With dishes as eye-catching as heirloom tomato “fattoush" featuring apples, pears, preserved radish, and smoked feta; aged duck shish kabob; and hummus made with sea island white pea, spicy relish, smoky cabbages and whipped herb tahini, it’s definitely worth it to invest in the full “sofra” tasting experience at Albi. Chef/owner Michael Rafidi’s Navy Yard restaurant is the culmination of his Palestinian family roots, his childhood eating his grandparents’ home cooking, and his extensive restaurant resume. Albi means heart, and Rafidi’s heartfelt menu includes fun touches like labne soft serve. And if you’ve ever wondered what za’atar, Lebanese olive oil, and harissa would taste like in a martini, Albi is the place to find out.

Albi, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Navy Yard, is the place to take your date when you really need to prove you know how to plan a fun evening. The $125 tasting is served with piping hot pita that might be the best in the city, and if they give you the lettuce wraps with the carrot and tuna pastes, savor the crispy, flavorful goodness. If you want to be really impressive, book your dinner at the chef’s table and watch it get cooked over the wood-burning hearth.

Chef Michael Rafidi spent years at such prestigious spots as RN74 and Blue Duck Tavern, cooking anything but the Palestinian cuisine of his roots, before finally opening this Navy Yard restaurant that delivers on the promise of “a journey through Levantine cooking.” Think bok choy served with apricot honey, whipped feta and smoked peanut harissa or coal-fired tilefish with chermoula, serrano chile and tahini. An international wine program rounds out the offerings from this spot, pegged by the Michelin inspector as “hip and lively,” with just enough nostalgic notes to help diners truly understand why Rafidi named it Albi — Arabic for “my heart.

Easter Sunday is best spent surrounded by family, and Albi is giving guests all available options this holiday. They will be offering a night of Sofra with Chef Rafidi and his team on April 17, putting the best of Spring front and center with a semi-improvisational, family-style tasting menu. Reservations are available via Resy.If you prefer to entertain at home, pick up a family-style Levantine feast complete with finishing instructions for $95 per person.

Chef Michael Rafidi poured out his heart at his Navy Yard restaurant. But that’s not a joke; Albi means “heart” in Arabic, which is an interpretation of the chef’s Levantine roots that corresponds to his typical mixture of mezze plates and mashawi, dishes cooked on an open flame. Taste Mediterranean herbs with a touch, such as saccharin fattoush with pear and cucumber or sumac bok choy with honey, fried feta, and smoked harissa peanuts.

Chef Michael Rafidi pours his heart into his Navy Yard restaurant. That’s no joke, either; Albi literally means “heart” in Arabic, a nod to the chef’s Levantine roots that matches his signature mix of mezze plates and mashawi, dishes cooked over an open flame. Savor Mediterranean staples with a twist, like a saccharine fattoush with pear and cucumber or the sumac bok choy with honey, whipped feta and smoked peanut harissa.

Albi is a Michelin-starred Mediterranean restaurant in the Navy Yard district of Washington, DC. Albi means “my heart” in Arabic and features coal-fired dishes from the Levant region. As soon as we walked in, we were impressed by the modern decor, large windows, and amazing natural light. They serve meals a la carte family style, so it’s best to come in with a few people so you can try out more of their menu.

New and old coexist in DC’s Navy Yard – a redeveloped neighbourhood of waterfront parks, condos and leisure spots on the shores of the Anacostia River near the historic Washington Navy Yard. There, let the world fill your glass at Albi, the country’s one-star Michelin home of creative Levantine cuisine. It’s safe to say that a meal at this sunny spot will transform your view on hummus, lamb kabobs and pita.

Albi, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Navy Yard, is the place to take your date when you need to prove you can plan a romantic evening. The Sofra menu, a $125 tasting menu that is never exactly the same, is served with hot pita that might be the best in the city. Use the dimly lit room and noise as an excuse to snuggle close to your partner and feed each other.

If you’re searching to expand your palette and experience new flavors, Albi is the best Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant to visit in Washington, D.C. Award-winning Chef Michael Rafidi is drawing inspiration from his roots in the Levant region for his first solo restaurant. Albi is a newcomer to the dining scene having just opened before the pandemic.

We stumbled upon Albi for the first time just after it had opened. We didn’t expect much, but were blown away by the service, hot pita bread coming straight out of the oven, and of course, the lamb. Order the hummus for any pick eater kids, a few cocktails and get ready to roll home after one of the best meals in The Yards.

The former home of the legendary Ben's Chili Bowl is now home to Albi, one of Washington's newest restaurants. The space is bright and airy, with an open kitchen and an iconic mural. The menu they have is small and full of simple, classic Italian fare.

The new additions to the list are Michael Rafidi's Albi (Middle Eastern cuisine), Enrique Limardo's Imperfecto: The Chef's Table (Latin American cuisine), Rob Rubba's Oyster Oyster (vegetarian cuisine) and Johnny Spero's Reverie (contemporary cuisine).

There is a strong theme of sophistication that runs through many of the District's Middle Eastern restaurants. It's not a region of cuisines that Washingtonians approach casually. Restaurants like Albi bring the heat.

The most thrilling restaurant to open in the last two years?. The one we still tell all our friends to visit, stat?. This Navy Yard dining room from Michael Rafidi, which opened just before the pandemic began.

Albi, the Middle Eastern restaurant in Navy Yard, which inspectors call “hip and lively,” with dishes that are “full of surprises.