Adams Morgan has lost some of its club-scene momentum in the past several years with the rise of K Street but still draws a fairly significant crowd that draws from a variety of different communities within the DC area. The turnover has always been a bit more frequent in the area but there are a few venues that have managed to differentiate themselves and achieve a modicum of sustainability including Soussi. I visited Soussi this past weekend and found that it was still thriving.

Cost - $$

Service - C
For some reason I feel like Soussi is consistently understaffed and that creates some issues with service. For instance, it took us about 15 minutes or so to get served after sitting down and another 30 minutes or so until our waitress returned after the first round. I don’t think the servers are particularly rude or impolite but the scene is so chaotic they come off seeming ruffled and frantic.

Food - C
I’ve never eaten at Soussi but I must say that whatever they were cooking didn’t smell particularly appetizing. In fact, the entire restaurant smelled like fried fish and the entire time I was sitting I had to deal with the realization that I would also smell like fried fish throughout the remainder of the evening - never a good feeling.  Additionally, I had a glass of Esperto Pinot Grigio that tasted a bit stale.

Decor - B+
I went to Soussi because I really dig the upstairs lounge. It’s one of the few places in Adams Morgan you can go and feel an element of privacy. The outdoor patio is also great when the weather complies, if you can get seated.

Feel - B
I would have probably graded Soussi higher in past years or if I had been sitting out on the patio. It typically draws a very laid-back crowd and I’ve had some pretty cool interactions with people there in the past. I can get over the lack of prompt service however, this time I really couldn’t get over the lack of ventilation in the upstairs lounge and the stink that pervaded the venue so I’m going to give Soussi a B until they get their act together.

Soussi is at 2228 18th St. NW . Washington, DC 20009

Tucked away off of the bustling streets of M St., Neyla’s has it all; ambiance, cocktails, and great food. Although small in size compared to other DC restaurants, the GM bends over backwards past the caddy hostesses to try to cater to every entering guest. Adding tables, scrambling for chairs, he miraculously is able to seat everyone even on the busiest nights. Gracious as he is accommodating, he alone is what makes this restaurant stand apart from others with his genuine hospitality.

Cost - $$$

Service – A-
At a place like Neyla’s my expectations for the wait staff, at minimum, were met. My water glass was constantly being filled and we were checked on a few times during the meal. The waiter did go above and beyond with recommending certain dishes and explaining the accompaniments of each entree.

Food – B-
Dining during restaurant week, a special menu was set apart for the event’s participants. Having had extensive experience with Middle Eastern cuisine, I found that the hommos and the baba ghannoug were a bit too lemony for my palate. My favorite dish on the menu was the braised lamb. The eggplant puree and manchego cheese were a perfect sharp and slightly tangy accompaniment to the succulent lamb. The chicken shish taouk stood out with its strong garlicy-shalloty flavor, but dipped with the yogurt sauce gave the perfect creamy and tart bite that I love in Middle Eastern cuisine. Creative cocktail concoctions stand apart from the standard cosmopolitan and fruity vodka mixes that most places feature. A must try is the Lebanese beer; smooth and crisp like a light beer but surprised me by not providing a slight bitter finish. Although I gave the food a relatively low rating, I fully intend to come back again. With its eclectic menu featuring dishes all over the Mediterranean, I know there will be plenty of surprises for me to try each time I come.

Decor - A-
Middle Eastern mysteriousness definitely is reflected by the décor at Neyla’s. Strips of red fabric jet out of the walls providing a feel of luxuriousness. Wooden furniture and emblems nod to the antiquity of the cuisine and culture. Colorful lamps hang from the ceiling to solidify the feeling of being transported away from the busy DC area. If you’re lucky enough to score the couch seats in the corner, be ready to take in the plush, richly colored cushions and pillows.

Feel – A-
The music is a touch too loud, and the lighting is a bit too dark after the sun goes down, but the overall ambiance is still great. The darkness casts a mysteriousness over the restaurant and the tucked away seating inside is perfect for people watching as guests leave and enter. Mehdi Zorgani, the GM, is what I think makes this restaurant stand apart. Although people were lined up outside and the hostesses were turning guests away, Mehdi managed to accommodate anyone and everyone who was willing to try Neyla’s. His “lets include everyone” approach really caught my eye as he courteously checked on every table, kept a careful eye on the kitchen, and miraculously conjured up tables and chairs for the heavy stream of guests. Having been in the restaurant business myself, I have never seen such a display of hospitality in my life. I was truly impressed.

Cost - $$

Service - A-
Sabores has pretty good service. Actually the people who work there are downright friendly. They are mostly Latin and as much as I hate to stereotype (actually I don’t hate to stereotype at all) I find that Latin people who work in restaurants tend to be friendlier than other ethnicities. At any rate, the service is quite good.

Food - B
The food is quite good. You can choose from a decent array of Spanish Tapas and the quality is much better than some of the other Tapas places in the DC area (like Jaleo for instance, which always leaves me feeling slightly nauseated).

Decor - A-
I arrived at Sabores about ten minutes before the rest of my group and leaned up against the bar and enjoyed a mojito. With its open walls, it has a very tropical feel and in the warm DC night if I shut my eyes I honestly felt for a moment that I was transported to the Caribbean. Now, that may be lunatic tendencies of a man who hasn’t felt much warm weather in the past five months but there is something very perfect about the way that Sabores is designed.

