This past Friday, Jason and I were on a quest to find a place where we could take advantage of the balmy weather by dining al fresco. We decided to park ourselves on the outdoor patio of
Mama Ayesha's, the little Middle Eastern restaurant which sits on Calvert Street right between Adams Morgan and Woodley Park - perfect for people watching on a Friday night. I'm surprised I hadn't been to Mama Ayesha's before, given its proximity to my apartment, but it's one of those places that I always seem to pass by on my way to somewhere else.
I'm glad we decided to give it a try because, if Friday's meal is any indication, Mama Ayesha's is definitely a strong contender for my short list of neighborhood favorites. With such a great location and gorgeous decor, Mama's could probably get away with serving so-so food, but there were no signs of laziness coming out of this kitchen, now run by the nephews and great nephews of its namesake chef, "Mama" Ayesha Abraham. Almaza, a light and refreshing Lebanese beer, proved a perfect accompaniment to the warm weather and low-key vibe. An appetizer of Foole M'damas
(fava beans blended with fresh lemon juice, cumin, and a hint of fresh garlic topped with fresh tomatoes and red onions) provided an earthy counterpoint to crispy triangles of pita bread, and paired perfectly with an order of Sujok, densely flavored spicy beef sausages.
The yummy appetizers were a fitting prelude to our wonderful entrees. I had the Mouzat,
a lamb shank baked in a tomato stew with "secret spices," served with rice and green beans. Our server informed me that the lamb is cooked for three hours, and judging by the way the tender meat fell effortlessly away from the bone, I'm inclined to believe him. Jason had the Mixed Grill, a combination of
shish kabab (marinated lamb), kifta kabab (marinated beef), and shish taouk (marinated chicken breast) served with rice and grilled vegetables. The bite, ok,
bites I pilfered yielded more delicious tenderness.
Alas, we were too full for dessert, though the Arabian Rice Pudding made with rose water sounded like a great way to end a great meal. I'll definitely have to make a return trip to see for myself.
Good to know:
Mama Ayesha's is located at
1967 Calvert Street, a quick walk from the Woodley Park Metro stop (Red line). Upon exiting the Metro, walk south on Connecticut and take a left on Calvert. Mama Ayesha's will be on the left hand side after you cross the bridge.
Atmosphere is casual.