaurants participating, Keith and I decided to try Agora. The atmosphere is very laid back with a large patio in the front - perfect for people watching and enjoying the lovely warm Fall evening. The place seemed packed with groups and after-work diners. Our server was very friendly and although it took a while to get water and some bread for our table, he was very responsive and checked up on us and cleared our plates at the appropriate times the rest of the night. The RW menu offers 4 courses for $25. Keith and I ordered items that we could both share and paired it with an interesting bottle of white wine from Argentina. Ingredients were fresh and some of the items had a little twist from the traditional Mediterrenean cuisine. For example, the falafal was stuff with jumbo crab meat and the borek was peppered with leaks served with tomatoes stewed in anise. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal and left very full and satisfied. With the convenient location in a popular part of town, I would recommend this place to others looking for a more social and fun atmosphere.

What I ate:

Htipiti

roasted peppers, feta cheese, thyme, olive oil

Kasik Salad

diced tomatoes, onions, parsley, cucumber, feta cheese, black olive, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and crushed Turkish red pepper

Crab Falafel

jumbo lump crab filled falafel served with tahini

Chef's Borek

Philo dough rolled into the shape of a cigar, filled with goat cheese,

savory herbs and crushed red pepper, served with tomato marmelade

Grilled Branzino

Charcoal Grilled half Mediterranean Branzino, Olive Oil, lemon juice, grilled bread, arugula, grilled lemon

Shish Tavuk

Marinated grilled chicken breast with grilled tomatoes and sumac-onions on garlic pita bread

Kadayif

Layered Shredded Kadayif Disks with Vanilla Milk Pudding Topped with Orange Blossom Honey and Pistachios

Portakal Baklava

Baklava Filled with Braised Orange Rind and Orange Marmalade

Levante’s

Last date I was here: 10/31/2008

Restaurant: Levante’s (http://www.levantes.com/)

Location: Dupont Circle

Total Rating: 4.05
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5

Summary: This chain restaurant from Austria is fairly new to the DC area and offers eastern mediterranean cuisine in a casual dining environment and fair prices. The flavors of Greece and Turkey are fresh and indulging. Open kitchens and wood-fired ovens produce charcoal - grilled meats and vegetables, which are prepared in full view of diners. Pita and flat breads are baked fresh. Unique Turkish pides with generous size and homemade crusts offer a unique alternative to Italian-style pizza. Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

We ate dinner here on Halloween night and had a great seat by the window so we could watch all the crazy costumes walk by as they headed to the bars. The seating area seemed plentiful with a nice bar and large patio area. Not sure if it was the festive-ness in the air, but I found it to be a little noisy at times and hard to hear during our conversation. I really enjoyed the appetizers, a little too much batter on the fried veggies, but the flavors were good. Also enjoyed my pide but was too full to finish it all! I wish I could have taken the leftovers, but we had to catch a movie and I did not want to carry it the whole time. I would definitely eat here again.

What I ate:

♥Levante Plate♥

Assortment of favorite Levante appetizers: Cigars, Tsatziki, Dolma, Greek Cheese, Fried Zucchini, Fried Eggplant

♥Eggplant Pide♥

Eggplant puree, olives, garlic, and parsley on a base of Kaser cheese

Plus Keith ate:

Mixed Grill Plate

Assortment of Levante’s grill specialties: Adana Kebab, Shish, Chicken Skewer, and Lamb Chops
Served with rice and broccoli