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Albi Washington Reviews
I've been to Albi twice now and its just so.
damn. good. They are so consistently impeccable. The staff is welcoming and really help to walk you through the menu. From the sommelier talking through the regional wines, to our waiter making sure our meal was balanced with snacks, dumplings and proteins, everything was fantastic. And don't worry, we left FULL. I will say that even by dc standards this restaurant is very expensive. The ambiance is lovely and every dish that came out of that kitchen was a hit so I understand the high price, but they may be pricing some foodies out of the experience.
We visited Albi a mere few days after returning from an
We visited Albi a mere few days after returning from an extended trip to the middle east, and I can say, without a doubt, fine dining in Albi is every bit as good as in Kuwait, Bahrain, or the UAE, with the added bonus of enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail with your authentic, delicious food. The staff and Albi was fantastic and steered us to the lamb which was exceptional. It was an exceptional dining experience.
The food and ambiance at Albi are outstanding.
But there are two factors that I cannot negate: 1. After 5 years, it is still incredibly difficult (but not impossible) to get a table in the dining room between 6 pm-9 pm. 2. Albi is very expensive, and a bit overpriced compared to similar establishment. As a special occasion, we went with the Sofra experience, which is a five-course meal that the chef leads. Unlike a set menu, though, you can inform your server (in our case the bartender, since we were seated at the bar) with your strong desire to try certain things, allergies, and dietary restrictions. Admittedly, given the smaller portions to try the various things and the unknown of what is coming next, there were times that we questioned if we were going to get the value for the experience vs. a la carte. Ultimately we did. There were two standout dishes for me: Any of the hummus dishes, since the hummus is impeccable. And the creativity in the cinnamon stick kebabs. If you are a Mediterranean cuisine fan, who is willing to splurge, Albi- the heart should be on your DC list.
This was one of my favorite food experiences ever.
The aesthetic and ambiance when you walk in is homely and welcoming. When we were seated, the server gave us a great explanation of the menu. We ordered the following: 1. Sfeeha which was a small lamb meat stick/mini pie with toom (garlic spread) 2. Mushroom hummus : This is a must try , I would love to try the other hummuses next time. 3. Lamb kebab bbq was the star of the show every bite was flavorful and it was very filling. This can be split among two people 4. We had the knafeh and labene (soft serve with pomegranate molasses) both were very good We also had the date palmer which was a Moroccan mint tea mocktail I was so full at the end of this meal but everything was really and could not recommend it more
Awesome food
We were lucky enough to snag a reservation during a planned trip to the area. Once seated, service was impeccable. Food items were all delicious. Desert was the best knafeh I had ever tasted. We had a perfect wine pairing. I would have given then five stars if they had offered us a free drink (instead of thanking us for our patience) while we waited to be seated 20 mins past our reservation time - when you are paying $300 per person, this would seem like a small courtesy.
Incredible dining experience here at Albi.
I did the tasting menu and wine pairing which both ended up being awesome choices. My taste buds went on a magical roller coaster ride throughout the meal and my belly was very happy. All of the staff were extremely friendly and provided amazing service. Really nice ambiance inside. They give you sooooo much food, omg. I almost passed out after the main course! Definitely must come here and try out all the goodness.
Do it.
It was the best meal I've had in the DMV and would go over and over again if I could. We did the tasting menu during thanksgiving and they incorporated fall flavors so beautifully into all the food. Service was excellent, drinks were great and overall it was a great experience.
This is our second time at Albi for my fiancรฉ's birthday.
It's his favorite place, and I completely agree, because it never disappoints! Friendly staff, beautiful design, and impeccable food and drinks.
Absolutely phenomenal.
