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It's a Michelin star restaurant for a reason and it lives
It's a Michelin star restaurant for a reason and it lives up the hype. In the foyer area you are instantly emerged into the Moroccan ambiance and the aroma of grilled food. The hostess gives you a introduction of the restaurant, the open grill and even the restroom location. Our table ordered the Tawle Menu which is pre-selected items served family style and was very satisfying. Our waitress, Molly and her team was very attentive and gave descriptions of every course we had. The drinks were great and the food was awesome . Definitely plan to return to try out otitems from the main menu.
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Maydan has now moved to a group prix fixe menu (the Tawle
Maydan has now moved to a group prix fixe menu (the Tawle menu) and it was honestly mindblowingly amazing. Everything about it was so, so good, and their wine selection is unique, delicious, and well priced.They bring you the meal in three waves and the portions depend on the number of people in your group. First were the spreads, the. halloumi, this crudite platter of pickled veggies, herbs, and dates, and four condiments. They tell you to mix and match everything with the bread (which they refresh as soon as it looks somewhat empty). Oh my goodness, that halloumi was so good, as was the walnut spread. Next come the roasted vegetables (carrots for us), which were roasted to perfection the tabbouleh, and the two kebabs (beef and chicken). I personally preferred the beef but both were so flavorful and so insanely juicy, and went so well with the condiments. Last was the ribeye (you can also choose the branzino, cauliflower or lamb shoulder), which was tender and charred and we couldn't stop eating it. AND you get dessert even if you're stuffed to the brim. It was my birthday so they did the candle, which was a nice touch.We were worried that with two people, the portions would be a lot smaller than the photos you see on Yelp but we were absolutely stuffed and took home leftovers (which they packed up super well). For $69, given the amount and quality of the food and the excellent service and ambiance, it was honestly a steal. We would have definitely done the wine pairings but given the portions of the food, we probably would've had to be carried home, so it's a good thing we didn't!You need reservations though--about exactly a month in advance because this place fills up (and I can see why)!
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Maydan, with its conspicuous door set down an unsuspecting
Maydan, with its conspicuous door set down an unsuspecting alley, is a culinary experience. My wife and I recently visited for our anniversary - we'd read great things about the restaurant and the Michelin star definitely got my attention. Our meal was incredible and our service attentive and friendly. Where I felt let down was in the evening's ambiance.I made a reservation through Resy and found that the restaurant communicated well, which I appreciated. Upon arrivingwe were seated quickly and waitstaff immediately walked us through the menu. We'd already decided to try the Tawle menu, and chose to order the lamb shoulder as out large plate. To drink, my wife tried a warm cocktail and I ordered the eclectic "do you trust us" wine pairing. Plates arrived at a comfortable pace, beginning with an array of amazing dips and spreads, crisp pickled vegetables, delightful baked cheese, and house-made flatbread. The second course included grilled chicken, a tabouleh salad, roast carrots with harissa, and nutty freekah. Already full, we watched as an impressive, perfectly spiced, fall-off-the-bone lamb shoulder was set down - proof that our eyes are truly larger than our stomachs. To finish, we shared a chewy-crunchy semolina cake with fruit compote. Throughout our meal, we thoroughly enjoyed an assortment of fascinating wines, each with a totally different character but perfectly complementing the dishes before us. Our meal at Maydan was a truly memorable one.Unfortunately, my memory of an outstanding meal was tarnished somewhat by less than outstanding ambiance. When I made a reservation 21 days in advance, I had imagined dining inside the beautiful restaurant. Unfortunately, we were seated outside in a tent. We were comfortable - the decorated tent was well heated and I understand that dining has irreversibly changed in the post-Covid era. However, atmosphere is a major component of a dining experience, and my high expectations were somewhat dashed. I now realize that seating for reservations is outdoors, and again, we had an overall great meal. But for those who really care about ambiance, be aware that the Tawle experience may not be for you.
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Good, but not worth the hype.
