Tabaq Bistro

by Melissa P.

I chanced upon Tabaq Bistro for brunch while nursing a hangover with my closest girlfriends and while I am normally conservative on my Brunch choices in attempt to maintain my statuesque figure I threw caution to the wind and ordered their chicken and waffles. It was a food-gasm to say the least. The waffles offer a delicious balance of warm soft goodness with a satisfying crisp around the edges, coupled with the perfectly battered and fried chicken and smother it generously with warm maple syrup and you've got the stuff dreams are made of- and it would have to be to get me out of bed on a lazy Sunday....

by Krisztina F.

I've been here a few times in the span of the past couple of years, and my best recommendation, while the food is fairly tasty, don't bother...go elsewhere for cuisine, then go for drinks on the top floor.  It's one of the only places around U-street that harnesses the power of a potent city view.Here's the thing, it's not like it's not a good offering in the food department, but the service will have you tearing your hair out.  If you're starving, just order an appetizer and a little drinkie-poo, and you'll be far less frustrated.  Go late, sit back, relax, and enjoy the romantic ambiance and the city vista.

by Yasmin E.

AMAZING!  Such a quaint little place to experience good food, a romantic view/setting and such simplicity....all in one!  Sure, I was out of breath after trecking up the three flights of stairs, but I was astonished to find how darling this place was.  My dinner date was on a Sunday evening, so my experience may be different than those who are posting based on Friday or Saturday reservations.  This place isn't huge and the tables are literally side by side.  There weren't many other people that were there on Sunday, so the space between us was very suitable.  I can see how a more popular night would be a bit less romantic and more crowded though.All in all however, the skyline + rooftop combo was so magical, and the tapas were large enough where ordering 2-3 per person was enough (just make sure you ask them which tapas are generously rationed....some orders can actually be SMAAAAALLL portions).  Oh, and beware, the French onion soup is a ball of cheese with hardly any liquid.....consider yourself warned :)

by d. h.Ani P.Semra E.Paul M.Chris D.

Went for a late Saturday brunch with a group that took up 1/2 of the atrium.  I received my french toast and smoked bacon side quickly, although I joined the group after they put their orders in.  The waiter appeared to get everyone's orders right (at least those of us at my table) and didn't give the few of us paying with credit cards attitude.  These are all basic elements of service, but I felt the need to mention it because DC is not a city known for exemplary customer service at its casual restaurants, esp. when large groups are involved...   I had been a little apprehensive about a brunch invite to Tabaq, because I expected the menu to have more East African or Mediterranean-inspired dishes.  I'm all about the basics when it comes to brunch.   It doesn't have to be sexed up, just give me killer pancakes or french toast, fruit, and your standard breakfast meats, and I'm happy.  I was pleased to find french toast and real bacon on the menu.  The food was decent.  Generous amount of french toast, with crispy, full-sized pieces of bacon.  Not much else to say about the food.  I can't see myself planning a trip there just for brunch, but if I felt the need for brunch at 3:30 on a Saturday, it would be an option if I was already in the area.It can get extremely bright in the atrium, so make sure you bring your shades if you had a night that made that 3:30 brunch a necessity.Well, there's an upstairs area that's outdoorish.  The views are okay.  Nothing to trip over and die for.  However, the stairs leading to the upstairs could kill you (high heels + one drink = flat on my ass).  I don't mind stairs.  I like cardio whenever it's possible. I ordered the mojito.  It was sweet and sucked.  My friend's chocolate martini tasted like coffee in a bad way and I like coffee (coffee fiend actually).This place is so whatever.I'm half Turkish and it's HARD to find food that reminds me of ANYTHING my grandma would have made for me as a kid, but...this keeps it classy and traditional with a dash of Middle Eastern fusion. Me likey, aloty. The view from the top floor might be the Jerry Maguire moment to be honest ("you had me at hello"), but outside of being wooed on the roof top there, they can make a mean cocktail, which I am most definitely into. The prices for these tapas can be a bit over the top for me, BUT...I understand that it's about the atmosphere that you get along with the food. Plus you get a work out walking up 5 flights of stairs just to get to the top floor. I think the location is prime because no high rise new condos have blocked out the actual traditional view that THAT part of DC had before everyone and their mama started venturing into the neighborhood. Best place to take friends visiting from out of town and you want a quick something before you start bar hopping the U St. strip. Make SURE that you make a reservation for the roof top tables because it's the one part that gets filled up immediately after a certain hour no matter what day of the week it is, but especially on Fri. Sat. and Sun. nightsOn a recent evening, having walked away from a one hour wait at Bistrot Du Coin, and a two hour wait at Marvin, this place welcomed us and we were the only people there at about 9.00pm. It soon got busy, but the food was barely average and the drinks werel ess than memorable.I came here years ago the week it opened and sat at the bar and had some lovely drinks. It seems somehow a buit downdy now - it is  - at all of 10 or 12 years old-  the Gtrand old Dame of the new improved U street, but I think there are better options around....Ehh.. The food was alright, actually pretty decent. The happy hour was good.. Buy 1 drink get one free.. But the drinks were subpar. Not really that great. I might go back for the food, but probably steer clear from any cocktails..