We only managed to get last-minute seats in the Bar Room instead of the main Dining Room, but honestly, it didn't matter -- the space was still beautiful, intimate, and felt like part of the experience. The food blew us away: - Sfeeha (meat pie) - perfectly crispy crust, flavorful lamb filling with just the right kick. - Squash Blossom - such a unique bite. The tempura was crisp without feeling heavy, and pairing it with the lettuce "taco" kept it refreshing. - Amba khubz - INSANE. Probably the best pita I've ever had -- warm, fresh, pillowy. The combo of stone fruit, tangy labne, and honey was unforgettable. - Batata Harra - impossibly thin and crisp potatoes, seasoned perfectly, with a creamy toum dipping sauce I could've eaten by the spoonful. - BBQ'd Lamb Kebabs - the smoked belly shish was loaded with flavor, and the loin was solid too (I'm not usually a steak person, but still enjoyed it). Loved the dramatic presentation with the sword tableside! And the desserts -- wow. - Knafeh - warm, brown-buttered, loaded with pistachio, and perfectly balanced by the frozen yogurt. Hands-down the best way to end a meal. - "Twist" Labne Soft-Serve - repeat after me: you cannot leave without ordering this. Creamy, tangy, refreshing, and absolutely out of this world. On top of the food, the service was outstanding. Our waiter gave thoughtful recommendations that matched everything we had read online, and it really elevated the experience. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but completely worth it. I literally booked my next reservation before we even left.
Was lucky to get in on a Thursday night - just myself -
Was lucky to get in on a Thursday night - just myself - seated at the bar. You take what you get when you don't plan ahead. No matter though; the staff at the bar were impeccable and extremely engaging. Though I haven't had the pleasure of table service here, I can't imagine or envision any drop off in service at the bar. They were outstanding. Room was very elegant without trying too hard. By that I mean they did a great job making it feel like a top notch place. At once, cozy and sophisticated. Now to the food - INCREDIBLE. I had the 5-course "Sofra" with wine assortment. There was also a course-by-course wine pairing, but I opted for the more streamlined version and was thankful. The pours were generous and never stopped coming. The Somme was very good at introducing and describing a line up of wines from the Middle East with which I am completely unfamiliar. The pairings were spot on, and I I was blown away. The Sofra menu included all of the ร la carte menu highlights, and it was admittedly a lot of food. My only complaint is that I could have done with less, but I loved tasting so many incredible presentations. The staff were incredible about describing everything, but I regret that I don't remember much of it. There was not a single bad bite though. I would have appreciated a menu card with what I had, but this is a very minor criticism. Overall, exactly what I'd expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, but Albi still managed to surprise me at each course with beautifully presented dishes with exotic flavors and textures. This is hands down my new favorite spot in DC. 5 stars. Will come back again and again.
We had a phenomenal meal at Albi.
Definitely the best middle eastern restaurant in DC and probably the best we have ever had (and we are big fans of all Middle East/med cuisines). Really creative a delicious vegetarian options. If I had one criticism (and this is really just sort of a unique issue for us) it is that my wife eats meat and I don't, so she could t really order a meat dish for one without spending $80+ and having tons of left overs because the meat courses are designed to share. My suggestion/hope would be that they could offer one of the shared style courses as a smaller option.
So captivating!
This is a great spot for a memorable evening, full of delicious food and very thoughtful presentation. We did the tasting menu, and were super excited by the prospect of something selected by the kitchen. Each course was just perfect in terms of the Visual appeal, and the deliciousness of the textures and flavors. If you want something truly special, come for the dinner and enjoy the experience.
Amazing meal and glad I listened to local recommendation
Fantastic. Pricey meal for a solo trip but best meal I have had in DC. Ever. Fantastic mix of flavors and very unique to the other fine dining. Staff was friendly and informative. I did the sofra tasting menu and so happy I did. Spread was so complex and flavorful and Dessert was wow.
Albi is a gem of a restaurant.
I donโt know where to start from. The royal treatment they gave us, the food, the space? Gabby, The manager and hostess was incredible all along. She made the experience so much more memorable because of the service she gave us prior to arriving as well as while there. Now to the food. Being from a Middle Eastern background, I have grown up with similar food but Albi truly takes it to the next level. The prawns, the tuna naya, the lamb kebab โฆ.all enhanced by amazing spices, marinades, and. presentation. Albi is a must, not to be missed.
