Bistro Aracosia 5100 MacArthur Boulevard Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20016

"I only regret that I can give Bistro Aracosia only 5 stars (or that I have given other restaurants 5 stars in comparison). They have many options for carnivores and vegetarians. The food here has layers and nuances that are hard to describe. It is as if Mediterranean food married gourmet Indian food and they had a child. I have eaten near the Champs-Élysées in Paris, in the Trieste district of Rome, on Mount Lycabettus in Athens, in the Mountains of Crete, in the Medina in Tangier Morocco, and many more; this is the best food I've eaten. The atmosphere is great as are the acoustics, we enjoyed quiet conversations in a busy restaurant."

"I am currently sitting here contemplating the meal I just had at this amazing restaurant. It would be an understatement to say that this food is simply amazing. The flavors, the spices, the perfectly cooked lamb that fell off the bone and finally the cardamom cake were each just spectacular. And the service was so pleasant with recommendations and descriptions of the menu. What a treasure to have enjoyed this meal. Thank you to all. PS: do not miss any of the dumplings"

"Enjoyed dinner here as part of a large group in their back room, 4 tables seating 7 or 8 folk. Started with a sampler of four appetizers: spicy beef dumplings, leek & scallion dumplings, roasted eggplant and butternut squash. My favorite was the butternut squash topped with garlic yogurt for its savory taste. The Afghan flatbread served with appetizers was the right amount of chewy and enjoyable with the yogurt dip. Others had a variety of entrees, I had the Qabuli Palou: lamb shank falling off the bone accompanied by basmati rice with shredded carrots and raisins. It was delicious but provided enough for the next day's lunch. Others were okay but not thrilled with their choices: aushak (steamed dumplings filled with leeks and scallions but swimming in a bowl of sauce), chicken thighs in a tomato based stew, lamb kabobs. Folks at the table tried 3 desserts: an almond cake that did not taste like almonds, a rose water flavored custard that was tasteless and a pistachio custard that did taste of pistachios. The service for our group was outstanding and many folks agreed with me that they would return."

"This place is just so amazing.. no other way to describe it. Everyone MUST try. We come to DC once a year fell Delaware to done here. Just gets better each time!!!"

"Aracosia is another hole in the wall establishment. This was my first time trying Afghan food and did not know what to expect. Good thing I went because the food was out of this world. Each dish was unique in its own sense. Very Flavorful. Ordered Lamb Shank Moghuli and it was absolutely succulent. The meat was fall off the bone good. Also ordered the Chicken Aracosian, Hot Mazza Assortment Platter, Beef tenderloin and lamb chops platter and Rose Water Ice Cream. Come and try this place when you are in the area. You won't regret it"