by Stephanie T.

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would.I cannot even begin to express to you my hatred for Tabaq Bistro. In fact, I can only think of one place in all of DC that I will never step foot in again and, congratulations, Tabaq, you've definitely earned it.My boyfriend and I rolled in here one sunny weekend morning for brunch. We were on a loose schedule - we arrived some time around 11:30AM and he needed to be somewhere by 3PM (somehow, they still managed to miraculously make him miss his 3PM appointment). We were led to the rooftop for our brunch, which presented us with an incredible view of the U Street Corridor in all its glory. Needless to say, the view was the only positive aspect of this miserable experience.While we were seated almost immediately, it took us damn near 30 minutes just to order. We literally had to place our drink orders (nothing special - coffee and a mimosa) THREE TIMES. In the end, we only ever received the coffee, and never the mimosa.And I haven't even gotten to the food yet.Upon ordering our meal (I picked the Belgian waffle with Nutella), we passed on our menus to a patient and hungry-looking couple at the table next to us (clearly, they had been neglected too). If I had known that their moronic waitstaff would not remember to place our order, I would have kept my menu on-hand. We waited. And waited. And waited. At least three neighboring parties had been seated, served, and left before we could even THINK about receiving our meals. Mind you, we reminded our waitress multiple times only to be told that it would be on its way momentarily. I should have taken this as a sign and simply left.By this point in time, my boyfriend and I had taken bets as to when we would receive our food. I placed my bet on the fact that she most likely forgot to place our order and would come back in a half hour to ask, in a sideways manner to deflect any blame we might place on her, what we had ordered. Not only did I win this bet, our waitress managed to pin the blame on anything and anyone but herself.When we eventually received our food, approximately TWO HOURS LATER, I was completely underwhelmed. My attempt to set aside my sour experience with the horrific service did not help the food taste any better whatsoever. For an $8 Belgian waffle, it was approximately the size and the quality of something I could have popped out of my own $30 waffle-maker at home - but less filling. I'm not sure how they had the balls to still make us pay for this ridiculous meal, considering that in the time we were stuck there, I could have driven home to Herndon, made a Belgian waffle, eaten it, and then driven back.Unless you want to waste 3.5 hours (yes, we were there for that long) eating overpriced, mediocre food, do yourself a favor and go to Saint Ex down the street. As for me, nothing can be done to replace those 3.5 hours of my life that I lost to this horrific experience.(Note: I should also add that it was not exceptionally busy. I'm a fair and forgiving person, having spent years in the retail/food business. However, in their case there is simply no excuse for such awful service.)

by Kim H.

Went to Tabaq Saturday night for drinks.  We got there around 12 and the first floor lounge was completely dead.  Walked up 4 flights up stairs and there was and upper deck section with a retractable roof.  It was slightly more crowded up there.  The DJ was great.  He played a lot of old school 90's hip hop.  Other than that, the place wasn't that great.  Go there with good company or else you'll be bored.

by Tara T.