For the vast majority of restaurants, they are simply
For the vast majority of restaurants, they are simply places to eat, but a few elevate to "an experience". Albi is one of those rare gems where the combination of food quality, service and ambiance can take a standard gathering of friends into one all will remember and cherish.
We truly enjoyed our visit - The ambience, food and drinks
We truly enjoyed our visit - The ambience, food and drinks exceed expectations and made for a wonderful date night experience. MD Crab humid, Soujek humus, Baba Ganoush, Fattoush, and Embered Beets were quite delish. Hands-down one of the best pita breads I've ever consumed. Highly recommended and look forward to our return to work our way through more of the Mezze and Mashawi dishes!
Incredible experience at Albi and I plan to go back the
Incredible experience at Albi and I plan to go back the next time I'm in DC. Everything we had was good but the mushroom hummus, eggplant hummus, Sfeeha, and Lamb were an absolute must! (Pretty much named everything haha) we received great service from our waiter as well. We went on the 4th of July and could see fireworks from our table. Pretty dope!
Albi was awesome.
It lived up to its reputation. I visited on a Wednesday evening at 7 PM with four people. We debated getting the Sofra Menu (tasting menu) or ordering a la carte. The Sofra menu did not seem like a good value, since it didn't list any specifics and it was pretty pricey ($145 food, $65/$95 drink pairing). I'm skeptical of tasting menus that don't commit to courses because it's not transparent for the diner and puts all of the control (and benefit) in the hands of the restaurant. They could skimp on ingredients, courses, or portion sizes, but they also benefit from batching everything for the group. We went a la carte, we ate and drank plenty, and we spent about as much as only the Sofra *food* would have cost. We had a round of cocktails and a magnum of wine recommended by the sommelier. Cocktails were good, like the Nevizade Negroni (basically a mezcal negroni) and Sting Like A Habibi (like a beesting) but too expensive IMO at $18-$20 a pop. The wine was a good recommendation in our price point and paired very well with the food. They started us off with a small gratis bowl of olives and pickled fennel. I didn't expect to like this, but I did. Then, we feasted on Crab Hummus ($25 w/ pita), Mushroom Hummus ($20 w/ pita), Fattoush salad ($22 with cucumber, tomato, feta), Tuna Kibbeh Naya ($24, came with lettuce leaves and some pickled veggies to make lettuce wraps), Rockfish Kebab ($31), Roast Chicken ($68 with couscous) and Lamb Kebab ($82, main kebab and four small kebabs). We would have gotten dessert but we were too full. They gave us small cookies with the check. We had enough leftover for a small lunch for two. Everything was delicious. Some particular standouts were the pita with za'atar seasoning, the salad with very bright flavors, the kibbeh naya (although we agreed that eating it as suggested, in a lettuce wrap with the pickled veggies, actually detracted from the flavor because the pickles were too strong and the tuna itself was so flavorful), the chicken with one of the best bites of chicken I've ever had, and the lamb kebab. We had a very nice table in the corner near the windows. Our server was good and friendly throughout. The only minor hiccup was one dish delivered by a different server who mumbled through the explanation. They packed up our leftovers for us and had them at the host stand to pick up - a nice touch. The only other downside was a 3% wellness fee (disclosed on the menu) which is entirely unnecessary; just raise your prices. Anyone paying $82 for a lamb kebob will also spend $84.50.
What an amazing experience.
I'm Palestinian and was proud to see the Palestinian heritage in almost every meal! Michelin star well deserved indeed; food was fabulous. Service was exceptional and the atmosphere was homey! We came out as a group of three and had to reserve well in advance on Resy. We were seated once we got there. Our server did a great job keeping us in sync with the menu. We ordered many apps and mains and will share details below: Palestinian olives 5/5: spicy yet so tasty Sfiha: 5/5 light yet elegant presentation and delicious bite with garlic. Garlic sauce; Arayis: 5/5 delicious snack indeed; simple Hummus and pita: what a combination, bread was phenomenal 5/5 Batata harra: exquisite 5/5 Wara2 dawali: my fav! Dip the pita in the dish sauce/liquid from the grape leaves 5/5 Chicken dish: not boneless but the maftoul was delish and the spices were on point 4/5 Knafe: well done chef! Not sure about the strawberry ice cream but amazing dish! 5/5 It would be nice for the postcards to have the name of the cities in the Middle East to bring it home for the customers! Checking out Yellow tomorrow but very happy we were able to visit this restaurant. Loved it, loved the experience and the overall service!
