Woodley Park: Lebanese Taverna

We all know it (you may pass it on your commute)…that stretch of Connecticut Avenue in Woodley Park with multiple well-priced fast casual, chains and just-this-side of respectable (and ever changing) restaurants catering mostly to the 2,000 plus hotel rooms in the near-by Marriott and Omni Shoreham hotels.  But allow yourself to do a double take because there is a stand-out: The now nearly 30 year-old outlet of the Lebanese Taverna group at 2641 Connecticut Avenue, NW.  This cavernous spot, still glowing from a successful renovation in the last decade, is a popular and value-laden respite.

Attentive service, authentic eastern Mediterranean fare, and good value have always marked Lebanese Taverna as the place for a celebratory meal or a catch up with colleagues and comrades. The Happy Hour Sleuths grabbed the couch and low tables at the bar for an exploratory adventure with visiting friends with deep Lebanese roots and G&J, our honorary HH sleuths.

Kadi, our bartender, wasted no time in getting us set up with our beverages.

Playful takes on some classic cocktails find their way onto the happy hour special list.  Anise-flavored liquors are to be found all around the rim of the Mediterranean, but the Lebanese Arak is a potent clear spirit on the opposite end of its Italian cousin, Sambucca, in sweetness and viscosity. It’s inclusion in the Beirut Mule makes for a refreshing summer drink, served in a frosty Collins glass.

Good rail liquors ($6 for standard mixed drinks) and $5, wines and beer will keep you hydrated.

The organization of the HH menu scales you through drink and food choices by dollar amount. Waste no time, get to the right side of the menu and order the Endless Hummus to go with your opening drinks. Hummus is “hot” now in the DC dining scene, with multiple establishments elevating it to composed, entreé worthy centerpieces, but you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than this smooth-as-silk rendition. Topped with whole chickpeas, olive oil and spices, it is the perfect complement for the fresh-made, warm pillows of bread that will become your scoop of choice. Our visiting daughter of a Lebanese mother pronounced it superior and her help was invaluable as we navigated other HH food choices. The menu tilts to fried but with a Mediterranean twist: kibbe (spiced meat and bulgur mounds – yum!), “camel” wings, seasoned potato fries, etc. The cone basket of friend calamari distinguishes itself with bright counterpoints of fried bits of lemon and capers. An order of the cucumber studded Tzatziki will compete with your hummus for scooping rights, but will also serve as a sauce accompaniment for other items.  Don’t forget some sliders, in choice of lamb, beef or chicken – a super value at $5 per order. Our only disappointments with food fare were the Fatayer pies (too long in the deep-fryer) and all the accompanying tomato sauces, which could have used a bit of a kick.

Lamb sliders, calamari and fried pies

“camel” wings

Endless Hummus and bread

If you still feel hungry, post Happy Hour, the regular menu will allow you to continue on a journey through a variety of Mediterranean delights.

Overall, this is a high value-for-money, good food and drink Happy Hour stop on this busy block of Connecticut Avenue.

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours:  Monday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m.  Fills in quickly with a lively, diverse crowd.

Bathrooms:  Easily accessible, gender neutral and extra sinks!

Transportation:  Directly across the street from the Woodley Park Metro (Red), Connecticut Avenue bus lines, etc.  Validated self-parking is also available in the garage directly behind the restaurant.

Accessibility:  A favorite of our honorary HH sleuths, G&J, as the wheeled vehicle access is easy and the nearby garage parking a plus.  For HH, there is only one group of low tables but as the regular dining room is also next to bar area, additional low seating would be available.