3. Nizam’S
City: Vienna, VA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (703) 938-8948
Address: 523 Maple Avenue West
Description: You’ll find plenty of people who will argue that Nizam’s is the region’s best Turkish restaurant. Small and attractive as a jewel box, Nizam’s is famous for its house special, doner kebab. Slices of lamb are marinated in yogurt and Turkish spices, then stacked on a vertical rotisserie spit and slow-roasted. The result is fragrant, crusty, juicy slices of meat served with pita bread and yogurt seasoned in the Middle Eastern style. Although doner kebab is such a major project, Nizam’s prepares it every evening. You’ll also do fine with such delicacies as marinated lamb in a variety of styles, beef tenderloin, stuffed grape leaves, and assorted eggplant preparations. Nizam’s is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday, dinner Tuesday through Sunday; it is closed Monday.