ilili DC

The Soulful Lebanese Restaurants That Bring Together DC's Immigrant Community | Condé Nast Traveler

"At The Wharf, this stylish Lebanese restaurant channels the culture of an old home in Beirut with blue floor tiles and hand-embroidered upholstery sourced from Lebanese artisans, glass walls that open to a courtyard anchored by a burbling limestone fountain wreathed by citrus trees, and a menu that takes nostalgic Lebanese flavors and gives them a modern twist: classic mezze sit alongside playful riffs like hummus topped with Maryland crab-falafel, smoked beets with whipped labneh and burrata, duck shawarma to tuck into pita pillows, and Bluefin tuna nayyeh with pomegranate broth, cured cherry plumcots, and smoked jalapeño. Communal dining guides the experience with large-format platters such as a mixed grill of chicken shish taouk, beef kebab, kafta, and lamb chops served with Lebanese salsa verde, lemon, toum, and harissa." - Layla Khoury-Hanold