Walking into Sababa from this cluttered NW DC stretch of Connecticut Avenue is like entering an exotic lounge, lined with geometric mosaic tile and scented with roasting meat and honey. The bartender is creative, using Mediterranean touches like pomegranate, charred lemon and pistachio, but foraging into uncharted territory with flavors like sumac and orgeat (which is, according to Wiki, "a sweet syrup made from almonds, sugar, and rose water or orange flower water"), but he'll also gussy up your old standard.
We can make a meal from pita and the house-made hummus -- there's a rotating special flavor -- a veggie small plate and a kebab or two, but consider the lamb shank, over tomato flavored bulgar (careful if you're gluten-sensitive, they aren't at all open to substitutions) with fennel, or the half roasted chicken. The flavors from the roasting oven take everything that comes from it up a notch, and the knowledgeable, enthusiastic server helped us navigate the menu and steered us to the right choices.
Find your way with 101 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"GoodWood" in Washington DC looks like a general store, but it holds many vintage treasures. It's like an antique store that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Everyone's been to "Cafe Citron" in Washington DC - for the lovely South American food, the free salsa lessons & Spanish conversation practice happy hour!
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"Bombay Street Food 3" in Washington DC features Indian and Indo-Chinese foods. Its street food versions have less heavy cream and more spice & herbs...
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What do Langston Hughes, Tallulah Bankhead, Ezra Pound, Roald Dahl and John F. Kennedy have in common? Find out at "DC Writer's Homes"...
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There are a lot of places to dance salsa in DC, but "The Salsa Room" is one of my favorites. I like how patrons who show up are really here to dance....
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"East Potomac Golf Links" in DC is probably my favorite place to play golf in the whole world. The view is amazing - and it's surprisingly affordable!
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"Hill Center DC" is an events facility with all kinds of activities, from wine tastings to ASL & cooking classes. It's a real under-the-radar location!
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"The Bullpen" in DC is a great outdoor venue to go and hang out. I like going when they have special happy hour during Nationals home baseball games...
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There's an ultimate frisbee pick-up game that's been going on for years in a park across from the Pentagon City Mall in DC. It's so friendly and laid back there!
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"Port City" isn't just one of my favorite beer companies locally in Washington DC, it's one of my favorite beer companies ANYWHERE. Try their porter...
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The "Canal Park Ice Rink" in Washington DC is somewhat of a hidden gem in a quiet neighborhood but w/ plenty of nice things to do around...
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