Georgetown
3206 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-333-6353
(just off Wisconsin Avenue)
Neyla's: Jewel of Georgetown
My new place to get away from it all is now Neyla's. Tucked
away off of the bustling streets of M St., this trendy restaurant
has it all; ambiance, cocktails, and great food. Although small
in size compared to other DC restaurants, the GM bends over backwards
past the caddy hostesses to try to cater to every entering guest.
Adding tables, scrambling for chairs, he miraculously is able to
seat everyone even on the busiest nights. Gracious as he is accommodating,
he alone is what makes this restaurant stand apart from others
with his genuine hospitality.
The music is a touch too loud, and the lighting is a bit too
dark after the sun goes down, but the overall ambiance is still
great. The darkness casts a mysteriousness over the restaurant
and the tucked away seating inside is perfect for people watching
as guests leave and enter.
Dining during restaurant week, a special menu was set apart
for the event's participants. Having had extensive experience
with Middle Eastern cuisine, I found that the hommos and the
baba ghannoug were a bit too lemony for my palate. My favorite
dish on the menu was the braised lamb. The eggplant puree and
manchego cheese were a perfect sharp and slightly tangy accompaniment
to the succulent lamb. The chicken shish taouk stood out with
its strong garlicy-shalloty flavor, but dipped with the yogurt
sauce gave the
perfect creamy and tart bite that I love in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Cocktails at this place are also outstanding. These creative
concoctions stand apart from the standard cosmopolitan and fruity
vodka mixes that most places feature. A must try is the Lebanese
beer; smooth and crisp like a light beer but surprised me by
not providing a slight bitter finish.
Will I come back to Neyla's? Without a doubt. With its eclectic
menu featuring dishes all over the Mediterranean, there are plenty
of surprises for me to try each time I come.
-Tan (08/14/08)
Our review: Neyla offers excellent Lebanese/Mediterranean food in a very
stylish setting. Their décor inside is dark but the candles
and exotic lighting fixtures complement people who dine there
as well as friendly waiters. The outside terrace area is decorated
with light-settings and is well laid out with plants and umbrellas.
Though the tables inside are attractive, I felt that it was way
too cold with air-conditioning. So we were seated on outside
terrace, which was indeed lovely.
Their mezza dishes (about $6 to $13) offer traditional Lebanese
specialties. Neyla's Baba Ghannoug is the best I have had in
Washington. Their Falafel is large and well-prepared. The "Lebanese
Tasting," which consists of six mezza items for $20.95,
is ideal for people who want to try variety of Neyla's mezzas.
Their charcoal grill dishes (about $17 to $30) are also very
good. The meat is seasoned just right and very juicy — no
dry kebob here! The individual portions are not large, but they
were just enough.
The service at Neyla is excellent. Our waiter was helpful and
he made sure to let us know when the kitchen was closing so we
wouldn't go home hungry. Overall, Neyla is an excellent Lebanese
restaurant in the Georgetown neighborhood.
-FODC (05/12/04)
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