Dirt Cheap Eats 2008: Arax Cafe

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Kate Nerenberg , Rina Rapuano

Arax Cafe

5852 N. Washington Blvd.
Arlington, VA
Phone: 703.532.3320

Cuisines:
Middle Eastern

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
East Falls Church
Ballston-MU

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Intimate

Reservations:
Not Accepted

Special Features:
Kid Friendly

Best Dishes
Homemade ice cream; khorabia; baklava; cheese-filled pastries; meat pizzas; stuffed grape leaves; baba ghanoush; hummus.

Price Details:
Bakery selections, $1 to $4.75.


 

Reader's Rating:
No Reader Reviews

This coffeehouse with wrought-iron furniture and dark wood floors is a snug spot to ponder the cosmos. Besides the usual lattes and macchiatos, you’ll find strong, cardamom-scented Armenian coffee ($2.25) and sweets, a nod to the owners’ heritage.

Of the various types of baklava, the roll filled with cashews and the classic walnut-layered diamond (both $1.59) are first-rate. Also good are such Western desserts as chocolate-walnut bundt cake ($3.25 a slice) and an addictive graham-cracker square laden with cashews, walnuts, pistachios, and caramel ($3.75). If you need real sustenance, there are meat “pizzas” on the thinnest of crusts ($2.75), homey lentil soup ($5.25), and top-notch tabbouleh ($5.25). Open Monday through Saturday 8 am to 9 pm.

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