What can I say.
.. This is, hands down, one of the best dining experiences you'll ever have. Really cool vibe and the service was outstanding. We went with the Sofra option, which is essentially a chefs tasting menu where they bring you the best off their menu, plus a few other thoughtfully-crafted dishes. We weren't disappointed with a single dish, and each one was so unique and flavorful. Check out all the pictures to see what I mean! Whether it's a special occasion or you're just looking for an incredible dining experience, you have to try Albi!
Got food poising! Staff sucks, don't believe these reviews
Got food poising! Staff sucks, don't believe these reviews food looks nothing like the photos. I have had better Mediterranean food from the Pita Pit! Chefs cooking were not wearing gloves, mask or hair nets found a hair in my rice!
We did the sofra tasting as a belated anniversary dinner.
They were able to accommodate me as a vegetarian which was awesome! It is definitely a lot of food so make sure you're hungry. Staff were pleasant and attentive, and every course was fantastic.
Truly a spectacular dining experience! I did the Sofra
Truly a spectacular dining experience! I did the Sofra tasting and every dish was so well-done. The service was also great and the staff was kind in explaining everything. I would definitely come again to celebrate a special occasion.
Incredible service and good.
Everything was so nicely organized. Definitely get the lamb! 10/10 recommend for a high-class experience.
Orgazmic
I will make it quick. Is it expensive? Oh, yeah. But of was one of the best dining experiences I ever had in my life (not just DC, or the USA). We ate at the Hearth (Chef's) table where the food was cooked right in front of us. The dishes were exquisite, elegant and tantric. There was not a detailed missed in the cooking, design or a presentation. The Chef Michael Rafidi was there at all times guiding the crew. After your visit you understand why this a 2-star Michelin restaurant. My wife has all the pictures. Enough said. If you have questions - ask.
Exquisite
From the time we walked through the door to time we left was a pleasurable experience. Not pretentious but classy, warm and invitingโฆeverything from aroma, aesthetics and ambiance. Chef creates a dining experience that stays true to the regional dishes offered. Through sourcing, ingredients and flavors, he makes unpretentious dishes feel special. Simply done, perfectly executed. Service and staff were impeccable. It is obvious the entire team is invested and passionate about everything this restaurant represents.
I had the pleasure of having one of the best dining
I had the pleasure of having one of the best dining experiences here 2 weeks ago. The restaurant itself is very intimate in size, but beautifully designed. The kitchen is open and faces the dining area for an added open experience touch. I went with a group of 6, so we had a lot of dishes to sample. Highlights for me were the pita and hummus (my God, the pita)! I wasn't a hummus fan prior to coming here, but I'm now a believer. I ordered the lamb chop dish as my main course and it was divine. It was accompanied by just enough veggies on the plate to not need an additional side of vegetables. I cannot wait to go back! And as expected at an establishment like this, the service was top notch. Someone was always checking on us, refilling our glasses, anticipating our needs before we realized we needed something. 10/10 experience.
Incredible restaurant.
The service is amazing and the food is even better. This is the perfect spot for a special occasion. The food is flavorful and plated incredibly. I couldn't recommend the Sofra enough. I think this restaurant perfectly encapsulates middle eastern cuisine and fine dining. The drinks are unique but honestly not the best I have ever had. The service is wonderful and it is a very intimate space.
That may have been the best dining experience of my life!!
