Crisp & Juicy, multiple outlets [WaPo | 10Best | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Citysearch | Gayot]
(Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window)
Many of my readers like these places, I have yet to go.
I’ve never had really convincing Greek food in this country outside of Queens. I recommend Germany, of all places, for Greek food.
Other Greek places: A correspondent recommends the following:
Taco Jalisco, 8645 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA, 703-360-1253, Rt. 1, near Fort Belvoir. A reader recommends this as a good hole-in-the-wall place. I have yet to go. I believe there are other worthwhile places nearby.
Also recommended to me are
Caveat emptor, but do let me know what you think, I bet at least one of them is good.
Penang, web site, 1837 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-822-8770 (on the corner of 19th and M Streets NW, just down the block from Malaysia Kopitiam) (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Also 4933 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-2878, Bethesda branch has better hours. [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Pretty good, but not as good as the sister branch in New York City (Penang: 109 Spring Street, New York, NY, 212-274-8883; Nyonya: web site, 194 Grand Street, New York, NY, 212-334-3669).
It’s still the best Malaysian you’re likely to get this side of Asia, so count your blessings. Some of it is too sweet for me and not spicy enough, but sometimes rigorous instructions can overcome this problem.
Malaysia Kopitiam, web site, 1827 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-833-6232 (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
DC location CLOSED – open in Centreville, VA, Location
You can’t go wrong with Malaysian food, but once you know its peaks, all these places are disappointments. I love Malay and Malaysian food, but not in the U.S. This place is OK, but best for those who don’t know the real thing. “Kopitiam,” by the way, means something akin to “coffeehouse” in Malay. Real Malaysian and Singapore coffeehouses are quite a different breed, get their incredible toasts and snacks.
Levante, web site, 7262 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD, 301-657-2441, also 1320 19th Street NW, Dupont Circle, Washington, DC, 202-293-6301 [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Some of the dishes here are OK, but if you like this place you are reading the wrong food guide. Ethnic food for yuppies with bad taste. Let’s hope that’s not you.
Mama Ayesha’s, web site, 1967 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-5431 (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Recommended by Washingtonian magazine, dates from the 1950s, I am suspicious.
Cedar Cafe, web site, 6409 Shiplett Blvd., Burke, VA, 703-455-7080 (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [Yelp]
Recommended to me, I haven’t yet been, a Lebanese person emailed me and said their Tabouleh was excellent.
Pita House, web site, 407 Cameron Street, Old Town, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-1118 (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
One of my favorite places in Old Town, and one of the best Lebanese places around. Very reliable, and will prove outstanding comfort food for many. Get the dishes with the yogurt sauce, most of all, but you can’t go wrong here.
Meze, web site, 2437 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-797-0017, near Columbia Road (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Middle Eastern appetizers, broadly Lebanese, main courses at your peril.
