Restaurants in Cambridge

In the dead of night in 1976, the Abi-Najm family boarded a cargo ship bringing only what they could carry; an escape from Civil War in Lebanon called for a quick getaway. They traveled across the ocean to safety in Arlington, Virginia, where they were able to open a small restaurant in 1979. To save money, they changed the eatery’s name from “Athenian Taverna” to “Lebanese Taverna” so that they only had to update one word on the eatery’s marquee.

From these modest beginnings grew a series of eateries that today comprises of six restaurants and four quick-service cafés, all still operated by the Abi-Najm clan. One look at the menu explains the success: chicken shawarma, spicy hummus, lamb tartare—all Lebanese staples that helped the restaurant earn a spot on Northern Virginia magazine's list of 25 Iconic Eats. There's even kibbeh, or stuffed meatballs, which blend ground beef, lamb, almonds, and pine nuts into fried spheres suitable for felling miniature bowling pins on top of the table before entrees arrive. The decor is as striking as the cuisine; inside the Bethesda location, light filters through the colored glass lanterns that decorate the dining room.

Founded three decades ago by a group of friends that simply wanted barbecue, jazz, and a place to sit, Red Hot & Blue grew from its original Arlington location to the robust chain it is today, spreading southern flavors and hospitality to the north. As hickory smoke wafts from kitchen grills, chefs slather sweet barbecue sauces and massage dry spices into ribs, pork, and brisket slow roasted for hours until melty and tender. The sound of classic blues tunes drifts from speakers, and the paraphernalia of the genre's greatest talents bedeck every inch of the walls, from instruments wielded by famous hands to the rock on which Mamie Smith stubbed her toe before emitting the world's first blues croon.:m]]

Servers whisk roasted quail stuffed with pancetta cornbread and grilled filet mignon to white-clothed tables. Dishes like these might have been served on a transatlantic cruise aboard the SS Normandie, which is the inspiration for the stately dining room's interior. Renowned for its lavish and art-deco decor, the 1930s-era cruise ship graces the dining room's walls in a color print—which was actually purchased on the ship—and the very same eye-catching zodiac globes that entranced guests in the ship's dining room dangle from the hammered tin ceiling at Harry Browne's. As guests dine on freshly angled bounty such as meaty lump crab cakes, grilled rainbow trout, and cream of crab stew, they can gaze out at views of the historic Maryland State House from the interior's façade of small-paned windows or on the outdoor patio, which is relatively free of feral lieutenant governors.

Having earned Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge the headline of Best New Restaurant in Annapolis in The Travel Bite in 2011, chef David Thomas beckons diners to taste his blend of American fusion fare steeped in a farm-to-table philosophy. Sidestepping culinary school, Thomas honed his craft in kitchens throughout New York City and the mid-Atlantic, developing his passion for French cooking techniques and fresh, organic ingredients. Gourmands feast upon Thomas' creations—made with mostly local products including grass-fed beef and marine-certified seafood—within a three-level dining space that opens to a sidewalk patio refreshingly free of dive-bombing parakeets. Barkeeps pour a selection of craft beers and wines, mix specialty cocktails, and serve a selection of liquors, including short-run spirits. On select dates, live entertainment ranging from local musicians to sock-puppet renditions of Shakespeare regales diners.

Tsunami’s dim lighting is an abstract burlesque, enrobing tables in an air of mystery while exposing the beauty that lies on the plates. In the darkness, diners can focus on the flavors placed before them, considering each hint of sweet and savory. At the bar, mixologists teach exotic spirits how to mingle gracefully, blending tequila and botanical liqueurs to form cocktails such as the Green Regal and Humpaloma. From here, genial servers whisk more than two dozen varieties of craft beer to thirsty patrons pondering menus filled with Asian-inspired fusion fare and more than 50 types of sushi conceived by executive chef Bobby Massa. A lineup of maki sports geographical influences, from the sriracha and avocadoes of the Miami roll to the smoked salmon, cream cheese, and taxi honks of the New Yorker roll. Filled with gourmet creations such as ahi tuna wonton tacos and wok-seared sea scallops with lemongrass-guava coulis, the restaurant’s hot fare highlights Chef Massa’s whimsy, inventiveness, and extensive culinary training.

Dancing Dinosaur, Fancy Spider, and Green Godzilla—they sound like movie monsters, but they're more likely to attract a crowd than to cause people to flee. That's because these are the names of sushi rolls on Katana Sushi's menu, which boasts more than 40 types of hand and specialty rolls made from such colorful ingredients as squash, yellowtail, and mango sauce. Katana's chefs also slice sashimi from red snapper and sweet shrimp, and they craft such fusion entrees as salmon teriyaki and chicken katsu. These entrees arrive accompanied by an entourage of green salad, miso soup, and a mound of rice shaped like the former key grip of Entourage.