That may have been the best dining experience of my life!! My husband and I are beyond full and beyond happy we had the opportunity to experience such an outstanding dining experience! We also reserved a special table inside the kitchen so we got to watch as the cooks prepared all the food. The chef even came and did special presentation at our table. If you ever want to treat yourself Albi is a 1 Star Michelin Restaurant that truly deserved that star!! Everything was out of this world!! Some of the best food I have ever had the pleasure of eating! It was a 6 course tasting menu with everything from oysters and caviar, truffle covered egg yolk, and the best skewered lamb you have ever had. The dessert was ice cream made from yogurt and more! We are both in a literal food coma, and happy about it! Best night ever!!
The food was sublime.
The service was first class and the atmosphere was very pleasant. I would definitely come back again
This is an update to my review from 2020, which is mostly
This is an update to my review from 2020, which is mostly focused on the unfriendly welcome and service we initially received. My reservation was for a party of 5 and all but one person arrived on time. We were seated and immediately the waitress dove right into the menu. We started with a couple of appetizers and decided to wait to order our entrees, which for some reason annoyed her. A couple of minutes later a different waitress came to our table, and rudely told us we had to place our entire order right away because we had a 2 hour dining limit. Utterly confused and annoyed by the attitude, we politely told her we were going to wait to place our entree since we didn't know how hungry we would be after ordering all of the appetizers. As my friend was about to ask her a question about an entree, she took the menu away out of his hands and walked off! We were all in disbelief and couldn't believe the behavior of the staff. My friend immediately spoke to the manager and explained what happened and she immediately came over to apologize and reassured us that it was not typical behavior and she shouldn't have acted in such a manner. She wanted to make it up to us and turn the situation around, so she sent back our original waitress. Needless to say, the rest of the dinner went well and of course the food made up for the rude behavior. It still left a bad impression on all of us so we will not be returning. One of my favorite restaurants in DC is now no longer and I honestly hope they improve their staff.
Yummy, great Palestinian food.
I come here every time I get my nails done and Navy yard, and if I'm lucky when yellow is open, I go there in the mornings for coffee and treats.
Albi is okay.
The ambiance is nice but the no walk in concept when tables are open is weird to me. The food was just okay. It's on the expensive side and I didn't get the wow factor! Not sure if it's trendy and that is why it's sustained all these years but I do think they will need to get better with walk ins, why wouldn't you want to make more money? They are only open 5 days a week with a VERY limited menu. Nothing I ordered was worthy of a review. The mint was used too much and it literally ruined my palate. They add their own twist to traditional Mediterranean dishes, unfortunately that was not for me. Traditional food would have been nice the extra touches make for good presentation but the taste didn't do it for me.
I will be dreaming of this meal until I return for my next
I will be dreaming of this meal until I return for my next dining experience. I am so impressed with the vegan options here, the friendliness of the staff, and the overall experience. I did not make a reservation and luckily scored a seat at the bar by coming 15 minutes early and waiting for them to open their doors. The host sat my husband and myself and we were immediately greeted by Olivia at the bar. We let her know it was our first visit and she gave us a glossary for the menu in addition to the menu. I absolutely love the Albi made a glossary. It helps you understand the menu without having to bombard the employees with a countless number of questions. We ordered the smoked carrot kibbeh naya and mushroom hummus with no egg for our meal. Both items were phenomenal. The kibbeh naya was so light, refreshing, and colorful with the vegetables on the side to make lettuce wraps. I also thought it was fun having such an interactive meal with making the lettuce wraps have whatever toppings from the bowl you wanted. The hummus and pita was such a show stopper. The hummus came out fully puffed and stunning. The oyster mushrooms on top of the hummus were cooked to perfection. This meal tasted hearty and meaty with the mushrooms bringing so much texture and flavor. The hummus was silky smooth and balanced out the mushrooms well. The pita was coated in seasonings and was certainly the best pita of my life. We enjoyed sorbet for dessert and I wish every business made sorbet like this. The sorbet tasted like ice cream because it was so thick and creamy! It was topped with a date caramel that I wish I owned a whole jar of. The sorbet had a nice sweet and salty component and the presentation was stunning. I was so happy to dine at Albi and I have many more menu items to try. I am so thankful they could accommodate vegans. Additionally it was fun to try a Michelin star meal without breaking the bank. If you Judy get a few items you can have a fine dining experience without it costing too much.