Had Maydan's tasting menu + lamb shoulder.
The food was delicious but Maydan didn't live up to its reputation.
The cocktails were delicious!
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One of the prominent examples of how initial hype is all
One of the prominent examples of how initial hype is all you need and quality doesn't really matter. for such a high end restaurant it is unacceptable that you fail the eggplant test and serve it par cooked. I know not to order eggplant in American restaurants but thought that for a luxury restaurant I'm safe to do it. When I sent the dish back, I got a replacement chickpea dish instead which was good, and feeling bad about what happened, I complimented the waiter for the flavorful Schug they had on it to which he responded "its actually called zoog". Sorry my mistake. finally, again, for such an expensive restaurant, it is unacceptable to have another cardboard pita of the type they serve in local falafel joints. you charge this much for a dish, go to the Middle East to learn how to make a proper pita, or just to local joints like Yellow or Muncheez that got it right. Dessert was uneatable banana cake, no relationship to the region the restaurant is inspired by. Too bad
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It's a good place, but I don't think it's at the level of
It's a good place, but I don't think it's at the level of other Michelin starred restaurants in the city. The food is delicious, however. I particularly enjoyed the halloumi and the ribeye steak. Service was attentive and provided us with good recommendations.I love the open kitchen/grill concept, but other than that the decors are pretty basic. I'd say typical contemporary, minimalistic style.
That fire in the middle is amazing ambiance. The drinks are creative, strong, and tasty. I could eat the warm they keep refilling for an entire meal. The dips are fantastic. I really love the chicken kabob and shrimp. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, always ready with a suggestion.
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We decided to try Maydan because it looked intriguing.
We were impressed by the decor and our table was down stairs next to where the magic happens. On the way we had discussed drink options and decided to go with the "Do you trust us" option, because we didn't know any of the wines they had listed. We were disappointed with this option. The pours were short and the wines were just so-so. Especially for $150 per couple. But, the food was over the top! Nothing we were served disappointed us! Especially the shrimp! The chicken was delicious as well. We decided that next time we will order the Rib Eye as it seems to be very popular. We brought home quite a bit of food! A definite hit!
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We had the most lovely meal here the other night.
Nestled in an alleyway this cozy restaurant is full of comfort and simple flair. We had to order from the Tawle menu which was fairly expensive, but delicious. The portions were enormous so I actually wish we could've done a scaled down tawle menu. They were out of a few wines, but our waiter made excellent suggestions. For me the star of the meal was the Ribeye, it is so perfectly seasoned, and the fenugreek took it to another level. My dining companions loved their Bronzino as well. I was not in love with the desserts- they had flavors I liked, but not completely there. Still a lovely night!
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Excellent food for a good price
Everything was seasoned to perfection, the atmosphere was welcoming but rustically beautiful the outside was also quite nice, and had heaters so it wasn’t too cold. The food was incredibly packed with flavor which it some of the best food I’ve ever had!
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Really good food, drinks and ambiance - their Tawle menu is
Really good food, drinks and ambiance - their Tawle menu is meant to be enjoyed family style and it was plenty of food. Only thing is there was a small water leak right above my friend's chair that they had no solve for.
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I can't say enough positive things about Maydan! The food,
I can't say enough positive things about Maydan! The food, drinks, service, and experience are incredible. This is by far my favorite restaurant in DC. I highly recommend doing the experience menu because you get a taste of everything with enough food to feed you the next day. You can't go wrong with any of the drinks but the Mediterranean G&T is flawless!
I’d wanted to check out Maydan for several years and finally made it there for my birthday this year. The experience did not disappoint! Every course was absolutely delicious. The muhamarra was the best I’ve ever had. The ribeye was cooked to perfection. The tabbouleh salad was probably the most underwhelming, but only because it was next to so many other amazing things. All of the waiters were knowledgeable and helpful. I definitely plan on going back.