Tabaq is another trendy "bistro" in the U Street corridor, serving mezze, tapas and other small plates, mixing overpriced signature martinis, and offering a decor full of Ikea and Pier 1.  That said, there is a lot about Tabaq that people overlook.From it's glass rooftop terrace, Tabaq offers one of the only DC skyline views in the U St/Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant area.  The daytime view is less than great, but at night the street lights blur the worn down row houses and a great view of the Washington Monument can be enjoyed.  I believe when they first opened, Tabaq controlled the flow into the terrace bar - once the tables and bar seats were full, people were no longer permitted to enter.  I've noticed more recently that the upstairs bar has been a bit more crowded, but you'll never find yourself "three deep" at the bar or waiting more then a few minutes for the bartender's attention.The "signature" martinis are overpriced, but there are a few gems on the menu that stick out for the average too-sweet, flavored vodka standards.  The Lychee combines vanilla and citron Bacardi with lychee juice and fresh fruit for a tangy, not too sweet cocktail.  The Fiore combines an artisinal French liqueur, St Germain Elderflowers, with Absolut and champagne for a light, flowery, fragrant springtime flavor.The bartenders are hit or miss - sometimes the drinks cause your face to pucker form the bite of too much vodka, other times you find yourself wondering if you just bought a $13 Snapple in a fancy glass - on a good day they're perfectly mixed and worth the price.Besides the rooftop terrace, Tabaq offers a cozy red lounge on the first floor with comfy ottomans and small tables, the main dining room with less then great services and mediocre food, and a private room decked out with art by local artists and a full A/V system for private parties.My take on Tabaq is that the service and food are definitely sub par, the five flights of stairs can be annoying, and the bathroom is generally far away no matter where you're seated - but the concept is spot on.  If you're patient and laid-back, give this spot a try just for the experience.

by Ani P.

Well, there's an upstairs area that's outdoorish.  The views are okay.  Nothing to trip over and die for.  However, the stairs leading to the upstairs could kill you (high heels + one drink = flat on my ass).  I don't mind stairs.  I like cardio whenever it's possible. I ordered the mojito.  It was sweet and sucked.  My friend's chocolate martini tasted like coffee in a bad way and I like coffee (coffee fiend actually).This place is so whatever.

by R C.

I came here twice for dinner and brunch and enjoyed it both times. Brunch - Tabaq is the place to go on Saturdays and Sundays if you want to avoid the long waits in the Dupont and Logan Circle restaurants. You can get seated in under 5 minutes and have a pleasant brunch experience without the intrusive feeling at a place like After Word Cafe at Kramer's. Additionally, the prices at Tabaq are relatively low ($8 for Benedicts) and the options include fruit or something else. I recommend the Norwegian Benedict which are two poached eggs and salmon served on an English muffin (?). The $3 mimosas and Bloody Mary's are also great to jumpstart your morning. The service was superb and I have to thank our server who allowed my friend and I to hold our table of 6 until the rest of our entourage finally poured in 30 minutes later.

by Samantha R.

Awkward space for dancing, my first night there five of us stopped in lured by the DJ seen spinnin' from the window. While the music was on point the floor was practically empty, besides my small group 4 others sat at the bar and the bartenders entertained themselves and us by doing vogue walks down the middle of the empty dining room turned runway. It was perfect for us that night, we had plenty of space to spread out and dance and act a fool but I can't imagine what it would be like if it was even half full, so narrow and long it would be impossible to move. Subsequent visits have been to hang out on the roof and to see a band performance on the third level. The roof is definitely the best part of this place, glass encased views for days and, for what it is, a decent amount of bar and table space, although again once it's at capacity even the servers seem to have a difficult time moving around. Still the roof is definitely one of my top picks in the city to meet up with friends for drinks. Just know ladies that you'll be climbing 4 flights of stairs so be careful, it would suck to be looking cute wearing your fly stilettos only to end up taking a misstep and falling flat on your ass. As a performance space Tabaq falls short. The narrowness of the layout makes it impossible to view the band unless you're in the front two rows and once you're there decide not to get thirsty or have to use the bathroom cause if you leave your spot you have no chance in hell of getting it back. Stick to appreciating the view and enjoying the drinks and you won't be disappointed...