When I visited DC recently, I wanted to take my hostess
When I visited DC recently, I wanted to take my hostess with the mostess to dinner. As we both like the finer things in life when it comes to dining and cocktails, I let her pick. She selected Albi, a Michelin-starred restaurant honoring Chef Michael Rafidi's Palestinian roots while marrying them with local, seasonal ingredients. We had a reservation, and opted to sit at the bar because it is always entertaining to dine at the bar. We ordered: +mushroom hummus +Yellowfin Tuna +Duck Breast Shish +Chicken We probably ordered other things too, but I cannot remember. I do however, remember that everything we had was great. For cocktails I ordered the NEVIZADE NEGRONI and the ZA'ATAR-TINI - both were super interesting and delicious. The entire experience at Albi was divine, from the service to the food to the vibes. The chicken was most definitely the most tasty and interesting dish I have had this year so far. I learned from a friend that "Albi" means "my heart" in Arabic, and you can most definitely taste that the recipes at Albi come from the heart. Would return in a heartbeat, as this spot made quite the impression on me this visit.
Certainly worth the wait given I had to book a reservation
Certainly worth the wait given I had to book a reservation for two people about 3 weeks out (to be honest I completely forgot about it until I got sent the reminder) Ended up doing the Sofra menu since I wanted to get a sense of what was what. I think if you have it in the budget, go for it unless you've been here before and know what you like. We also did the wine pairing which honestly had some of the most delicious wines I've ever tried. Not only were they fantastically paired but they also were incredibly unique and you can tell the sommeliers had a good time picking them out. Sat right next to the open kitchen and was impress by how orderly and well run it was. The service itself was impeccable and I'm not sure what the other reviews are complaining about. Maybe they got rid of one of their hosts...
Dinner in Washington, DC
Wow this place is hard to snag reservations on weekendsโfinally was able to secure Friday evening reservations for 2! Arrived a bit early so we grabbed a drink at the barโthe Zaโatar-Tini (vodka) and The Stronghold (bourbon) were tasty, we enjoyed it! Food was delicious, everything was well-flavored and huge portion! For appetizers, would recommend the Pita + MD Crab & Hummus and the Yellowfin Tuna. For entrees, we liked the BBQโd Warak Dawali, BBQโd Lamb Kebob and Duck + Foie Kefta. The only dish that was a bit unreasonably priced was the BBQโd Lamb Kebob, for $82, which was overpriced for that dishโgood but not enough to make it worth getting. Service was fantastic! Our server Jay-arr was greatโfriendly and attentive! Food came out fairly quick too. One thing to be aware, is the food menus can be a bit confusing with terms the average person doesnโt come acrossโthey provide a little dictionary card to help, but itโs still frustrating to keep looking back and forth from the menu and card.
Delicious! Chef Star holds true to standards at this restaurant, food was so fresh and scrumptious. Service was great .
We were visiting from Oregon and friends who live in DC highly recommended Albi and made reservations for us. We had no idea what to order and they ended up ordering for the table. The food was amazingโฆwe sampled so many things off of the menu; and I recommend all of it.
Fabulous!
We had dinner last week at Albi - the three of us agreed it was one of the very best all time dining experiences we have had. We were not familiar with the food and our server was terrific explaining dishes and giving us recommendations. We shared each plate--the delicious Sfeeha , then the homemade incredible Pita with a mushroom hummus and also the eggplant hummus- both unbelievable! This was followed by an unexpectedly delicious Fattoush salad of stone fruits and feta, lovely potatoes with a garlic aioli and we capped off the meal with the Smoked Bobo's Chicken which featured a fabulous sauce underneath. The seasonings were lovely -nothing overly spicy - truly perfection. The service was terrific and the chefs in the open kitchen were amazing to watch. It is no wonder this restaurant earned a Michelin Star! Hats off to the talented chefs and to the attentive servers and staff!