Truly amazing experience for our first time at a Michelin star restaurant. We got the bronzino with the Tawle experience and the “do you trust us?” wine pairing. I’m not sure I’d need the wine pairing again, but they were definitely unique wines I wouldn’t have normally tried and worked well with the food. Service was great (there were a lot of staff) and we left positively stuffed, with some leftovers as well. Don’t fill up too much on dips at the start, because there are two more sets of food coming!
Simply one of the great dining experiences. Tucked away in a warehouse at the back of an alley, the dining room is hidden by a door that, once opened, finds a vibrant space with a fire pit centrally placed for the chefs to operate. The 2 hour experience is magical, the Middle Eastern delicacies brought out at pace. And the lamb. The lamb. THE LAMB! There is also a great selection of wines from Lebanon to complement the dining experience.
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Go down a long alley to a big wooden door.
Looks like maybe a shed for some old car. No sign. Must be the wrong place. Open the door. A tightly packed little room for reception desk. A somewhat bizarre old cloth covered door is next. Wait. They open to seat you. Suddenly a large packed bustling 2 floor restaurant with fire pit searing and roaring and the beautiful young crowding the bars and tables on dates. The food is deceptively simple but exquisite. The condiments from whipped garlic to raw radishes and sublime middle eastern sauces. The chickpeas and olive oil. Perfectly charred lamb kebobs and chicken. Craziest wine list I've seen anywhere from Mexican and Brazilian bubbly to Bekaa Valley wine where the hashish growers turn to vintners to a South African wine created by a black woman pioneer. The staff and food are a riotous fusion of different cultures leaning towards the Middle East region. The place is not cheap and they'll add a service charge before even the requested 'Tip. The atmosphere is wonderful and fun and the endless little dishes are sublime. The fire pit roars. Best food I've had in DC.
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The food here absolutely amazing and flavorful.
Definitely a place to recommend especially if you have a good group of people to go with so that you can try a bit of everything. Their lamb kebab and koobideh have a great texture and are super juicy. Moreover their harissa sauce and Shanklish spread go super well with it. I actually really enjoy their Harissa so much that I often still think about it. My only criticism is that the herb plate is only a small amount of mint, parsley, radish, and scallion but it costs $11. It definitely goes well with the food but to charge $11 those few sprigs feels a bit too much. Otherwise, a fantastic place that I would definitely go back to.
No price shown on the menu. Had the $75 wine pairing. Bill came to $600 for 4 of us. Interesting wines, small amount poured for the price.
I had been wanting to try this place for years, but it was always really tough to get a reservation. But recently they started releasing reservations at a different time and I was able to get one for my friends and me just as they released them. Well worth the effort!! We were there this past Thursday and it was a fantastic meal. We had the Tawle meal, whereby they just start bringing you everything. Our server was knowledgeable and so was the sommellier, who recommended us some great wines. Every dish was great and we loved the branzino and ribeye we were served. The dips were delicious and loved the kabobs. We were full!! Already have reservations to return in a few weeks when friends are in town. Highly recommend and so glad I was finally able to go!
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Splendid food, atmosphere and service but pricey and disappointing drink pairing.
3/5 by
Nico on 09/09/2022
Splendid food, atmosphere and service. The setting is unique and beautiful. The overnight sous-vide lamb shoulder (+$20 pp) was one of the best cooked meat I've had in a long time. However, the drinks ($75 "Trust us" pairing) were surely "interesting" and "special", but watery, small servings and disappointing overall. And why is there a "service fee" of 8% (actually 11%, since we pay tax and tip on it as well) and it's not simply included it in the price? These hidden "taxes" are ridiculous.
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Finding the entrance is a fun game of where's waldo.
