The 12 Best DC Restaurants For Special Occasions - Washington DC - The Infatuation

"Ilili is one of the city’s most beautiful restaurants—and the Lebanese food isn’t half-bad if you know what to order. Lush green vines and cages full of light-up birds hang around the glass-enclosed restaurant. Hand-painted Mediterranean tiles line the floor and in the middle of the dining room a stone water fountain trickles softly. Families and friends pull out their Sunday best to celebrate graduations and job promotions, but we like the Wharf spot for a romantic night out. Ditch the small plates and order the mixed grill, a combination platter big enough to share that includes chicken shish taouk, wagyu beef kebab, kafta, and lamb chops, all charred to perfection. And for dessert, get the toasted, honeyed knafe over the Ilili candy bar, no matter how much your waiter pesters you." - tristiana hinton, omnia saed, mekita rivas, allison robicelli