Villa Yara is a beautiful restaurant in the Georgetown section of Washington, DC that brings one back to Beirut in the glory days of the seventies. Located in a town house with a delightful back garden and soothing interior. The second floor is space for private events.

What I adore about Villa Yara is that I felt like I was entering a friend’s home. The staff is extremely friendly, and the food is homemade good. Villa Yara’s mezza style dishes are meant for sharing. Whether you order the cold or hot mezza’s you will be in for a treat.

We had Fattoush, tabouli, baba ghanoush, spinach pies, kibbeh and we shared a shish taouk platter which comes with rice with lentil & fried onions. Each dish was beautifully presented on floral porcelain or in glass goblets for a home style feel. The attention to detail is fantastic.

The food is fresh and very tasty. Villa Yara has their own interpretation of these classic dishes, but they remain true to their roots. We dined in the garden with a lovely fountain in the middle and flowers throughout I felt transported to a balmy summer night in the Middle East.

I look forward to returning so I can try more dishes and have another memorable experience.