. there are signs that helped, however I did watch an older couple struggle to find it so it may not be obvious to everyone! When you enter you've been transported to a different world. You know your experience here will be special. My partner and I showed up (with no reservations) right at 5 on a Wednesday and were seated right away at the bar. The bar is definitely not for everyone, it is right next to the fire so if you are sensitive to heat I would opt for the ends of the bar or attempt to book a reservation weeks in advance. Now for the food and drinks! Every single bite was an amazing dance on our tastebuds. We ordered a la carte, got all the dips, the bread was endless, and the flavors were epic. I would eat a thousand more of those Omani Shrimp The Gold Experience soda cocktail is a MUST HAVE if you like pineapple. The Lebanese Blonde was also a favorite. We tried a couple other cocktails that were good as well! And our server handed us champagne on the house to celebrate our anniversary. Service was fabulous! Everyone is working together to make everyone's experience one to remember.
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"Maydan" experience completely lowsy.
1. We had reservations at 9p and arrived on-time. As soon as we were seated our waiter told us we had to put in our order as the kitchen was closing soon -- the restaurant dining hours on their website says Tue-Sun 5:00pm-10:30pm. The reservations also remind you that your reservation is for 2 hours of seating.2. We were told we could only order from the Tawle menu which is a $55 pp. We had to ask for the a la carte menu and they "granted" us a one-time exception.3. We asked about an item and did not order it but it still came to the table and our waiter told us we ordered it when we did not.4. Must read the fine print online as their menus state that an 8% service fee is automatically charged AND a 12% fee for 6+ guests per table.
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Dined at the bar the first time I went and tried the Tawle
Dined at the bar the first time I went and tried the Tawle experience the second time. The food took 40 mins to come out and some things were good and other werent. Do come with some money because it is very overpriced.
2/5 by
C K. on 07/23/2022
Lack of communication. Rushed dining. This isn't what I expected when I brought out of town guests to DC for a fun night out. The good: walking into the restaurant. When the door opens and we walked in it was like being transported to a different, exciting place. The bathroom is covered with bright blue tiles and has a gold color sink faucet in the shape of a swan. The food was good, nothing memorable. I'm not sure why the spread/dip we ordered didn't come with any bread. The bad:As we ordered drinks were told the kitchen closes 30 min after our reservation time. The server was snippy and rude and rushed us through our meal. We got the feeling we were imposing on our server and it really put a damper on the experience, especially when the meal isn't cheap and there is a service fee added in addition to the tax and gratuity. We won't be back. But I do like that faucet.
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Really fantastic food, we did the Tawla with the fish and
Really fantastic food, we did the Tawla with the fish and it was all awesome. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because fiancée and I love cocktails, each ordered two here, and they were good but not up to the same standard as the food Ambiance was great too, the huge coal oven in the middle was very cool to see them working on, and I appreciate the music? lighting and decor as well
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I really wanted to like Maydan given the reviews I've seen,
I really wanted to like Maydan given the reviews I've seen, my love of middle eastern cuisine, and the Michelin star they supposedly earned, but the sad truth is, they never overcame that first five minute impression. I tend to be pretty forgiving about first impressions, especially since I know five minutes isn't enough for a fair estimation of persons, places, nor things. However, the sustained low quality of service, food, and atmosphere certainly didn't deserve the $100+ premium that Michelins tend to easily command. To be fair, we were outside seating where bugs can't fully be controlled, but also to be fair, we were paying the same price that insiders were so they could have lit the citronella candles to at the very least keep the bugs out of our faces. It would have been nice if they had the items on their menu in stock. It would have been nice to have regular check ins on my dinner club asking about our comfort level with the summer heat. It would have been nice to have waiters who were eager to tell us about the dishes we were going to experience. But alas, these were not to be found during our patronage. I am being a little more nitpicky here since this is an establishment that was assessed and approved as Michelin worthy. But my above comments are what you usually get simply from bib gourmand or even just honorable mention restaurants. Michelin means knowledgeable experience curators who take pride in professional services. It means providing menus refined by experience in knowing how guests progress and respond to various dishes; what foods compliment the pallet for optimized taste and digestion. It means reading the emotional level of the party you're over such that you offset the negative and increase the positive. It's being aware of and able to cultivate a reputation that goes beyond just ads in a paper. It means going word of mouth viral. These were not elements I perceived throughout my experience.I will note that I experienced something very similar at Rose's Luxury where outside seating received non-Michelin level treatment. Not as a bad as Maydan, but certainly noteworthy. So I'm hoping there's not a broader trend where outside Michelin dining still pays the same but are forgotten as though the facility can rest on the laurels of status achievement to justify lesser quality. I have been to other establishments dining outside where there is no difference, or even better, so I know outsiders can still get what they pay for.In conclusion, I'm not sure if my first impression was what the Michelin folks saw, but as for me and mine, Michelin service it was not!