One of the Best Restaurants in DC
A fantastic spot for couples/friends/colleagues. Highly recommend doing the Sofra where the chef prepares food for your table.
Unbelievable service and the food is sooo good! We've
Unbelievable service and the food is sooo good! We've wanted to try this restaurant for so long and finally made ot
Did the chefs table experience and it was wonderful!!!
Did the chefs table experience and it was wonderful!!! Would recommend 10/10 on food quality, service, and ambiance. Perfect portions in each plate of the pre-fixed menu, paced over 2.5 hours. Cocktails are also great. Will be back!
The tasting menu at Albi was a great way to celebrate a
The tasting menu at Albi was a great way to celebrate a special occasion.We had dinner on the early side which was good because the restaurant was very light and airy work a vote of the woods burning oven. Plus, it was quiet for most of our meal. As the space filled up,it did get louder so again, for us, it worked out that they only had earlyreservations available when we booked. The service was very good and helpful. My only suggestion would be to include a listing of the courses one is about to enjoy. The staff did try and explain everything, but, with the masks and the increasing noise level, it was really hard to hear what we were eating. More importantly though, everything tasted great and looked beautiful. Though there was no written explanation of what we wouldeat/ate, there was an interesting glossary on the table with informationabout Levantine ingredients. The dinner was well paced and we never felt rushed or forgotten. I do know what we had to drink because we had a drink menu. We enjoyed rhymes with Saab and a nevizade negroni. Although both were good, my preference goes to the rhymes with Saab that was fruitier with a great tamarind and date combo. For our meal, to the best of my ability to describe.... We had something which was tasty and a very pretty yellow... Next was oysters (I rarely eat them which was evidenced by my slurping them from the wrong side and them getting stuck in their shell... I might have looked silly but they were still good. Next came toasty-things with a spread full of spices. The spices were my favorite part of the meal. They graced the fish and the naan and many of the dishes and tasted so fresh and delicious. Next was a lettuce wrap. It was also good but several of the components were chunks and chunks don't stay well inlettuce wraps. So, I just ate them separately when they fell out on to the plate or the table or my hand.... There were grilled mushrooms and silky hummus and puffy bread. Many of the dishes also had the perfect smokiness. I am normally not a fan of smoky but it was done so well at Albi. Small toucheslike the warm towel to wash your hands mid meal were very gracious and welcomed (see above about stuff falling out of the lettuce wrap and into my hands). I think the perfect couple of bites of the flaky fish were my favorite parts of the meal. After eating so much bread (yum!) we started getting really full and asked our server for boxes to pack up some leftovers. Instead, he took everything to the kitchen and brought back a coat check number that we could use to request it when we left. This was a lot nicer than having the boxes and bags sitting on the table. I think they might have even kept the food warm. I was bummed that I was so full whendesserts came because the first one (and I could only eat the first one,dessert number two came home with us) was beautiful and delicious. It was just the perfect parfait of cream and sweet and I'm not sure what but yum. Maybe if we had a copy of the tasting menu, we would have been able to better pace ourselves, but, everything was so good that I probably would have eaten just as much. Besides, mom always said not to fill up on breadbut these giant puffs of warm spiced naans - could not resist...
The food here really blew my socks off.
I'm new to the area and Albi was probably the best restaurant experience I've had in DC. Every dish was amazing- delicious, beautifully presented, well executed. My only complaints are that the tasting menu was really slow paced - we waited what felt like 15-20 min between courses and dinner on a weeknight took over 3 hours for a few courses - and parking is near impossible to find. I recommend the tasting menu if it's your first time. We'd definitely come back and order a la carte off the menu.