Feel - B+
Much like with the decor, if I closed my eyes for a few moments in the warm DC night I could almost imagine being in a trendy upscale lounge in Miami surrounded by all sorts of beautiful people. Then I opened my eyes and realized I was in a restaurant in Cleveland Park. That being said, it is not a bad place to start your evening and if you are lucky enough to have a significant other then I would highly recommend Sabores as a venue to take them out on a warm Summer evening.

Sabores is located at 3433 Connecticut Ave. They can be reached at (202) 244-7196.

What’s the Buzz:

January 18, 2008 - The Full Flavors of Sabores (The Washington Post) - Sabores resembles a double-wide add-on solarium. The room is a long rectangle with a marble-topped bar and a row of banquettes along the rear wall. Full Article…

Cost - $$

Service - B+
I was admittedly a bit tipsy by the time I got to Skye Lounge last Friday evening so I can’t recall whether the service was very good or bad. I remember the manager being pretty friendly and accommodating however so I’m going to give the service the benefit of the doubt.

Food - ?

Decor - B+
It has been pretty tastefully decorated and offers a comfortable up-scale interior. There are several large plasma TVs spread throughout the venue and the walls are lined with nice leather couches.

Feel - B+
I think Skye Lounge is exactly the place you want to go for a relaxed weekend evening in a cool venue where you can get drinks pretty readily and also dance a bit…or for a happy hour drink during the week. For watching a game it might not be a bad option either if you happen to live in the area.

Skye Lounge is at the corner of 19th and I. They can be reached at (202) 331-5800.

Cost - $$

Service - B-
Depending on how busy the restaurant is, the quality of service can range. I have had nothing but good experiences but I have noticed others at nearby tables getting barely adequate attention. Brunch can be busy so you may have to temper your expectations.

Food - B-
The food isn’t quite as good or consistent as some of the other Mediterranean mezze restaurants but worth a try. I have had some pretty good meals and some that were lacking.

Decor - A-
The modern style coupled with the rooftop views and lounge in the basement makes Tabaq a pretty cool place to dine or for happy hour.

Feel - B+
Being one of the few modern restaurants on U Street, Tabaq usually has a good crowd and the rooftop is popular. The tables are close together and can feel cramped at times. Another good starting point for a night out.

What’s the Buzz:

November 25, 2007 - Tabaq (DC Eats) - I spent my birthday dinner at Tabaq. Located on U street between 13 & 14th St. off the Green/Yellow Line Cordoza Metro stop. Swanky & sexy with a Steven Starr restaurant type of feel it was definitely my steez. Tabaq has a Mediterranean theme with great drinks. The top floor (where the roof comes off in the summer) is where it is at! Full Article…

March 16, 2006 - Tabaq (Washington City Paper) - The buzz surrounding this U Street restaurant’s glass-enclosed roof deck has made it a popular place since it opened last August, and judging by the fact that the main-floor dining room was nearly empty on a recent midweek evening visit, it’s clear that diners want to see what all of the fuss is about. Though the greenhouselike terrace is clearly designed as a place to linger and snack in, it might be made more comfortable with fewer tables and a little more light. Full Article…

October 23, 2005 - Tabaq (Washington Post) - As I ease into some stuffed grape leaves at Tabaq Bistro, looking up now and then from my rooftop perch to see the Capitol dome and the Washington Monument in the distance, I consider a new answer to the question I hear almost every week: Where can I catch a view with a meal? For anyone who has tried to find a restaurant with a Washington backdrop and food that is equal to the scenery, the arrival of Tabaq is no small news flash. Full Article…

Cost - $$

Service - B
The wait staff are usually very good at making recommendations and educating first-timers on mezze etiquette. A good waiter will bring your order out in waves to ensure food is served at the right temperature.

Food - B
The food has always been consistent and is a good value for the price. The menu is well-rounded with over 70 choices of small plates, however, the traditional desserts seem to be a little light for me. Vegetarian friendly and some very good wine by the glass (try the Malagousia).

Decor - B+
The white and blue scheme achieves its goal of a modern look with mediterranean overtones. High ceilings give the main dining area an open feel and the lighting is just right for lively parties or first dates.

Feel - A-
As one of the busiest restaurants in the city, Zaytinya attracts a diverse crowd and is a safe bet if you are looking for a happening place for dinner. Maybe not the best place for serious business but a very good starting point for a night out.

What’s the Buzz:

July 31, 2007 - Zaytinya (Bacon and Bakin’) - Friday night, I found myself walking to the Metro at about 8:15. I was on my way downtown, where I was meeting a friend, Jeremy, for dinner at Zaytinya. I’d been to Zaytinya before, but Jeremy hadn’t and had wanted to go for some time. We decided to meet at Zaytinya at 9, figuring the dinner rush would have subsided. Wroooong…Full Article…

October 15, 2006 - Zaytinya (Washington Post) - Excellence comes in many flavors. One of them is Zaytinya, the mezze specialist that manages to be beautiful, luscious and easy on the wallet (well, so long as you don’t get carried away ordering retsina cocktails).The blue-and-white palette evokes a Greek coastline; the service flows warm and efficient. Full Article…