AMBAR Named # One Diners' Choice Winner in District of Columbia By OpenTable

Ambar, the nation’s capital’s first Balkan restaurant is pleased to announce the restaurant’s recent recognition as the number one Diners' Choice Winner, Best Value category, in the District of Columbia by OpenTable. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews, and sort the results by category to help Washington, DC residents discover new favorites.

Known for showcasing the favored dishes from the Balkan Peninsula with a modern twist, Washingtonians tapped Ambar's Balkan Experience as the very best value with prices starting at $35 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) for unlimited small plates. Guests can also opt for both unlimited small plates and unlimited drinks, from a select menu, for $49 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), or unlimited small plates, mixed meat platters and seafood platters with unlimited drinks for $59 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Whatever option one chooses, the Balkan Experience must be ordered for the table.

Guests can look forward to menu highlights prepared by Chef Ivan Zivkovic including Ajvar Spread with pepper, eggplant, and garlic; Beets Tzatziki with yogurt, roasted beets, and garlic; Meat Pie with crispy phyllo, beef and pork, and garlic yogurt; Mushroom Flatbread with pizza shiitake, crimini, button oyster mushrooms, arugula, cheese; Zucchini Soup with potato and sundried tomato; Balkan Salad with tomato, pepper, cucumber, onion, and aged cow cheese; Cabbage Casuela with braised cabbage, dry pepper, and yogurt; Tartare Steak with pork “cracklins,” sundried tomato butter, pickled vegetables, onion, and capers; Roasted Mushroom Crepes with red pepper emulsion, veloute, and gouda; Balkan Kebab with house-ground beef and veal, scallions, paprika; Stuffed Sour Cabbage with potato mash, pork belly, rice, and yogurt; Grilled Calamari With Gremolata with fresh herbs, diced pepper, and lemon; Slow Cooked Pork with Yukon potato mash and cabbage slaw, or the Drunken Mussels with Rakia, garlic, capers, lemon, and somun. A la carte menu item range in price from $6 to $13.

For the perfect pairing, guests can sip on unlimited house red, white and sparking wine, Yuengling Lager, as well as craft cocktails like the Sarajevo Old Fashioned with plum rakia, bourbon, bitters, and cane syrup; Pomegranate Collins with vodka, pomegranate syrup, and lemon; Margarita with tequila, agave nectar, and lime; Mango Lemonade with vodka, mango, and lemon; Berry Daisy with vodka, mixed berry puree, and sour mix; and the Mojito with Bacardi’s Castillo rum, mint, and lime. A la carte cocktails range in price from $9 to $13.

Ambar is located at

523 8th Street, SE. 

Valet parking is available Wednesday through Saturday from 4 PM to close and is priced at $10 per car. The restaurant takes limited reservations and walk-ins are welcome. Ambar serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM, dinner Sunday through Thursday, from 4 PM to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturday, from 4 PM to 11 PM. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Happy hour specials are offered from 4 PM to 7 PM Monday through Friday. 

For additional information, call (202) 813-3039 and/or visit www.ambarrestaurant.com.