The highlight of this trip to DC: Lapis.
Located in the Adams Morgan area not too far from the Woodley Park Metro Station this was my first experience with Afghan cuisine. It did not disappoint.
We dined alfresco since the temperature had moderated a bit on an otherwise sweltering day. It is a lovely space just beside the main entrance to the restaurant.
Since we were new at this we followed our waitstaff’s recommendations. Started with a cocktail…the Afghan Mule…one of the best I have had. Then it was on to a tasting flight of starters….bolani…Afghan flatbread with beef and leaks, sambosa….philo with shrimp, beef and spinach, a shamee kebab, shore-nakhot…a lovely cold soup of chickpeas and potatoes and last but not least…..pakowra. All excellent with wonderful flavors.
The mains…if you can call them that…think Afghan tapas….were the dumplings and mixed grill kebabs. Of the meats in the mixed grill, standouts were the chicken….wonderful spices and the lamb. A special word about the dumplings…have them…no questions asked! We had the aushak which consisted of leaks, beef and lentils and the flavors were again amazing.
After this experience it is easy to understand why the spice trade existed and why Europeans went the distance to obtain them.
The service was excellent!
A must experience.
