Sunday in the Mediterranean at Agora
Agora at 1527, 17th Street NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
Borderstan welcomes new contributor Sarah Lipman. You can email her at sarah[AT]@borderstan.com.
After walking past Agora time after time, I finally paid my first visit to the lively restaurant on Sunday. It certainly lived up to my expectations.
On Sunday nights at Agora, $24.99 will afford you a four-course dinner featuring their signature Turkish/Greek mezes. Add $12.99 to that and you can help yourself to unlimited house alcohol, including red and white wine, vodka, gin, tequila, rum and martinis. My boyfriend and I went for the deal.
Our hearts were set on eating outside on the patio, so we put our name in and started our night at the bar. The weathered red brick and wood throughout the restaurant gives the interior a homey, neighborhood feel, and the bar is bright and exposed.
We began the evening with a Greek red wine and the creamy cured roe spread, served with piping hot pita bread and complimentary olive tapenade served in olive oil.
On the whole, the dishes were high on flavor, and the best of the bunch showcased pine nuts and hints of lemon. Can’t-miss dishes included:
- Kibbeh, slightly sweet beef and lamb dumplings
- Veal sweetbreads in a creamy sauce
- Eggplant covered in ground beef and lamb
- Zuchinni pancakes
- The flaky baklava filled with pistachios
After small plate-style dining, I sometimes find myself heading to my neighborhood pizza joint for a quick slice, but after my dinner at Agora, I was beyond stuffed.
Located on 17th Street NW between Church and Q Streets, the patio is a prime spot for people watching, and you’ll certainly see people of all types and all walks of life. Needless to say, I’ll be back.
Agora
- Where am I going: 1527 17th Street NW, between Church and Q Streets.
- When am I going: Dinner is served 5 to 11 pm, Sunday through Wednesday, and 5 pm to midnight, Thursday through Saturday. Lunch is served 11 am to 3 pm, weekdays. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 3 pm. The Happy Hour menu is available weekdays, 3 to 7 pm.
- Paycheck pain: The four-course Sunday special is $24.99, and each small plate runs from $5 to $14.
- What you’ll be eating: Mediterranean fusion small plates, including Turkish and Greek flavors