Good to try once
Been there several months back to celebrate friend's birthday. We were 3 gents and booked for tasting menu because that was the only option while we were doing online booking. So we were under impression that tasting menu is all they serve considering that they have Michelin as well. However we realized that is not the case once we arrived and there is a la carte option available. Hostess was not able to give proper answer for the issue we had from online booking. Anyhow we did not make a big deal out of it since tasting was good option to see the offerings. We sit at the bar had couple of drinks, bartender and drinks were great. And then moved to tasting table, location of it was good to see all the action happening in the kitchen. Tasting started well, good presentations, explanations etc as it supposed to be. However everything went down once restaurant started getting busy.. Time line between the courses increased, attention to tasting table was not there anymore.. When it comes to food; There was some dishes and presentations were extremely creative and tasty but somewhere below average and over kill.. This is of course might change for each individual however being Turkish and also staying in different Middle East countries for over 8 years. I am confident that Albi was not the best that i experienced. It doesn't of course mean that there is better options in Washington when it comes to Middle Eastern Cuisine however having Michelin star forcing me to judge them in the international level. There is much much better restaurants in Middle East with no star what so ever. Both from Culinary and Service perspective. Therefore good to try once, hard to crave and go twice..
4.5, rounding up. This is the kind of place that I'm drawn
4.5, rounding up. This is the kind of place that I'm drawn to and the menu is exciting to me. My better half joined me with high expectations and a willing spirit, which is all I can ask for, as it's definitely not his jam. Hostesses were kind enough to fit us in as a walk in due to cancellations that night. Emma our server was helpful as we reviewed the cocktail menu. We opted for ala carte vs fixed menu. The mushroom hummus with the egg on top was silky and flavorful and the pita piping hot and light. We also loved the eggplant spread. We selected the lamb because of all the great reviews and I really love it. Hubby was game to try but the flavors just didn't do it for him. I enjoyed the charred meat and flavor, it there was so much. Maybe an option for an half order given the price point? Also enjoyed the unique presentation and taste of the potatoes as well as the tuna kibbeh lettuce wraps. Deferring all desserts til after lent but they did look pretty spectacular at nearby tables.
Amazing meal! My husband and I started with the sfeeha
Amazing meal! My husband and I started with the sfeeha (open-face lamb pie with tahini), which may have been our favorite bite of the night. The mushroom hummus with pita made me mad at other hummuses. Why aren't they this good?? Then the sweet 'n sumac yams, wood-fired oxtail dolma, and smoked duck shish--all amazing, but I think my favorite was the dolmas. We were stuffed, but heard too many good things about dessert here and the labneh soft serve was worth the hype! Highly recommend Albi!
Beautiful place,great environment,very pleasant
Beautiful place,great environment,very pleasant people,,versatile food! We had an amazing experience with this restaurant and we will surely go back
We came for the Chef's Table and sat at the Hearth Table in
We came for the Chef's Table and sat at the Hearth Table in the kitchen. My wife who is a pretty picky eater entertained me with going and was cautiously optimistic. She ended up loving everything we ate, even though it was outside of her comfort zone. The service was amazing as well and we ate a ton of food. Watching the kitchen staff work in unison was a fun to watch as well as all the things they cook with open fire. I definitely recommend going and taking in the full experience of what Albi has to offer! What a great birthday meal and Chef Rafidi was nice enough to stop by and thank us for joining them in the kitchen.
Phenomenal all around
We recently ate at Albi to celebrate a 30th birthday dinner. Absolute perfection. The food is always on point and the service was top notch, despite dealing my obnoxious family. Shout out to Yumi, Patrick, Todd and everyone else in the team that made it perfect evening.
Connect with users posting reservations for Albi Washington
AppointmentTrader is a community-driven platform where users can exchange their reservations or leverage their personal relationships with Albi Washington. Buyers can make informed decisions using automated seller ratings, which reflect past transactions and reliability.
Each posting on AppointmentTrader shows you which user submitted it and along with that provides a trackrecord of that user which indicates how much experience
the user has and how many percent of their transactions resulted in them issuing a refund.
If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to Albi Washington at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the Albi Washington page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* DistinguishedTree58, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* DistinguishedTree58 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to DistinguishedTree58 for any questions Peter may have as DistinguishedTree58 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* DistinguishedTree58 now uses their connections at Albi Washington to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If DistinguishedTree58 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, DistinguishedTree58 receives the $200 reward which is credited to DistinguishedTree58's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at Albi Washington!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
