| Address | 4000 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Thu & Sun; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri & Sat |
| Phone | (202) 244-1330 |
| Fax | (202) 244-0330 |
| Website | http://www.cafeoledc.com/ |
Don't be put off with the ridiculous dish names (Turkish Cigars, Lebanese Celebration, Tel Aviv Nachos). A menu with this much goat cheese and grilled lamb on it cannot go wrong.
I ate at the cafe after a movie in Tenley one evening this week. It was crowded but everyone was seated in a reasonable time frame. My guest and I only ordered two dishes which came out incredibly fast. The hot lamb meze (Tagine of Lamb) was excellent with a glass of red wine. The balance of the flavors was perfect. The hot chicken meze ("Z" Provencal Chicken) was also very good. With "small dish" restaurants becoming so popular, it was great to have two dishes that were seasoned so well. That let me know that it is not just a trendy place trying to cash in on the latest fad (tapas, meze, etc.). It is definitely work a worth visit or three. I look forward to returning to try other dishes.
Caf Ole is yet another small plates place, but more like mezze, not tapas. Stylish and somewhat casual, it looks like a full-service restaurant but its not, so think twice about tipping in advance when you order and pay at the register. You not only pick your own table but may also get your own plates and silverware. Food comes when ready, and it is usually good-looking. A layered mushroom, tomato, mozzarella, and pesto combination arrived as an attractive monolith on the plate, swimming in oil, but the pesto seemed like it was from a jar (too finely ground), there were no fresh basil leaves (as advertised), and it could use a dash of salt to jack up the timid flavor. A spinach and feta tatin arrives in a crisp pastry shell, like a spanikopita, and is a good choice. The grilled pita chips that accompany the fresh-tasting black bean hummus taste like fried wontons and deliver much more flavor than most pita bread, and the addition of a handful of capers is welcome. Stay far away from the Spanish Gold, an ersatz paella that belly flops by featuring orzo, not rice, and a topping of mayonnaise making the mixture taste like Thousand Island dressing. The squid and ample amount of sausage cant save it. For lunch, Caf Ol has a number of paninis featuring quality bread, but some, such as the eggplant, are skimpy on the filling. Dessert? Choose it up front, like everything else.
Like the outdoors, when it's warm. Even though it's right on Wisconsin, not too noisy. They don't mind you lingering with little ordered.
Living next door, I have been to Cafe Ole several times now, and have never had a bad experience. I hesitate to describe the food as Mediterranian Meze. It's a mix of middle-eastern, Spanish, Greek, and even east-European cuisines. Don't bother with the Sangria -- I've noticed it being poured straight from a jug of Carlo Rossi behind the bar. But the food is reliably tasty, service is quick (perhaps too speedy for a small-plates Meze sort of meal) and they have a nice, inexpensive, non-Rossi wine list.
Pan-Mediterranean tapas and excellent desserts from Palais au Chocolat. Very pleasant outdoor seating.
Cafe Ole is a northwest DC gem. There are not many mediterranean restaurants in the area and thankfully, Cafe Ole's cuisine covers every region in the Mediterranean area. The schwarma is different but wonderful as are the salads and many other tapas. Go on a beautiful night, sit outside, and enjoy the music played on their patio. Cafe Ole also boasts an extensive wine list and great sangria.
This is a cute tapas place in NW with indoor and outdoor seating. The wait staff was great and they were group friendly. The price was reasonable but depending on how many tapas you order it could get pricey. The presentation was great but the food was very unique tasting. Something I wouldn't be into all the time. I recommend the Shish Tawuq and also the Moroccan B-B-Q Salad was awesome and if I dined here again I would just get this salad in entree size! Of the 6 we tried, the Chemoula Shrimp was the least liked and I actually just ate the shrimp from the top and left the rest sit. It was worth a try though.
Perfectly servicable tapas. Nothing mindblowing but fine for a quick bite before a movie. Tapenade was fine if a bit oily, polenta with truffle oil was tasty but a bit too thin in texture. I wasn't expecting much therefore I was not disappointed.
I thought it would be a tapas restaurant, but more like small entrees. We had three plus hummus, and with two people couldn't finish any of them -- 2 + bread would be plenty for two people, in which case would be a very good deal.
Everything tasted great.
Amazing restaurant! The food is incredible and there are tons of options, including combination platters so you can try several things at once. The servers are personable and willing to explain and/or recommend menu items. The interior is fun and the outside seating even better if the weather is nice. Great value: We had an appetizer sampler, two mezzes, and a pitcher of sangria for $45.00 (including tax and generous tip).
This is the greatest tapas place! There are a ton of options on the menu so even the pickest eater should be able to find something. I highly highly recommend the Lebanese Celebration, by far the best thing on the menu!! I've been there three times and have tried at least 14 menu items and the Lebanese Celebration is always the best. It's fun, affordable and tasty. Definitely worth eating at!!
Great value in a cheery setting. The onwer is a super nice guy and is a perfect spot for a pre or post movie (at 4000 WI Ave) snack. Has an interesting brunch menu and awesome black bean hummus. Don't miss the small plates -- tuna kabobs or the soups of the day. Also offers outdoor seating.
Cafe Ole is a perrenial fave for my group of friends when we want to get together, have a glass of wine, and just talk. The small plates are to die for, and there are enough veggie options to keep the vegetarians very happy. Great wine-by-the-glass program, and a lamb tagine with Israeli cous cous that I *must* have, every time.
