Albi, *, Washington DC

Tonight’s dinner tonight at Albi in Washington, DC, easily my favorite restaurant in the city and one I’ve now visited four times. This was our first time not ordering the sofra and going a la carte. The recent renovation looks fantastic; the space feels more connected to the kitchen, with a nice flow, yet still intimate, with that same wood-fired warmth from the open hearth.

We started with the Maryland Blue Crab on hummus, topped with brassicas cooked over embers and a serrano-tatbili sauce. It’s one of my favorite combinations on the menu, the smokiness of the hummus and heat from the peppers balance the sweetness of the crab perfectly.

The Lamb Kabob from the mashawi section was a showstopper: tender loin and smoked belly marinated in dill yogurt, layered over carrot mutabal with fermented chili honey and charred turnips. Every element felt deliberate and beautifully executed, and very shareable.

To lighten things up, we had the Salata Arabiya, a refreshing mix of little gems, corn tahini, grilled peppers, and smoked shanklish. It was crunchy, sweet, smoky, and tangy all at once.

For dessert, we shared the Mahalabiya — milk pudding with grapes, coconut, and pomegranate granita. A great balance of creamy and bright, and a perfect way to end the meal.

Service matched the food, attentive without being overbearing, and the pacing was spot on.

Overall I’d give Albi a 9.5 out of 10 for both food and service. Chef Rafidi continues to make Albi one of DC’s most consistent and thoughtful fine dining experiences, with each visit showing subtle evolution without losing its soul.

full menu ordered:
maryland blue crab on hummus – brassicas cooked over embers, serrano, tatbili
bbq’d lamb kebabs – loin and smoked belly shish, dill yogurt, carrot mutabal, fermented chili honey, charred turnips
salata arabiya – little gems, corn tahini, grilled peppers, smoked shanklish
mahalabiya – milk pudding, grapes, coconut, pomegranate granita