Restaurant Review- Tabaq

Last night I tried Tabaq on 13th and U for the first time. Its a turkish/middle eastern restaurant with mostly tapas and a few main courses. I like the atmosphere there, its got more style than a bar but without feeling too pretentious or loungey (is that a word?). The heat in DC finally got down to a nice temperature so it was a perfect night to dine on the roof terrace. We were seated right away and I had a nice vantage point to people watch as well as see the view of the city. I know the owner of Tabaq from my days as an ID-less college student drinking overpriced apple-martinis (to look sophisticated, obviously) at his former place Meze, on 18th Street in Adams Morgan. Meze now has different owners and still serving over-priced drinks, last I checked. He was very attentive to us throughout the entire evening, making sure the waiter was bringing everything out on time, and eager to re-fill drinks! The highlight of my meal was the bread and dipping sauce that was sort of a very soupy olive-oily pesto, delicious. I also chose from a few tapas, a salad with a tangy pomegranate dressing, babaganoush, and spinach cigar borak served with a tomato salsa/sauce which complemented the feta cheese and made the dish much more flavorful. Don't let the pomegranate dressing turn you off, they don't try to do anything too crazy to the traditional dishes. I like that simplicity in this age of cuisine fusion and a constant need for innovation. Well made dishes in a good atmosphere, works for me!