It started pouring and we were sitting outside in the covered area. Our server had to bear the rain but still did so with energy and a smile. Food was delicious. I'd recommend the ribeye and branzini as the main dishes. Lots of food for the tawle experience. Highly recommend
Heard that they have a la carte menu before. Maybe worth a try if they ever bring that back. But the so called 'tasting menu'? What a joke
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Food was absolutely amazing, would go back again.
Service was top notch and professional. Hostess service need some improvement. We got there on time but they had to do the non-sense "will seat you shortly, please wait outside" which actually was kinda rude. then only 5 minutes later (which proves that the table had been available all along but they had to do the usual waste of time game) again also dude m, she seats us at a table upstairs right where the bar is and where the register is, where the waiters put in order- high traffic area servers constantly walking around us with drinks and plates, where there was a perfectly more quiet better table with booth seating a few feet away. We ended up requesting to change the table, which she should have sat us at in the fist place. Hostess service need some upgrading. Maybe more professional less high-school look and treatment, especially for a high end place like this.
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Your uber lets you out near a few bars.
You walk onto the sidewalk, confused as ever! Only to find this hidden gem tucked away down the alley! You are welcomed by a beautiful door that looks like it came from a far away land! Welcome to Maydan! This place transports you to the Mediterranean. From the ambiance to the food, and more. Customer service was incredible, drinks were fantastic. My favorite dish was the grilled cheese. Halloumi, I believe. The cauliflower was amazing as well. Its huge, so share. Skewers were great, prawns were good. Everything was so yummy! AND BEST PART, they have 1 Michelin star! I will be back!
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Dined at the bar the first time I went and tried the Tawle
Dined at the bar the first time I went and tried the Tawle experience the second time. The food was good but do come with some money because it is very overpriced.Overall the food was a 7.5/10Cake was 5/10
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The food was excellent, as was the atmosphere.
-The $75 price point for the Tawle menu felt much too high; $50 felt more appropriate. Our total bill (with two drinks, the lamb shoulder upgrade, and tip) was almost $300, which seemed extreme for a menu in which everyone in the place was eating the same, pre-set stuff with no customization. Price point was my primary issue with the experience; the food was not so superior to renditions I've head at other Middle Eastern restaurants that it justified that high of a price point. -The website was misleading in that it showed both "A-La Carte" and "Tawle" menus, but only Tawle was available when we went.-I do not eat cheese, and the restaurant would not provide a substitution for me for the halloumi cheese dish. I thought that was uncalled for given what we were paying.-The dessert (banana date cake) was good, but a scoop of ice cream would have really tied it together more.-For the dessert course, given the spirit of the Tawle menu, an offering of mint tea or Turkish coffee felt really missing.
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Last Reply by CelebratedStreet63 (03/15/2023 4:29 pm)
5 Replys, 2 comments
It can be under your name or a name you choose! Some reservation offers already include the AppointmentTrader Transfer Service which will transfer the reservation in to your name. If its not included you can add it on after buying the reservation for a small fee. One thing on that though: As many reservations become available at last minute, taking a reservation in someone else name is quick and great for privacy. Most reservations on AT are listed with a virtual phone number, so all you need to do is present the phone number at the hostess stand and you are good to go!
Best answer by ColorfulRod45 (07/09/2021 5:17 pm)